The Role of Social Networks in Apologies

Social networks can help people deal with a sensitive issue because they can each confide in the others. This is a common thing that social networks do outside of the context of apology, but it seems especially useful in the context of an apology. In effect, the quote unquote public apology is really not as public as it seems. It isn't directed at all the people who hear it. It's directed at like a subset of people who are upset with each other.