Special Report: Face to
Facebook

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - When signing into a social networking site like MySpace or Facebook, do you ever think that it could actually hinder your ability to socialize?
Probably not. But, some experts say research is showing that may actually be the case.

"I really do love it, it's a good way to keep in touch with your friends and just see what's going on in their life," said Kylie Callandar.

"The time we are spending at the keyboards and screens is time that we are not using to engage the people in our immediate surroundings," said Glenn Sparks.

 Purdue Communications Professor Glenn Sparks and former therapist Will Miller co-authored a book called "Refrigerator Rights".  The idea behind the book--how many people could walk into your home, and go into your refrigerator without no questions asked? A concept that both say many people are lacking.

"When you say that to people, they almost instantly know who those people are in their life and what they'll realize is whoa, a lot of people in my life, but I don't have a lot of people that have refrigerator rights," said Will Miller.

Miller and Sparks say communicating through cyberspace does not allow close relationships that people need to have a satisfying life.

"It's not a very good medium for communicating the emotion that we usually bring to a face to face interaction.  I can look at your face, I can look at your eyes, you can hear the sound of my voice," said Sparks.

"I think it actually can cause relationships to deteriorate. I know at least when it comes to romantic relationships, if you don't take it seriously it actually going to hinder that relationship," said Adam Haracz.

While Adam Haracz agrees with the authors, many college students say networks like Facebook help them stay connected with friends.

"As the years go by you lose different people's email addresses, you lost touch with them and it's a really, really easy way to stay in touch with your friends," said Wade.

"I was actually abroad last semester and it's a good way to keep in touch when you're all the way over seas and you can't call them all the time so it definitely a good way to keep in touch with everyone," said Jamie Freese.

Professor Sparks says limiting your time spent at the keyboard is the key to having fulfilling personal relationships.

"And this technology helps that in one sense because it allows you to keep connected with people you have formed relationships with.  On the other hand, if you are at a keyboard, staying connected with people who you already know that becomes a dis-incentive to go out and meet new people," said Sparks.

So, every hour you spend looking at a computer screen is one hour not meeting new people.  Both Sparks and Miller say notice the people around you, when you are out and at home.  Be aware of opportunities to talk with those people and try not to spend as much time communicating via the computer keyboard.