Social networking system, method and device

A system for use in a social network environment comprising:

• a first computer system communicatively coupled to a first computer network, said first computer system comprising a data processor and a memory and being configured for at least partly providing a first social network environment, the first social network environment having a multitude of different social groups;
• an account component configured for storing a first user account in said memory and storing a second user account, said second user account being different from said first user account;
• a subscription component for establishing a first subscription in which said second user account is subscribed to said first user account;
• and
• a real-time news ticker component configured for providing, per said first subscription, a plurality of real-time news items pertaining to said first user account when said second user account is in use;
• and wherein:
• said first social network environment comprises a first social group that is one of said multitude of different social groups, said first social group being selected from the group consisting of:
• (i) a group pertaining to a first academic institution;
• (ii) a group pertaining to a first religious institution;
• (iii) a group pertaining to a first club;
• and
• (iv) a group pertaining to a first interest;
• and wherein:
• said plurality of real-time news items comprises a first real-time news item, said first real-time news item comprising a first URL or a first link to said first URL;
• and wherein:
• a security comparison check is performed of said first URL such that said first URL is verified to satisfy a first criterion for inclusion in said plurality of real-time news items.

A social network method comprising:

• receiving first account information at a first computer system via a first computer network, said first computer system comprising a data processor and a memory;
• storing said first account information in a first user account in said memory;
• storing a second user account, said first user account being different from said second user account;
• verifying, via a first computer network, a relationship between said first user account and a first entity, wherein said first entity is one of a multitude of different entities in said social network;
• receiving, via said first computer network a first subscription in which said second user account is subscribed to said first user account;
• and
• distributing, via said first computer network, when said second user account is in use, a real-time news ticker per said first subscription, said real-time news ticker comprising real-time news related to said first user account or said first entity.

A social network method comprising:

• submitting first account information from a first computer system to a second computer system via a first computer network, said first computer system comprising a data processor and a memory;
• logging into, via said first computer network, a first account in a social network environment, said first account being affiliated with a first entity, wherein said first entity is one of a multitude of different entities in said social network;
• demonstrating, via said first computer network, access in accordance with a first account verification requirement;
• and
• providing, via said first computer network, real time news pertaining to said first entity, said providing news comprising submitting, via said first computer network, first content for inclusion in a first real-time news ticker, wherein:
• said first real-time news ticker is configured to at least partly cause display of said first content when a second account is in use;
• and
• said second account is different from said first account.