Loneliness and social media

Blimey! Say that again?!

cant see the connection myself ....there are many housebound people that use social media to connect with the outside world and this helps them to not be so lonely...

So, he's saying that we put less thought into a non-online conversation. And this is a good thing as it shows our true selves. Whilst online we think, re-read, delete, think again, edit, and then post.

Oh.

Not me...I post as I think...

Well, some of us might...

Crossed posts, soop - exactly!

I think he also says that we spend so much time on social media that we spend less time pursuing in-your-face friendships.

I have often thought it, but the fact is, a 'social network' has enabled me to stay in touch with people I have moved far away from in a way that no letter or phone call could do. I need real people, I have both worlds, I suppose it's all about finding the balance that suits you. It's possible to live in a housefull of people and still feel lonely.

Wise words, janerowena

And what about the housebound, the disabled or those who can't get out and about for some other reason? A lot of people, especially older ones, are socially isolated.

Pluses and minuses surely? Many posts lamenting family rifts talk of posts on Facebook leading to major bust ups. I wonder if somne people (and I am talking about FB not GN) do post first and think a long time afterwards? I am also aware of disclosures in a public arena tantamount to shouting them out in a crowded train or putting them on the front page of a newspaper! Some people's grasp of privacy setting often seems minimal.
Another minus is that social media such as Facebook can make a person feel they are missing out on the full social life of others - and I have read comments like that on GN. Everybody always seems to be having such a *wonderful *time on FB - you never read of someone sitting alone at Christmas, cold, lonely and miserable do you?
The pluses clearly include the ability to communicate with friends anywhere in the world at any time of day and at no or minimal cost, unlike phone calls.
Unlike the "yoof" of today we are old enough to keep things within measure and I know I feel very cut off if I have no internet connection!!

I agree that FB can cause trouble between friends and/or family. I was thinking solely of internet access and the friendships that can be made on sites such as this one. I've never had any desire to join FB - or Twitter, for that matter!

Ana I agree, I also have no desire to join FB or Twitter.

I look on the internet as my window on the world. I have real friends and family but I also value my virtual social group on Facebook. However, I don't "collect" friends - I only accept friendships from people I already know in the flesh. It is a wonderful way to stay in touch with otherwise distant friends. I agree that our age group probably has a more balanced view as we originated our real relationships before the internet was available and so we know how to function in the real world. I don't see why we can't have both.

Perhaps with older people the internet is used because other means of communicating can be more difficult - it is a means to an end rather than an end in itself. And also generally for older people it is more about exchanging thoughts, ideas and opinions than about self-promotion.

Looking at younger people, however, I agree with a lot of what was said. It's as if these young people are, to some extent, living their lives through Facebook and other social networks. It's almost as if they are competing with one another to produce the most interesting and exciting profile, rather than making real, sincere friendships with people.

i use the internet to interact with people as i dont see anyone socially its my link to the outside world.... i dont do facebook or twitter cant be doing with all that rubbish...

Dollie that is good as it is helping you to interact.

I find it quite worrying that so many people interact via texting Facebook etc and not much communication done direct. It is way things have gone not sure is improvement.

I use f book emails etc and it is very useful good keep in touch on f book with people can't see regularly. Nothing should replace actually speaking to people which sadly it does seem to in some cases.

Is also horribly addictive! I take I great care to limit who can view my face book friends only and have blocked people also is important be aware what put on public page and I us p messages a lot.

Agree awful trouble can be caused if not careful.

Ana just to be pedantic, it's not really fair to blame Facebook itself for causing problems between people. The problem is down to the stuff people are stupid enough to post on there.

We really do need to think hard before we press "post". At least you can delete and edit a Facebook post.

Fb isn't 'rubbish', any more than Gransnet is rubbish, it's what some people post on there that can be rubbish.

As Nellie said, you can edit and delete very easily on Fb.

I have found GN very good for social contact it might be virtual contact but it helps. You can have some good chats and some silly fun.

GN was the first social forum that I joined and I have enjoyed every minute whilst making new friends across the Country & Abroad,FB scares me to death for some reason and I hardly ever go on there even though my DD convinced me it is a good way to keep in contact with friends and relatives,just got to be careful what you post everywhere and remember it can be seen by anyone.

No glam It can't be seen by everyone if you set it to be private.

You have no control over who sees what you have written on Gransnet but on facebook you can set the privacy level. There is nothing to stop anybody using, what you have written, in a magazine or newspaper article.

Charleygirl Ana You belong to this forum and are posting. Personally I see no difference between that and FB. You only need to post what you want to. I believe any one can sign up on here and read all posts. On FB you can decide who looks at your posts. These social media groups get blamed for many things (eg. FB caused my Husband to leave me . FB caused a family rift). It is people who cause these things not a forum.