Friends With Benefits

An article called "Friends With Benefits: Do facebook Friends Provide the Same Support as Those in Real Life?" by Kate Dailey,  is mainly about certain benefits that facebooks' social media has to offer. Dailey, used an example of a long lost friend who posted on facebook about a tragic event of a death. Even though Dailey felt surprised that someone would post such news but later realized that facebook is the "perfect venue" for tragic news. With that being said, Dailey argued the benefits of virtual friends in a bigger picture. Even though studies have shown that a "strong network of friends can be crucial to getting through a crisis and can help one be healthier in general" she then questioned whether virtual friendships could be just as beneficial. Dailey then conducted her own "polls" and found out that facebook doesn't make friends, better friends; it makes acquaintances better acquaintances in many ways. It is a way for others to learn about new jobs, tragic stories, everyday life etc and when others comment on certain events, facebook users may get a boost in self esteem when others react to their posts. 

Facebook is a wonderful way of staying connected with everyone. Whether it is relatives who live far away, a friend you see everyday, or a next door neighbor. It is not meant to replace face to face friendships, but used as an alternative for those who want to share different events in their lives with people they know. In return, some friendships may develop, or get better. Some can gain from social media in many ways.