How Social Media Enables Intimacy

As social media changes the way we interact, speculation has abounded for years on how the web may be disconnecting us from intimate interactions in favor of meaningless quests to rack up followers and “friends.” I have heard it for numerous times how social media is robbing us of authentic, honest relationships.

Not so, says Stefana Broadbent, who explains that social networks function the same way online as they do in real life. While we may have lots of friends, we only really communicate regularly and meaningfully with a handful of them, and social technologies like e-mail, texting, and tweeting allow us to do so more often across time and space

How has social media impacted the way you communicate?

  • Marc Smith

    My teenage daughter and I communicate often through text messages. Sometimes we text each other while at home. What's most important as a father is not how we communicate, but that we do.

  • MaurilioAmorim

    My wife has texted me from the TV room while I was in the bedroom because she didn't want to move and disturb the sleeping cat on her lap. So I understand the "in-home" texting thing.

  • Lori

    I am blessed by being able to text my husband and kids during the day to say I love them or I am praying for them, and to get their messages in return. I have never believed that texting or even email kills intimacy, but actually make the world smaller and more intimate.

  • todshuttleworth

    I could not agree more. I have never been so connected to so many people, and not just to people I already know through social media. I have met several new people through social media.

  • timgodby

    While for me, text messaging will never replace face-to-face or voice-to-voice interaction, it has made possible communication in situations where any other connection would be impossible. I love TED talks. Thanks for the link, Maruilio.

  • Scott D. Winter

    Right on, Maurilio.

    As it is with so many things, it all boils down to the individual and their motive. Anything can be warped and twisted, but when social media works, it enables communication. Some of that communication is probably interaction that you wouldn't have without social media.

  • Maurilio

    I love "makes the world smaller" I'm going to use it sometime soon! Thanks

  • Maurilio

    While you and I have never met, we know about each others' lives through social media. That's a blessing I wouldn't have without it.

  • Guy Walker

    I don't want to be graphic BUT. Is porn intimate?

    on another though… Wow she sounds really smart. I wish I had an accent like that.

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