Aiko Tanaka
Film editor, 28
I've been invited to join those kinds of sites but I don't use them — they're too much trouble. Sometimes strange people will try to contact you. MySpace is good for hearing bands and DJs, though.

Tomohisa Hirano
Ring-tone programmer, 28
I use Mixi to contact friends in foreign countries. When I meet them in Japan it feels like it hasn't been a long time since we saw each other because we speak on Mixi. So I already know what's new with them.

Nathan Berry
Video game firm employee, 28 (Aussie)
I use those kinds of social networking sites to meet new people. I have been able to meet prospective models for my side-job as a photographer.

Samantha Seghers
Translator, 36 (Australian)
I use one site because friends kept sending me invites. I don't like that people can find you, I would rather use regular e-mail to keep in touch with the people I want to. Those sites make socializing impersonal.

Loftur Thorarinsson
Student, 24 (Icelandic)
I spend too much time on them. I think Facebook is good for keeping in touch with people you already know. Mixi is good for meeting people with similar hobbies. It's fun to be a voyeur with your friends.

Maremi Watanabe
Filmmaker, 29
I don't use the sites that often, but I use them to see friends' pictures and see what they are up to. The extra perks such as games and "vampire bites" can be a bit annoying, but I always end up using them.