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Loneliness in Social Media

May 31, 2010 at 1:05am -
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Just writing a presentaion on connections in social media - loads of people blaming social media for the huge amount of people saying that they are lonely.

I disagree completly... Yes it has a part to play, but it is all about personal choice. Those that choose to spend ALL day in it may very well. My presentation will be not just for kids and young people but everyone.

And I hope to put an argument foward too that shows that connections in social media are real - aimed towards those that think they're not.

Social media builds other communities online, it does not break others down unless people segregate themselves.

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4 comments
May 31, 2010
Nigel_Morgan said...
Wise words Ant! Who exactly is saying that social media makes you lonely? If I do not tweet for a few days I get messages asking after my welfare! If my blog stays quiet for a few days the emails come in from concerned readers.

I'm not a lonely soul anyway, but social media has ensured that plenty of people keep in touch. If I ever did feel alone, I know that I have lots of friends out there on social media who would happily chat or meet up.

May 31, 2010
Shaun Gisbourne said...
You're spot on here Ant. The people moaning about loneliness have themselves to blame as much as any trend in their working environment. As we've seen, in general the big companies are either not yet embracing social media or are doing it badly (sometimes with dire consequences). The "victims" are everywhere, and by and large, it's on a basis of self-selection. If you like, it's the law of stepping forward to show how negatively they spend the lion's share of their day.
May 31, 2010
Ant Hodges said...
The post comes from the medias response and conversations around this article from The Guardian - http://bit.ly/aDQ5lr

Just because young people are saying that they are lonely does not mean that it is the fault of Facebook and Twitter etc. This is what a few commentators are saying.

My response will show the demographics of social media are not just young people but also to put forward an argument that it is society that alienates and peoples choice to shut themselves out most of the time.

May 31, 2010
Susan Hofgartner said...
When I hear people say that social media is a waste of time (usually critically aimed at the "youth of today" I ask them how many Christmas cards they send out to people they don't contact for the rest of the year, and haven't seen for ten years? Now that's a definition of lonely.
I love the way my sons come in on an evening and are still "talking to friends" all over the country and finding out what's going on late at night. That's friendship social networking style.

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Ant Hodges

Ant Hodges

As a Social Media Consultant, Ant combines many years experience in Sales and Marketing with the natural ability to build relationships online - this is the key to success when it comes to Social Media Marketing

Ant currently works full time as Business Development Director for www.toinfinity.co.uk who are a leading online marketing agency based in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Some of the areas Ant specialises in are Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Pay Per Click Campaigns, Social Media Marketing & Training, Email Marketing, Website Design and Affiliate Marketing - visit www.toinfinity.co.uk for more info.

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