Social Media Society- How Networking Sites Has Affected Relationships (Pt. 1)

                The internet has changed the game of life. And we all know it. 

                Once the internet became popular, life as we know it became a tad bit “different”. Information that took weeks, days, or hours to hear now only takes minutes or seconds. Many scrambled around to be the first ones to actually have something to say about a situation. Others have increased their understanding (or lack thereof) through blogging, gossip, and gross misrepresentations of life through video outlets (World Star and Youtube aren’t always good for us). Still, it remains that the internet has chained our lives for better and for worse. 

                Depending on your position on whichever the pendulum may swing, social networks can be seen as either or. What may not be up to debate is the effect that social networks have had on relationships (as a whole). Which brings me to my next Chocolate Covered Lie: social networks have improved relationships. 

You Really Have All Those Friends?

                Let me make one thing clear: many of those people on sites like Facebook may be considered “friends”. In reality, they are not. James Randerson, science consultant for The Guardian (UK) notes this:

Previous research has suggested that a person's conventional friendship group consists of around 150 people, with five very close friends but larger numbers of people who we keep in touch with less regularly. This figure is so consistent that scientists have suggested it is determined by the cognitive constraints of keeping up with large numbers of people. Larger numbers just require too much brain effort to keep track of. [1]

So, in many cases, many people have a few friends and many acquaintances. Not to say that many of those people on Facebook are not good people you want around in your life.  Yet, it is quite hard to say that these people are your friends unless you have “met them face to face” [2]. In reality, social networking sites have blurred the line between true friendship and casual acquaintances. 

                Just because they are not your true friends does not make them insignificant. They are just weak ties [3]. Think about this honestly: if you don’t hang with these people or break bread with them at least on occasion, how much of a friendship do you have? If you notice that you don’t discuss much outside of Drake’s eyebrows or Lil Wayne’s jeggings nightmare with these people, can you truly say that they are friends when they “tend to be kind of specialized in what topics you talk about” [4]. Consequently, as long as we recognize our relationships as what they are, there will be no issues. 

                Then again, being humans, we always let things get to our heads. This issue leads to the next section. 

Social Arrogrance over the World Wide Web

                Besides the issue if having “so called friends” within your circle, there is another situation that occurs on social networking sites. This situation is just another example of profound madness. People make it as if it should be “regular” or “common”. Yet, it still remains to be something that is profoundly disturbing. In the end, this situation does nothing but make relationships apprehensive.

               

                The situation I am referring to is the “internet ego”. 

                Don’t know what I am referring to? Well, let me break it down for you and the rest of the world. 

                Some people bring out a “pseudo panache” when they are on social networks. You ever see the plethora of photos put on display for the sake of compliments? Have you paid attention to the silly self-esteem jockeying middle names that always occur on Facebook? Even better: how often have you, or anyone you know, become “defriended” or “blocked” because you voiced an opinion that was contrary to someone else’s beliefs? If you have noticed any of this, then you are aware of the “internet ego”. 

                People could just write off this phenomenon as a washed up opinion if there wasn’t research to go along with it. A study at Cornell concluded to the same thing, thanks to Jeffrey Hancock’s conclusion:

Unlike a mirror, which reminds us of who we really are and may have a negative effect on self-esteem if that image does not match with our ideal, Facebook can show a positive version of ourselves. We're not saying that it's a deceptive version of self, but it's a positive one [5]

People always use Facebook to make themselves look positive, even to the point of false advertisement. While Hancock sees it as a positive thing, many other see it as the ego boosting situation that it is. Regardless of opposing views, social networks have become a place where some of us work to make ourselves “feel better”. 

                Which is ridiculous. 

The Skinny

                Social networks are great tools for interpersonal communication. However, they have created situations of ego stroking and mistaken relationships. It becomes a problem when people feel the need to work hard to win others over or cut them off because they aren’t brown nosing them. Social networks have improved the communication and worldwide information processing. The ego tripping is just added foolery that isn’t needed. 

                Part 2 coming soon!!! ‘Nuff said and ‘Nuff respect!