Impact of ONLINE social networking

More and more people are joining these social networking sites rapidly, what you think are the factors which influence on people’s decision of joining social networks, and not engaging much in daily life social occasions? Does it mean we will REDEFINE social relations over an extended period of time, if this trend continues?

What yu think are the advantages and disadvantages?

Xeno, it's a very common misconception that joining online social networks takes something away from face-to-face social networks while research has shown there to be no significant correlations between them. In fact, some research has shown the opposite to be true.

Even from personal experience, I can tell you that I've gotten back in touch and/or formed new associations and new contacts that have spilled over into my face-to-face social circles. So its quite the opposite of dilution of real life relationships.