Various Studies have been conducted to research these effects and what they have discovered may surprise you!
First, we'll start with the role that social networking plays for emotional support
Critics often state that restricting your communication with others online will decrease our abilities to have legitimate offline conversations. The fact is however, that it's quite the contrary.
According to Sharon Jayson's article in USA Today, "Being a part of a social network is good for you".
She goes on to say that these social networks offer benefits such as "resilience to greater life satisfaction to reducing the risk of health problems".
This may be tough for some of us to swallow. But as Nicholas Christakis, a Harvard Sociologist puts it, "In many ways, human beings behave like flocks of birds or schools of fish,". What he means by this is that many people find "flock" together in groups with similar characteristics, such as body size, or beliefs or certain subjects. They find a sense of belonging with other people who share these same beliefs, and are therefore more happy with their lifestyle and more accepting of the way they look.
There are countless support groups available online today. Whether it's support for depression, widows, alcoholism, etc. You can find help with just about anything in todays web of social networks.
Daily Strength is a website dedicated to such online support groups, giving much needed help to those who need it most.
Another example is Racing for Recovery, a support group for substance abuse. Youtube clip below:
These are just two of many support groups available.
We must also consider the fact that many social networking sites give us communication opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to us offline. Factors such as geographic location make it difficult for us to speak with someone face-to-face, but online contact with these people make it easy to keep in touch or find new opportunities.
From personal experience, i've had the opportunity to make friends online that have benefitted me for my interests. For example, this past fall I was able to go on a 8-day trip to Canada on an outdoor hunting adventure with guys from Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota.-- All of whom I met through social networking.
Below is a picture of us from the first day of our trip!
Take advantage of the opportunities that these networks provide, I doubt you will be disappointed with your decision.
I kind of like the simple black background and white text, it really focuses on your information by making it stand out to the viewer. One thing I guess I kind of wanted was some links and a beginning picture, it helps draw the viewer in, capture their attention. Good topic, like minded people make good friends offline or online, something not everyone agrees on, saying online can hamper your offline friendships when in fact it strengthens it. Never thought of that, some points you listed get the ole noggin fired up! Good stuff!
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