Facebook and your social life...

One of these last articles really got me thinking, in the Ellison article.... I never thought of having a facebook account as giving me or taking away from my social capital. I can see how this effects the community. As stated in the reading it says that the more social capital that you have the less crime, more efficient economic systems and more positive social outcomes. The greater the social capital that is going on in a community to the mobilization there is in the community. That is an excellent point that is pointed out in these readings. I briefly touched on it on my first blog post but this really sums it up very well. Sure as the readings point out it can take away from that face to face interation but I would argue some interaction is better than no interaction at all.
Particularly if you are in a community that does not really fit your personality or your way of life. Facebook is a way to gain more relationships, as stated in the readings it can extend beyond borders and bring like minded people together. In Facebook you can create various groups regardless of what it is for. That is where you can share common beliefs. I am a part of an online group, outside of facebook, that brings Ute fans together to interact with one another. Utefans.net is a message board that brings Utah fans/alumni together to interact regardless of where they are located. There are regular posters on there from other countries like China. It allows us to share that common bond with like minded individuals no matter the distances.

According to a USA Today Poll 49% of all adults that us an online networking site use it to make new friends. Trying to increase ones social capital. Between 2006 and 2008 social networking increased some 93% with Facebook seeing a 500% growth. 89% of Adults that use a social networking site us it to keep up with some old friends. Especially to keep prior social captial in order. Older adults are still in the minority in terms of usuage of social networking but the numbers have been growing. A Pew Internet survey shows that adult usage of online social networking sites have quadrupled from 8% to 35%. Essentially, like I stated earlier being a member of some group is better than not being a member of anything.

The Ellison article does say that some people are concerned with the fact that it could take away from real world face to face interaction. I would have my doubts about that statement. In a study from 2001 (dated I know but still good data i think) from the Pew Internet study it stated about 1/3 of the people who use social networking network with people from different backgrounds, wether it be ethnic or what not (http://www.pewinternet.org/Press-Releases/2001/90-million-have-participated-in-online-groups.aspx).
Would you agree or disagree with the statement that online networking helps your social capital? Or do you think that being members in online groups can take away from some face to face interaction?