Minnesota, USA -June 24, 2011 - According to Pew Research Center (PRC), Social Networking affects our relationships in a few positive ways: building trust, creating closer relationships, and enhancing social support among peers. Interestingly, PRC discovered that the social networking users of Facebook received the most benefit; undoubtedly this could be due to the fact that 92% of the people surveyed use Facebook while the others used other social networks or a combination of Facebook with another social network.

 

"We used regression analysis to control for other factors and found that a Facebook user who uses the site multiple times per day is 43% more likely than other internet users and more than three times as likely as non-internet users to feel that most people can be trusted," reported PRC. Perhaps this trust evolves from the transparency that is given by the multitudes of data that people are willing to post on social networks; nothing seems to be off limits anymore. This could definitely affect people's general tendencies to trust people in everyday life.

 

Although we only reveal our deepest thoughts and feelings with very few people, PRC also discovered that there is a 9% increase in the number of close friends of those who use Facebook. "The average American has just over two discussion confidants (2.16) -- that is, people with whom they discuss important matters," mentioned PRC. Social networks such as Facebook could potentially reunite a past close relationship as well as develop other close relationships which would definitely increase the number of confidants.

PRC additionally reported results regarding peer support by stating, "A Facebook user who uses the site multiple times per day tends to score an additional five points higher in total support, five points higher in emotional support, and five points higher in companionship, than internet users of similar demographic characteristics." The regular American scored an average of 75 on a 100 point scale on total support and emotional support while scoring an average of 76 out of 100 on companionship. Basically, there was a large increase in these areas among those who regularly used social networks like Facebook. The constant connection among 'friends' may increase the likelihood that someone will notice when someone else is in need or be more comfortable in asking someone for help.

Oddly enough, there are many reports of a decrease in Facebook users in the U.S. -which Facebook denied several times. Although this study does not specifically state whether anyone has particular negative feelings towards Facebook -even while using it -, it could give insight on which users are leaving and the reasons for it. Maybe these users are not reaping the benefits that others are experiencing; if so, social networks may need to do some evolving in order to reach this slowly dissipating crowd.