Metropolitan Center for Independent Living

Hey Nick!

I have a facebook and a myspace.

I like it cause it allows my friends and me to keep in touch even though we have busy lives and work all sorts of different hours. In nice to be able to check up on my friends and family when i have a spare moment.

I have always been a big fan of the internet, I've been chatting and socializing online for about 13 years now! (wow that seems like a long time)

Its amazing how the social aspects of the internet have changed over time.
when I started socializing online all you had was AOL. It was simple chat and e-mail. None of the fancy stuff that you see now like Myspace and Facebook.

I've always liked socializing online cause its easier to be myself when i'm anonymous and i know that i can click ignore if someone makes fun of me or is mean. Its also a great way to meet more people that have the same interests as me. I know that I can search for a site specifically for people that like the same things.

Its also nice that its available whenever i want it. I don't have to find time during the day to call or take time out of my schelude to go somewhere. I can sit at home and chat while i work on my homework, or send someone a message on my lunchbreak.

I dont think the internet will replace face to face communication and they both have their faults and their strengths. But i definetly don't think this is a trend that is going anywhere anytime soon.

We went from being a small town country. To being a global world. The internet allows us to socialize with people all over the world...

Jillian

I agree with what Jillian has said, i believe that chatting online allows a certain amount of anonymity. That being said, I think chatting online diminishes person to person social skills. Using your computer for social networking is a terrific idea, when done carefully, and done sparingly. The longer we sit behind a computer terminal, the less time we are out in the real world, in real life scenarios that the computer cannot show us. Im not trying to diminish the importance of using what we have available to improve our lives, but I believe that the computer can only do so much

I agree with what Jillian has said, i believe that chatting online allows a certain amount of anonymity. That being said, I think chatting online diminishes person to person social skills. Using your computer for social networking is a terrific idea, when done carefully, and done sparingly. The longer we sit behind a computer terminal, the less time we are out in the real world, in real life scenarios that the computer cannot show us. Im not trying to diminish the importance of using what we have available to improve our lives, but I believe that the computer can only do so much

Awesome Jayc! :wink:

When you think about real world activity do you thing that web cams can give people this real world contact, or is it another way to stay plugged in to a terminal as you say?

Thoughts anyone? :arrow:

I recently came across this article on the BBC's Ouch! website: www.bbc.co.uk/ouch

It has to do with being open and honest with people and how social networking sites allow less sensitivity to go by unchecked as you might in face to face situations.


Face to Facebook

12th May 2009
Social networking websites have revolutionised how we keep in touch with friends, know who our 'friends' are and even what friendship means. Disabled in her late 20s, Kaliya Franklin has a love hate relationship with the big site that everyone seems to be a part of.

Recently, I bumped into an old friend whom I've not seen for more years than I'm prepared to admit. We chatted for ages about anything and everything. Well, everything except my snazzy purple wheelchair ... which I didn't need the last time I saw her. A conversation opener if ever there was one.

Like many bendy people, my diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome came later in life, before which I was classed as an attention seeker, not disabled. As she didn't mention my wheelchair, I assumed my friend must be that rare and wonderful creature who accepts others without question. Until I got home, logged in to my Facebook account and saw the message she'd sent wanting to know about my disability. It seems she was more curious than accepting, but couldn't bring herself to ask me in person.

To read the full article please click
www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/opinion/face_to_facebook.shtml

Enjoy!