The Social Networking Weblog

The argument goes that people who spend time blogging or social networking are there because they are antisocial people and don't have friends in the real world. Or, they are people who used to have friends in the real world but now spend so much time blogging or on social networking sites that they don't anymore.

How does all this blogging and social networking affect the next generation? Will the kids and teens of today know how to pick up a phone and hold a conversation? Will they know how to visit a friend and enjoy their company? Are blogging and social networking creating a generation of antisocial social networkers?

This argument has been around since the beginning of the World Wide Web. Back then they called it Internet Addiction or Internet Syndrome. This "condition" keeps people on the Internet and keeps them from dealing with the real world.

If this is a real condition then I'd have to admit that I'm as guilty as anyone of having it. I work online, check the weather online, have friends online, get phone numbers and driving directions online, shop online. I live online.

My husband is addicted to news forum boards. He doesn't spend days on them, he goes to work and does what he needs to do but when he has spare time you'll find him on the boards.

I can see how the Internet can become addictive and how some teens or adults can become stuck there for days. The Internet has so much to offer. It's easy to get caught up in it all and get stuck there. It can become as addictive as gambling, alcohol or anything else.

If you find you or someone you know is spending days online and not getting anything else done or is missing important events in the real world then you should get up and go somewhere and do something else. Get involved in something worthwhile in real life. If that doesn't help then seek professional help. Your real life is more important than your virtual life.

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• A Parent's Guide to Social Networking
• Definition Of A Social Networking Site
• Are Kid Site Social Networking Sites?
• Join the Anti-Social Site
• Kids in Danger No More
• Virtually Kids

~Linda Roeder

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