September 13, 2007
Social Networks Make Few 'Real Friends'
Facebook, MySpace, and other social networking sites popular among college students boast users who claim hundreds of online friends. But new research shows the count of “real friends” — true intimates — is about five.
Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Liverpool, both in Britain, have been conducting surveys of social networking denizens. They report that although such people claim 150 or 200 online friends (depending on the survey), they say they but have five core friends.
It’s interesting that five is the same number claimed by people not involved in online networks. —Josh Fischman
Posted on Thursday September 13, 2007 | Permalink |Comments
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It is interesting to see the ways that friend crops up in our language use. Let’s hope that people continue to see the value of having face-to-face friendships, even five.
— Gloria Sep 14, 09:35 AM #
I don’t know – it seems to me this misses the point. Few people use these sites as their primary way of interacting with their “real” friends. They’re a great way to keep up with freindly acquaintances and perhaps meet new people that you can share interests with. It’s not an either-or situation but a both-and one.
— Emily B. Sep 14, 10:31 AM #
Why is it so interesting? How can someone truly have more than a few “true” friends? With life being so hectic – juggling work, school, family, significant others, AND friends is very difficult.
I don’t view these socializing sites as a way to make “more” true friends, but instead a way to find those true friends and keep in touch with acquaintances.
I’ve used facebook and myspace as ways into finding out more and getting through those first few awkward meetings a little easier when finding a true good friend.
Anyone who wants to have more than probably 5 “core” friends is being a little foolish anyway. It’s very difficult to spread yourself that thin and be able to provide a good healthy and strong relationship with so many people while caring for yourself at the same time.
— Crys D Sep 14, 01:44 PM #
Right on, Crys D.
— Courtney Sep 14, 02:47 PM #
Although English is a big, expressive language, I’ve always found it lacking when describing degree of friendship. The French, among others, have one word that means true, close friend and confidant, and another indicating the range of people one is friendly with—those we hang out with and whose company we enjoy, but whose significance in our lives remains quite casual. To say “acquaintance” doesn’t do it—too distant, a bit cold. I think we need a new word!
— Jill Sep 16, 12:21 PM #
i wanna join
— suman Sep 22, 04:02 AM #