Does social network site use matter for mothers? Implications for bonding and bridging capital

• Frequency of SNS use is positively related to mothers’ bonding social capital.
• Number of SNS activities positively affects bonding and bridging social capital.
• The association between parental SNS use and social capital varies by child age.

Utilizing a national sample of mothers, we explored the impact of attitudes toward technology and comfort with technology on frequency of social network site use and number of social network site activities. We then extended that model to consider the implications of social network site use on bonding and bridging social capital. Path analysis revealed that mothers’ age impacted their comfort with technology which was associated with their number of social network site activities. Frequency of social network site use was positively related to mothers’ reports of bonding social capital. The number of social network site activities, on the other hand, was positively related to both bonding and bridging social capital. These associations varied by child age. Implications of these findings for future research are discussed.