Does Facebook Help or Hinder Offline Friendships Essay

Some of the effect of the ever-growing social networking is the lack of face to face interaction. Now websites such as Facebook allow you to find your long lost friend but hinders the ability to go out and meet friends face to face. The question remains does it help or does it hinders a person’s interaction ability. In my opinion it helps that person get over the social anxieties and be able to communicate so when a person meets face to face it is not so awkward and being able to communicate builds confidence when speaking. There was an article in the New York Times where they asked this very same question. Which state that â€Å"If anything, Facebook has helped me sift through the friends I’m happy with keeping at arm’s length by offering the perfect vehicle to do it through. â€Å"(Wortham, 2011). Being able to sort out your friends and like Wortham stated at an arm’s length it helps. Cultural Impact The impact that social media plays in our everyday life is extraordinary but for some there are mixed emotions. Some culture such look down upon social media because it could be dangerous or even discourage you away from your beliefs. It could impact an entire family or have people find out information about you that should be private. I feel for the most part most cultures rely on social media as much as the mainstream society. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to keep in touch with friends and families across the globe. Besides the Amish and some Middle Eastern cultures I find the it helps to better know your friends and help you to meet new ones that you would of never met if it wasn’t for social media.