Hupfer said that by connecting with local businesses like restaurants and pool halls, indymojo.com is able to sponsor events in the Indianapolis area and advertise them on the Web site.

“By doing that, people have an opportunity to connect with the people they meet online in real life,” he said. “It supports an offline community.”

Additionally, indymojo.com offers users features like forums, photo galleries, blogs, advice columns, coupons and vouchers and video uploads.

Erin Stout, a Pendleton resident who grew up in Anderson, is a member of indymojo.com and was looking for a way to amp up her social life when she heard of the Web site.

“I got to a point where I was bored with my social life,” she said. “I wanted to meet new people, and I have.”

Stout is a member of both Myspace and Facebook, but she said that she appreciates the opportunities provided by indymojo.com.

“It’s more personal,” she said. “I’ve been able to get to know local people on a personal basis. I’ve made real friendships.”

Stout also said, happily, that since joining indymojo.com, she’s gone out more.

“I’ve got no excuse to sit at home with nothing to do,” she said.

Additionally, Stout recently began volunteering with indymojo.com events, something that Hupfer depends on to keep the site running properly.

“Up until January, I was the site’s only paid employee,” he said. “Now we have a promotions manager, yes, but the key to our success is our street team members who coordinate grassroots events to get our name out there.”

Though social-networking sites offer a way for users to keep in touch with their friends, it’s important to know how much information is too much information, especially when children are accessing these Web sites.

“Predators are always out there,” said Lynn Hobbs, library director of the Pendleton Community Library. “Social-networking sites are a good way for them to find what they like.”