Improving the robustness of online social networks: A simulation approach of network interventions
METADATA ONLY
Loading...
Author / Producer
Date
2019-10-31
Publication Type
Working Paper
ETH Bibliography
yes
Citations
Altmetric
METADATA ONLY
Data
Rights / License
Abstract
Online social networks (OSN) are prime examples of socio-technical systems in which individuals interact via a technical platform. OSN are very volatile because users enter and exit and frequently change their interactions. This makes the robustness of such systems difficult to measure and to control. To quantify robustness, we propose a coreness value obtained from the directed interaction network. We study the emergence of large drop-out cascades of users leaving the OSN by means of an agent-based model. For agents, we define a utility function that depends on their relative reputation and their costs for interactions. The decision of agents to leave the OSN depends on this utility. Our aim is to prevent drop-out cascades by influencing specific agents with low utility. We identify strategies to control agents in the core and the periphery of the OSN such that drop-out cascades are significantly reduced, and the robustness of the OSN is increased.
Permanent link
Publication status
published
External links
Editor
Book title
Journal / series
Volume
Pages / Article No.
1910.14562
Publisher
Cornell University
Event
Edition / version
Methods
Software
Geographic location
Date collected
Date created
Subject
Organisational unit
03682 - Schweitzer, Frank (emeritus) / Schweitzer, Frank (emeritus)
Notes
Funding
Related publications and datasets
Is previous version of: