3/11: Mitch's (article #3) Current Events: Is Social networking killing you?

As the old adage says, I suspect that "anything in excess is bad for you". Whether you are answering 100 emails or conversing on Face book with your friends- the end result is the same - isolation from people (family and friends) around you. As a society entering the digital age our tools and social interactions will be of a different nature yet human one-on-one interactions need to be included to some degree - a balance is always the best approach. The article itself raises the question but does not give significant arguments as to why social networking is negative for users. It is definitely more opinion than fact. Like all new technologies and practices, negative press is common. The digital age promises new challenges to social, mental, and physical well being. Some of the bloggers asked for evidence that social networking can have a negative impact on steady users. Such evidence is more long term than short term. A sedimentary lifestyle needs to be infused with physical and social activity for sustenance of long term health. But this is just as applicable to the so called "couch potato" and video gamer. Going back to my original premise - anything in excess has a negative impact on our well being. Social networking is no worse or different than sitting on a sofa and talking on the phone for hours. It is just a different communication process. Social networking is the new form of human interaction. Is it detrimental - time will tell. For now, understanding the modes of communication of our youth helps us keep in touch.