Friday, 08, Aug 2008 10:28
Online social networks are now one of the most popular ways for people to maintain their circles of acquaintance, it is claimed.
Ben Camm-Jones, the news editor of online resource Web-User, suggests there is considerable interest in online community activity among older people.
This could be because some social platforms offer the opportunity to regain contact with former friends, he remarks.
Mr Camm-Jones adds: "That's probably something more pertinent to the older generation than it is to the younger generation who haven't had time to lose touch with people."
However, he states there is no major phenomenon of individuals meeting through the internet and then becoming friends, arguing such socialising is mostly among people who already know one-another.
Despite his comments, a recent survey suggested an increasing number of people are turning to the web in order to meet people.
The online dating website MakeFriendsOnline questioned 25,000 of its members and found almost a fifth of them felt unable to meet people in more traditional ways.