Social networking sites (SNS) allow us to thoroughly engage with our family and friends outside of the face-to-face realm. They provide us with a platform to easily and reliably connect and communicate with people from all over the world. Providing us with real time notifications and information, SNS’s are a key driver in our social atmosphere and relationships. While these sites provide a myriad of ways to interact with people, their full long-term effects on relationships and social engagements is ambiguous.
Some researchers say the institutions and “cultural” norms governing these systems have deep negative impacts on the health and depth of our relationships. Others highlight these system’s ability to bring together people on a common platform to improve and advance communities and relationships. I will explore the was in which SNS are beneficial and harmful to relationships and how these systems impact out social cognitive psychology. I will also explore ways in which we can design SNS to impact our relationships and communications in a more positive way.