In new study, UT researchers debunk idea that Facebook is an anti-social network

Though spending time alone in front of a computer screen may seem anti-social to some, interaction on Facebook only increases social interaction, according to a recent report.

The report, conducted by professors S. Craig Watkins and H. Erin Lee of the University of Texas, Austin, surveyed 900 college students and recent graduates.

According to the study, titled “Got Facebook? Investigating What’s Social About Social Media,” Facebook is the most visited site in the United States and is “one of the fastest growing social platforms around the world.”

“No matter if it is a wall post, a comment or a photo, young people’s engagement with Facebook is driven, primarily, by a desire to stay connected to and involved in the lives of friends who live close by, far away, or have just entered in to their lives,” the report stated.

However, as much as Facebook has become a part of people’s lives, the report “suggests that Facebook is not supplanting face-to-face interactions between friends, family and colleagues.”

“In fact, we believe there is sufficient evidence that social media afford opportunities for new expressions of friendship, intimacy and community,” the report said.

Juliana Wiele, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she thinks Facebook makes people more social “to some extent.”

“It’s convenient…[and] you can be in touch with people whenever you have time,” Wiele said. “[But] being social on Facebook hasn’t translated to being more social in person. I’m more social online, but I’m not more social in real social situations.”

The study also found that men are more likely to use the site more functionally by posting news, information and task-oriented content. Women, on the other hand, are more likely “to communicate about or share content related to friends and family.”

Sasha Shahidinejad, a freshman in the College of General Studies, said that she primarily uses the social networking site to keep in touch with friends.

“Since I did a voluntary year of service in Haifa, Israel, I met people from every corner of the planet. I love looking at my friends pictures and knowing what they are doing with their lives,” Shahidinejad said.

“I think Facebook does make people more social because without it, many people would meet once or twice and never see each other again…Facebook makes it easier for people to communicate,” she said.

CGS freshman Megan Ramette said she agrees that Facebook makes people more social, particularly in a “college environment.”

“During the summer, I joined the BU Class of 2014 group, where I could talk to other incoming freshman,” she said. “Through Facebook, I was also able to talk to my roommate.”

“I’ve always been social, but Facebook does make it easier to connect with other people and helps me keep in touch with what is going on around Boston,” Ramette aded.

School of Management senior Marissa Spiegel agreed, citing that Facebook helps to keep in touch with those people who would be more difficult to keep in touch with otherwise.

“Facebook has moved social interaction online to an easily accessible location. By having all of your different friend groups in the same space it makes it simpler to contact multiple friends and groups at the same time,” Spiegel said.

“Websites like Facebook make it infinitely easier for us to talk, share news and make plans in real time rather than waiting of the next opportunity when we are in the same place,” she said