Does social networking make us more or less social?

30/07/2010

Social networking makes it easier to contact people, but does it make it so easy that we don’t value that contact anymore?

Socially isolating

Experts are concerned that social networking is replacing ‘real’ relationships and a recent survey revealed the Facebook generation (18-34 year-olds) are twice as likely to feel lonely than over 55s.

Despite it being easier to keep in touch than ever before, we’ve realised our average 195 social networking ‘friends’  are no substitute for meeting a close friend for a coffee.

By following people’s updates, especially celebrity Tweets, we might feel we have made a connection with someone whose detailed life we observe…without them being aware of our existence, increasing a sense of isolation. But don’t despair, organisations like Befrienders can help you out.

Social networking etiquette is still being established and we run a risk of thoughtlessly writing something on someone’s wall that we would never dream of saying in real life. 

Measuring your own happiness and success against old classmates can lead to feelings of  inadequacy.  Social networking encourages us to constantly compare ourselves and our lives against others’ and it can make you feel dissatisfied with your own lot! 

Tot up how long you spend every week reading friends’ statuses and exchanges…why not ditch the wasted hours and meet up.  Social networking doesn’t leave you with that happy glow after you’ve spent quality time with the people you like!

Socially enhancing

It’s hard to imagine the internet minus social networking.  Facebook alone has 175m users a day and as more people sign up to Twitter and other sites too, we seem to be comfortable using networks as a communication tool.

Social networks have re-united long-lost friends and reignited plenty of relationships.  That can’t be bad can it?

They also let us reach out and meet new people who share interests or know our friends…without the awkwardness of asking for a phone number!

As more people move about the globe, social networks provide a  cheap way to stay in touch. They can also help friends and family stick together by sharing photos and news.  A quarter of users feel they can express their emotions better via social media than in real life!

And lets not forget social networks don’t have to replace face-to-face meetings…they can even help you arrange parties and get togethers.

Love them or loathe them?  Let us know!