1. A computer-implemented system for accessing media content shared with a social network, the computer-implemented system comprising: a processor; and a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereupon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a request from a first user of the social network to access shared media content associated with a second user of the social network, in response to receiving the request, obtain information identifying the shared media content and initiate a search of a data storage device local to a computer associated with the first user for determining whether the data storage device has an authorized copy of the shared media content stored thereupon, the search being based upon the information identifying the shared media content, determine that the data storage device has the authorized copy of the shared media content stored thereupon, cause one or more user interface controls to be provided for utilizing the shared media content on the data storage device local to the computer associated with the first user in response to determining that the data storage device has the authorized copy of the shared media content stored thereupon, determine that the data storage device does not have the authorized copy of the shared media content stored thereupon, and cause one or more user interface controls to be provided for obtaining the authorized copy of the shared media content in response to determining the data storage device does not have the authorized copy of the shared media content stored thereupon.