Online Networking to Replace Face-to-Face?

Published on: Thursday, October 25, 2007       Comments (0)       Category: Technology & Productivity, 

Roughly 15 years ago, when the commercial Internet became a place where people began to spend time, the concern was that it was an isolated and independent experience. Individuals were often sitting at home alone, or alienated from their families, typing away at keyboards and interacting with the few other pseudonyms and faceless entities who were also new to this online world.

Fast-forward and the pendulum has not only swung in the other direction, it has spun off its hinge. Social and business networking, “friending,” connecting, linking and the ability to successfully contact virtual strangers is an admired trait, and the number of connections one has is proudly displayed. No matter that we haven’t met face-to-face; I’ve seen your name online, Googled you to learn more about you, and emailed you an introduction. Now, we’re not only in each other’s networks, we are supporters, business allies, and I am comfortable referring you to others as if you were a childhood — and not just a virtual — friend.

But do these relationships have sustainability? Experts have mixed opinions. Just 39 percent of the technology pioneers and social analysts that the Pew Internet and American Life Project surveyed in 2004 agreed that by 2014 use of the Internet will increase the size of people’s social networks far beyond what has traditionally been the case, and therefore enhancing trust in society, as people have a wider range of sources from which to discover and verify information about job opportunities, personal services, common interests and products.

Twenty percent of the respondents disagreed with the statement and another 27 percent challenged the prediction. One expert wrote that the Internet “may increase the number of casual acquaintances, but not deep attachments,” and another said: “People will have a wider range of sources — but most individuals will settle on a small number that they will use repeatedly.”

While some may dispute the value of social networks, one thing is clear: senior-level executives continually agree that networking most often leads to career opportunities for them, and search firm and corporate recruiters are finding the majority of their candidates through their connections.