Study
results
The study counters the general believe that Facebook (and other
social networks) users replace normal friendships with online ones
and thus do not interact in person with that many people anymore.
In short the study concluded that people using Facebook several
times a day have more close relationships, are more trusting and
do get more social support than the average human being.
More
close relationships
It is logical that people actively using Facebook have more close
relationships, as they tend to know much more about their friends
than non-users. You do not normally call all your friends with
everything that happens in your life and you will not update all
your friends with exactly the same stories when you meet them.
Facebook has made this possible and thus people know much more
about each other when they are also friends on Facebook.
One
example is also what people often complaint about when they argue
about the value of social networks: “Why do I need to read that
people are arriving at an airport, just read a certain book, passed
an exam, or whatever else insignificant issue is happening in
their life?!”. The fact is that by keeping up to date with the
little things in your friends lifes, you know them much better
and are able to share more special moments with them, no matter
how small.
The
real value of Facebook
However the advantages of reading your friends updates do go much
further:
• You might realize that you have arrived in the same airport
half an hour before your friend and let her know that you are
awaiting in the café just passed customs to catch up, or
if you are not in the same place, you can let your friend know
about this great little restaurant you had dinner at a while ago
in the city where she just landed and suggest she goes there during
her stay.
• You could ask your friend if he recommends the book he just
posted; should you read it as well? Or you can tell him about
a similar book you have read that he might like to read as well.
• You might be in a convenience store checking your mobile when
you read about your friend passing his exam, so you decide to
buy a little gift and drop it off on your way home.
Without
the updates you might have spent time in the same city where your
friend was and not know it until you meet again back at home,
you might or might not talk about the books you have read, but
you might just not have time to talk about that one that you and
your friend both enjoyed so much, because you have only so much
time when you meet in person, and when you find out your friend
passed his exam it has been a while and before you meet again
it is really too late to buy a gift.
Our
lifes are so busy; we are running more and more to get things
done and the time spent with friends is relatively short. That
is where the interaction with those same friends on Facebook and
other social sites can really add value to our lifes.
Do
you not agree with the above, or do you have other ways to use
Facebook to improve the realtion with friends and family, please
let me know.
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