Users' online friends twice as many as real ones--study

The average user of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace has double the number the number of friends online, as compared to in real life.

Experts at Manchester Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre in Wythenshawe hospital explain that folks tend to open up more with friends when physically distanced. Web friendship allows people to be more self-assured and sincere in their association.

The study, conducted by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, revealed an interesting fact. Nearly one in 10 social network users has either bumped into their best buddy on the net or are are hopeful of meeting forever friends someday, somewhere out in the virtual world.

"It found that one in 10 people has found their best friend online and that people tend to be more honest with friends online than when faced with friends," reports The Telegraph.

With 'twice as many as real friends', it comes as no wonder that a person has 121 virtual friends as opposed to 55 real friends.

Research highlights advancement of social interaction
The set pattern of friendship seems to be undergoing a big change. People would now prefer chatting over the net than, say, over a cup of coffee!

"In wider society, the ways in which friendships are formed and nurtured is changing with people recognizing that they can develop deep, meaningful connections with others that they've never met, and may never meet,” said research team member, Helen Oxley, a consultant clinical psychologist.

Among people polled for the study, a mere 5 percent showed interested in jotting down contact numbers. On the other side, 23 percent would rather ask for a new friend's name in full or email address to invite on a social network.

Internet no less than oxygen for the ailed
What might seem blasphemy to the conservative, social networks are regarded by many as a priceless way to stay connected with kith and kin anywhere, anytime.

More importantly, it is one medium held dear by the ones sick and disabled who are incapable of socialising physically.

"For most people, the internet is a way of keeping in touch with loved ones and friends but for people who are isolated due to illness, it plays a more vital role and can often act as a lifeline," said Oxley.

"People with illnesses often rely on the internet's ability to facilitate friendships as they blog and use networking sites as a way of coming to terms with, and dealing with their illness,” she continued.

A feel of social integration can do psychological wonders for the lonely hearts.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said, “Cystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening inherited disease which affects the whole body, primarily the lungs and digestive system.

'The social aspect of the web is very important to many people with CF, especially those who are no longer able to get out and about easily for various reasons.'

30% children interact online daily
Separately, another study carried out on behalf of TalkTalk's internet security service HomeSafe, involved 4,427 adults.

Results from a questionnaire showed that 30 percent of children spend on an average two hours and six minutes on social networking websites each day interacting with friends.

The survey showed one in five parents believes that that checking non-educational web pages is affecting kids' academic results at school.

In the age group of 6 to 11 years, almost 50 percent play games on the internet for one to two hours each day while just 10 percent go online for help in their daily homeworks.

Again, among the 12 to 17 year-olds, half indulge in social networking regularly whereas merely 16 percent use the net for homework.

Childnet chief executive Will Gardner said, "Children under the age of 15 have never known a world without the internet. It's revolutionised how they learn, play and communicate with each other.”