Spending time on Facebook can actually bring certain groups closer together, according to a recent study.
The study, titled “Got Facebook? Investigating What’s Social About Social Media” and conducted at the University of Texas, found that instead of weakening personal ties, Facebook use is driven by a desire to stay involved in other people’s lives.
“College students that I surveyed at LSU used Facebook for similar reasons, but they reported more self-disclosure with their face-to-face friends than with their Facebook friends,” said University research associate Pavica Sheldon.
“In terms of personal contact, I think Facebook can be limiting,” said Kayemba Mvula, political science senior. “But Facebook can help in getting in touch.”
More than 60 percent of those surveyed said posting updates was one of the most popular activities. Sixty percent said they also wrote comments on their profile and 49 percent often posted messages to friends, according to the study.
The study also found women are more likely to communicate or share media related to friends and family where men are more likely to post about news or current events.
“In offline relationships women are more affectionate,” Sheldon said. “Their friendships involve lots of talking and sharing stories.”
Men’s friendships tend to center around an activity like watching a football game, Sheldon said.
“Girls post more pictures and write on people’s walls,” said Sarah Jameson, history sophomore.
Sharing content is a common Facebook use, according to the study. Of the content shared — photos, videos, links and quizzes — 87 percent of those surveyed share photos.
Researchers surveyed 900 college students and recent graduates to determine results.
“Facebook brings all our different networks and social scenes together. We present ourselves in different ways, whether to friends, coworkers or family,” S. Craig Watkins, associate professor of radio, TV and film at UT who led the study, said in a news release. “Facebook engagement is not uniform. It’s constantly evolving and in a state of flux, and that presents a challenge.”
 
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Contact Grace Montgomery at [email protected]