• Question: Do you think that social networking is making people antisocial?

    Asked by 9eltu to Andrew, Ash, Gem, Paige, SJ on 25 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Gemma Staite

      Gemma Staite answered on 25 Jun 2012:

      Not necessarily, but as a general rule I think technology is.

      I think this could be argued either way. Some would say they are more social as they communicate more freely and with more people. While others would say they see and speak less to people. I believe it all comes down to the individual and how they use social networking.

    • Photo: SarahJayne Boulton

      SarahJayne Boulton answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      Have you heard of ‘technological disinhibition’?

      This is where people say and do things online that they would normally would not if they were actually in the prescence of other people (I’m thinking about some of the scarier MySpace profiles here – weird stuff)

      It’s this phenomenon that can also make online bullying so much more vicious than real life bullying as that same ‘stop’ mechanism doesn’t kick in as it does when a bully and victim are face to face.

      I think this is when social networking can be dangerous. We’ve been given a great technology but all too often the users of it lack a certain degree of self control, be it regard over exposure or prolonged and inappropriate use.

      What a toughy question. Nice one!

    • Photo: Paige Brown

      Paige Brown answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      This is a very good question. There is a lot of research on this in the communication field! It depends really on what people are looking for in social networking online, for example. Some people are looking for leisure and escape for reality, for example, while many people are actually looking to connect more with others! This is called gratifications theory… its what people are DESIRING in their online experiences that matter. If people are looking to connect in their communities, social networking can actually be a very social experience!

    • Photo: Ashley Cadby

      Ashley Cadby answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      Yes, I think we are only meant to have a small number of close friends in our life.

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