Your social networking activities (twittering, blogging, face booking etc) can effect your health according to a study published in the Biologist but only if you are obsessive about it. The Biologist is the official journal of the British Institute of Biology.
The 20 page study titled “Well connected? The biological implications of ‘social networking” outlines the biological evidence that the Internet and resulting lack of physical interaction and touch is having a detrimental effect on our health.
Because of virtual social networking. people now live a more isolated and lonely existence. Whole families spend their precious at home time in separate rooms playing with different electronic devices and interacting with online web 2.0 social media. Blackberries, mp3 players, mobile phones and the Internet have all visualized our interaction with each other.
Some Sobering statistics
- Britons spend only 50 min a day interacting socially with each other
- Over the last 20 years the proportion of people living on their own doubled (mainly in the 25-44 year old age group — the “internet generations”)
- Children spend more time watching the TV and playing with electronic devices than with any other activity.
- 25% of Britons 5 year olds own a computer
We are becoming totally separated from our physical networks and bioligists are discovering that this is causing all sorts of health issues, including:
- greater risk of inflammatory diseases associated with a high level of subjective social isolation
- loneliness is linked with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and auto immune disorders
- loneliness also contributes to sleep disorders and sleep deprivation and unbalances hormones resulting in more health issues and morbidity rates
- women with less social interaction are more likely to experience stroke
Human interaction such as hugging and touch have been shown to produce good hormones known to help the bodies immune system and prevent cardiovascular disease.
The study concludes “A decade ago, a detailed classic study of 73 families who used the internet for communication, The Internet Paradox, concluded that greater use of the internet was associated with declines in communication between family members in the house, declines in the size of their social circle, and increases in their levels of depression and loneliness. They went on to report “both social disengagement and worsening of mood…and limited face-to-face social interaction … poor quality of life and diminished physical and psychological health” (Kraut et al, 1998).”
We need to ask what is the true meaning of the term “social networking”, it certainly should be physical and not virtual. So go out there and do some physical social networking and hug somebody today.
Regards
Maggie & Danny
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About Danny Sheehan
Danny lives in Hong Kong but is originally from Australia. He is Married to Maggie and together they have two children with whom they enjoy sharing and enjoying an exciting life with daily. Danny's passions are freedom, adventure and discovery, mainly in nature and science but also spiritually. He is a great believer in living in the NOW.
More about Danny Sheehan
Healthy Living, Life Online