Network is used to describe an entity made up of connections. As a fairly broad term, the definition has changed over the years, and is most commonly used as the umbrella term for information technologies in the modern digital age. The text shows how network can be used in a multitude of ways, primarily being a mediated forum for sharing personal information, organised crime, and a lifestyle or cultural norm. Another aspect of networks are the hierarchies of power that they are built on, with different levels of power used for organization. When trying to understand the concept of a network, I was reminded of the movie “The Social Network” about the creation of Facebook. The creation of Facebook showed the clear presence of hierarchical power, as the platform was originally only available to college students within a select group of schools. The ability to be “connected” on Facebook was determined by its creator Mark Zuckerberg, whose goal was to created a platform that allowed for the rapid spread of personal information that would allow college students to form digital connections and relationships with one another. Since the creation of Facebook, the concept of social networks have taken the world by storm, creating a cultural norm of sharing personal information online in order to be connected to people and the world around us. 
image from the 2010 film “The Social Network”
I agree with your analysis of facebook’s creation being a catalyst of the social networks shown in apps. I believe another interesting app to focus on is Snapchat. This first started as an app where pictures could be sent as a means of communication and then it transitioned to sharing videos of where you are to all of your friends. This creates a different network because your friends can see where you are and what you are doing. People can meet you in places where you post or comment and ask what you are doing. They can also see your location on the snap map location part of the app. This creates a community of people who know where their friends are if their friends are interactive with the app.
I agree that the Social Network movie clearly reflected the notion of hierarchies within networks. Clearly Mark Zuckerberg represented the highest point in the Facebook chain of command, with his coworkers becoming less and less relevant and powerful, lowering their position on the scale of networking importance. Additionally, I thought that Mark’s original approach to sharing “personal” information of college students was unethical. However, as the platform became a space to form genuine connections by making the platform more about positive social interactions, I believe that Facebook transformed into the model of what we consider “networking” today.