Can Social Networking Replace Face to Face?

Written by Dan Buettner

Dr. Robert Kane, U of M's Chair of Long Term Care and Aging and one of Blue Zones advisors recently addressed that very question. We both agree that there are several benefits to social connectedness:

1. As people age, having someone checking in on you is very important
2. Other people can give our lives meaning, a reason to get up and out of the house,
3. We're evolutionarily designed to socialize so there is likely a biological link between connectedness and how well our bodies (immune system, etc) works and
4. The knowledge that we're not alone in the world reduces stress, puts us at ease.

I think the Facebook may partially satisfy 1 and 4 above and hence, is better than no contact at all but for 2 and 3, I don't think there's any real substitute for that face to face, back-slapping, human aura that comes with Happy Hour with friends and a good sit down chat.

One of the indicators or a true connectedness is if the person on the other end of the communication really cares about you when you had a terrible day and need to vent. A NIA study recently found that you'll live longer if you have two good friends who really care about you. My experience is that you're more likely to find such quality friends in your neighborhood than you would trolling on Facebook.

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written by K.A., July 07, 2008

I've also heard of a study in which scientists accidentally discovered a new pheromone that influences how congenial (and upbeat) we are. I think it was a skin cell culture or something that was being left out, and they noticed that all the lab technicians were really friendly and in a good mood when the samples were uncovered, but back to their stuffy old selves on days when it was sufficiently sealed.

Besides mirror neurons and all that good stuff that makes our smiles, good moods, and laughing fits contagious, we even have undetectable pheromones acting on our bodies in positive ways.

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