Networks important to 21st century social life

13:04 7th August 2008

Online social networks have become one of the most important ways people maintain and expand our social circles, regardless of age, Web-User magazine has claimed.

Ben Camm-Jones, news editor of the Web-User magazine, believes that networking sites give internet browsers the chance to communicate with people that would not usually be within their social sphere.

Furthermore, research conducted by makefriendsonline.com found that nearly 20 per cent of people felt that they were unable to meet people using traditional methods and preferred to socialise online.

"It's more about people supplementing their social lives rather than developing one where they didn't have one before," commented Mr Camm-Jones.

"I don't think the types of people who are using them are confined to the house," he added.

Last month, a female IT figure and director of BT Tradespace claimed that social networking sites are encouraging more women to consider taking a career in IT.

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