Abstract: The invention provides a method of managing an online social network for peer interactions, the method comprising: a) creating at least one sphere for users to associate over a common interest; b) identifying patterns associated with activity indicative of the common interest; c) monitoring the online actions of at least one user of the social network; d) evaluating the online actions taken by the at least one user; and e) comparing the online actions to the identified patterns associated with interest in the sphere category.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for managing an online social network, the method including the steps of: a) identifying patterns associated with inappropriate user activity; a) monitoring the online actions of at least one user of the social network; b) evaluating online actions taken by the at least one user; and c) comparing the online actions to the identified patterns associated with inappropriate activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for managing an online social network, the method comprising: establishing criteria for membership in a social network; receiving a request to participate in the social network; obtaining information about the requester; verifying the actual identify of the requester; and determining the eligibility of the requester to participate in the social network based on the established criteria.