Di Zhu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China, and Secretary General of the Chinese Sociological Association’s Research Committee on Sociology of Consumption. Her interests include the sociology of consumption, sustainable consumption, social stratification and research methods, and youth consumer culture.Yijin He, Ph.D., is Lecturer, Beijing University of Technology, China. He does research in sociological theories, methodology, social networks and youth culture.Feng Tian is Researcher, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China. Tian’s research focuses on population sociology, youth studies, and social network.

• Chapter 1. Indroduction.-Chapter 2. Life Begins HERE: Theory and Methodology of Empowerment Through the Internet.-Chapter 3. Evolution from the Internet to Social Networks.-Chapter 4. Evolution of Internet Policies at the Macro Level.-Chapter 5. Assessment of Internet Use Opportunities for Different Socioeconomic Groups.-Chapter 6. Reconstructing Life Opportunities for the Elderly in Social Networks.-Chapter 7. Comparison of Life Opportunities and Perceived Wellbeing for the Elderly Under the Structure of the Internet.-Chapter 8. Empowering Middle-aged People Through Social Networks.-Chapter 9. Connection Between Middle-aged People and Their Elderly Parents.-Chapter 10. How the Internet and Social Networks Empower Young People.- Chapter 11. The Connection Between Young and Old.-Bibliography.

Di Zhu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China, and Secretary General of the Chinese Sociological Association’s Research Committee on Sociology of Consumption. Her interests include the sociology of consumption, sustainable consumption, social stratification and research methods, and youth consumer culture.Yijin He, Ph.D., is Lecturer, Beijing University of Technology, China. He does research in sociological theories, methodology, social networks and youth culture.Feng Tian is Researcher, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China. Tian’s research focuses on population sociology, youth studies, and social network.

• Chapter 1. Indroduction.-Chapter 2. Life Begins HERE: Theory and Methodology of Empowerment Through the Internet.-Chapter 3. Evolution from the Internet to Social Networks.-Chapter 4. Evolution of Internet Policies at the Macro Level.-Chapter 5. Assessment of Internet Use Opportunities for Different Socioeconomic Groups.-Chapter 6. Reconstructing Life Opportunities for the Elderly in Social Networks.-Chapter 7. Comparison of Life Opportunities and Perceived Wellbeing for the Elderly Under the Structure of the Internet.-Chapter 8. Empowering Middle-aged People Through Social Networks.-Chapter 9. Connection Between Middle-aged People and Their Elderly Parents.-Chapter 10. How the Internet and Social Networks Empower Young People.- Chapter 11. The Connection Between Young and Old.-Bibliography.

Di Zhu, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China, and Secretary General of the Chinese Sociological Association’s Research Committee on Sociology of Consumption. Her interests include the sociology of consumption, sustainable consumption, social stratification and research methods, and youth consumer culture.Yijin He, Ph.D., is Lecturer, Beijing University of Technology, China. He does research in sociological theories, methodology, social networks and youth culture.Feng Tian is Researcher, Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China. Tian’s research focuses on population sociology, youth studies, and social network.

• Chapter 1. Indroduction.-Chapter 2. Life Begins HERE: Theory and Methodology of Empowerment Through the Internet.-Chapter 3. Evolution from the Internet to Social Networks.-Chapter 4. Evolution of Internet Policies at the Macro Level.-Chapter 5. Assessment of Internet Use Opportunities for Different Socioeconomic Groups.-Chapter 6. Reconstructing Life Opportunities for the Elderly in Social Networks.-Chapter 7. Comparison of Life Opportunities and Perceived Wellbeing for the Elderly Under the Structure of the Internet.-Chapter 8. Empowering Middle-aged People Through Social Networks.-Chapter 9. Connection Between Middle-aged People and Their Elderly Parents.-Chapter 10. How the Internet and Social Networks Empower Young People.- Chapter 11. The Connection Between Young and Old.-Bibliography.