Response to The Benefits of Facebook Friends & Faux Friendships

Summary 1:

The Benefits of Facebook ‘‘Friends:’’ Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites by: Nicole B. Ellison, Charles Steinfield, & Cliff Lampe

This article was about the beneficial outcomes of developing relationships on social networking sites such as Facebook. The term, social capital, was mentioned. Social capital is basically the collection of resources obtained through relationships, online and offline. The more social capital the better. It influences lower crime, better health, community togetherness, higher self esteem and more. One might argue that all the heavy internet use nowadays is detrimental to social capital since it seems that people spend more time on the computer than developing real relationships. However, another way to look at it is that the interactions people make online can serve as supplements for offline interactions. They did a study on 286 students from Michigan U to measure their Facebook usage, psychological well-being, and social capital. The most important findings were that Facebook plays a big part in how students begin and maintain relationships.

What Surprised Me?

What was surprising to me was the overall positive tone of the whole article. Instead of bashing Facebook and focusing on the negatives like many tend to do, this article actually recognized Facebook for what it was made for; bringing people together through online interactions.

Summary 2:

Faux Friendships by William Deresiewicz

This article tackles the topic of the validity of today's friendships. Everybody wants to be friends with everybody whether it be in the workplace, home, or on the internet. It posed the question "If you have over 700 friends on Facebook, in what sense do you actually have any at all?" The meaning of friendship is beginning to change. In ancient times, friendship was very selective with high expectations and qualifications. The idea of one true friend is no longer in effect; friendship is now universal. It also ties in with the modern world which is about equality, individualism, choice, self-expression, and freedom. However, today's facebook friendships are all an illusion, according to the article.

Ponder This...
"Is Facebook beneficial to relationships or is it really all an illusion as Deresiewicz's article states?