A social network refers to a series of interconnected social relationships that links an individual directly to other people and, through them, indirectly to an even wider circle of individuals, forming a complex web of social connections. These networks can be based on various types of relationships, including friendship, kinship, work affiliations, shared interests, or online interactions, and they facilitate the flow of information, resources, social support, and influence among the individuals within them. The structure and characteristics of an individual's social network, such as its size, density, and the strength of its ties, can have significant implications for their opportunities, well-being, and social capital, which is the collective benefit derived from social connections and relationships.