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Social networking sites strengthen ties
Source: Agencies |
November 25, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CONTRARY to common belief, social media websites such as Facebook do not weaken personal ties - they strengthen them in unique ways for different age groups, according to a new study.
The rapid spread of Facebook, which has more than 500 million users worldwide, has prompted concerns about its negative effects, but researchers at the University of Texas have reached a different conclusion.
"Our findings suggest that Facebook is not supplanting face-to-face interactions between friends, family and colleagues," said S. Craig Watkins, an associate professor of radio, TV and film.
"In fact, we believe there is sufficient evidence that social media afford options for new expressions of friendship, intimacy and community."
The researchers questioned 900 college students and recent graduates about how and with whom they interact on Facebook.
More than 60 percent of Facebook users said status updates was among the most popular activities, followed by 60 percent who wrote comments on their profile and 49 percent who posted messages to friends.
The researchers also found that although about the same number of men and women use Facebook, they do so in different ways.
"There is a difference in orientation in how to use a tool like Facebook. We found that for women the content is more affectionate, and (they) are especially interested in using it for connection," said Watkins. "For men, it's more functional," he noted.
He added that increased use of Facebook brings extra challenges as young adults have to adapt their Facebook behavior to a growing social circle.
The rapid spread of Facebook, which has more than 500 million users worldwide, has prompted concerns about its negative effects, but researchers at the University of Texas have reached a different conclusion.
"Our findings suggest that Facebook is not supplanting face-to-face interactions between friends, family and colleagues," said S. Craig Watkins, an associate professor of radio, TV and film.
"In fact, we believe there is sufficient evidence that social media afford options for new expressions of friendship, intimacy and community."
The researchers questioned 900 college students and recent graduates about how and with whom they interact on Facebook.
More than 60 percent of Facebook users said status updates was among the most popular activities, followed by 60 percent who wrote comments on their profile and 49 percent who posted messages to friends.
The researchers also found that although about the same number of men and women use Facebook, they do so in different ways.
"There is a difference in orientation in how to use a tool like Facebook. We found that for women the content is more affectionate, and (they) are especially interested in using it for connection," said Watkins. "For men, it's more functional," he noted.
He added that increased use of Facebook brings extra challenges as young adults have to adapt their Facebook behavior to a growing social circle.
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