There is not doubt that due to the proliferation of the Internet
the way we live our lives is now very different than it was for previous
generations. For those people who have the tendency to become fully integrated
into society, it is now extremely difficult to find contacts on the web who
have good social skills and can easy engage in an intelligent conversation.
The social networks, of course, exclude those who never had many
previous contacts and are trying to look for new ones. Those who were lonely will be always lonely
because they lack the ability to make meaningful relationships in their real
life.
On the other hand, the Internet and its various social
networks put up barriers between people making them feel that the only way they
have to communication is via two or three lines of text. This is a poor way to
have a meaningful dialogue with another human being.
I personally prefer to the share company of a single good
friend than trying to acquire a huge list of superficial friends online.
Social networks in general will always be good for those who
already have control of their lives, have meaningful relationships with others and
are able to successfully cope with solitude.
Social networks, however, are not good for those who lack
self-confidence, who are not able to cope with others in the “real world,” and
who cannot deal with being alone.
In today’s advanced world of communications, I recommend
that people who are lonely should detach themselves from online social
networking and try to make more genuine attachments with other individuals in
other more healthy, genuine and truly human ways.
By: Yilva Kalmanson