On an online news post, the headline ‘How using facebook could raise your risk of cancer’ caught my eye and certainly made me wonder: “how could that be possible?” The article insists that social networking platforms, specifically facebook, may cause serious health problems due to the lack of face-to-face contact and the inevitable isolation of individuals. Although I sometimes agree with such skeptics about the use of technology, I must say ‘bullshit’ this time. The use of online networks may have decreased the amount of ‘face-to-face’ contact; however, it has substantially increased the networking effect and has brought people all over the globe closer together. If you haven’t noticed, most companies are currently using these social platforms, not only on a personal level but within their own offices amongst colleagues and co-workers. So, it may not actually have a significant effect on face-to-face contact if people are using the web in the presence of other people so frequently.
The web has definitively done its part in enhancing the lives and the opportunities of people and companies across the world. It has blurred social boundaries and brought people together quickly, efficiently and effectively. People should not rely solely on the social web for networking and communication, but the web should certainly be a tool that helps to enhance such skills.
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I still fail to see the connection between being isolated and getting cancer! I could swallow this more if they were refering to the lack of exercise that people get if they are constantly on networking sites. But because of isolation? I tend to agree with you on this one: 'Bullshit' or as Gerard would say: 'BS'
ReplyDeleteHi Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteActually the web is a pretty good place to start building social networks in the real world. The number of people I have met at conferences and exhibitions who I had only ever communicated with via my blog or online networks would amaze you.
I actually set up a business with a guy (he lives in France, I am in the UK) before we ever met in the real world.
Ian
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ReplyDeleteSounds like scaremongering from the Daily Mail to me, and I think they completely miss the point.
ReplyDeleteOf course there has been a general trend towards less face to face contact since the late 80s, times change, not just because of social networking.
For a lot of people, social media serves as a complement to real life interaction rather than a replacement. As Ian says it can get you in contact with people you otherwise wouldn't meet and can build initial links with people that you can build on in real life.
Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteThis is in part due to the increasing interest in the whole subject, there are a lot of people researching the new social phenomenon, sociologists, psychologists, doctors, technologists, etc. Social Network sites such as Facebook and Twitter are making the headlines on main stream media and people want to get a piece of the action claiming stuff the can't prove. FT brought a whole page on Twitter this week, The Economist had an interesting article on Facebook, their question was if people on social network sites are really "Networking" or "Broadcasting". News such as the one you wrote about are not likely to go away soon... not until the social web phenomenon are completely dissected and studied.