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Social Networking... A Help or a Hinder?

C

Calvert

'Bout Ye?
For Aspies who enjoy social contact and use social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo, do you think they are helpful or hindering?

In one sense they allow you to communicate and keep up to date with friends from the comfort of your home. In another sense, if you can do all of that from the comfort of your home, then why go out and meet your friends face-to-face? Some would argue that social networking helps you to socialize, others would say it's just a distraction and a "lazy way" out.

What are your thoughts? Do you think it is beneficial? A bit of both maybe?
 
I think the principal can be applied to everyone, not just aspie's. Although I think it's more acceptable for aspie's since they find it harder to attain said social skills, it's a comfort to be able to do it at your computer I guess.
 
Its honestly both my fellow Aspie, both.

Its easy to socialise on Facebook and stuff like Bebo...

But I have learned that, it only hinders when it comes to thinking you can apply stuff from the interwebs to real life, it just doesnt seem to work.
 
I actually stopped using Facebook after getting suicidal twice because someone said something to me which upset me o_O. Seriously, people from my school are total jerks o_O.
I use WLM a lot because it is easier to talk to them, but I've never met up with people online because I genuinely think they wouldn't want to be friends anymore after meeting up with me in real life. I've actually got quite emotional when some of my best online friends have asked me to meet up in real life.
Once someone from school that I didn't know talked to me over Facebook and we got along quite well but when she approached me at school I said 'Hey' and for some reason she just lol'd and walked off. I think she didn't hear me or something. But she's not talked to me since over Facebook(when I still used it). I wasn't that bothered but I just think I alienate people face to face but I'm somewhat appealing(but pretty annoying) online to talk to.
I've had friends for as long as 4 years online(which was when I really started to communicate to people over the internet)- I've never been able to keep friends that long in real life.
Social networking doesn't put me off talking to people face to face, it's talking to people face to face that does.
TBH, the only time I really fall out with people over the internet is when it's with people I've talked to face to face.
I want to meet up with people I've known for years online, but I just think it'd wreck things, and I really don't know how I'd react if they stopped talking to me or something. I'm worried I might just give up completely when it comes to communicating with people. I've been close to it before.
EMZ=]
 
It sounds like you need some positive experiences to pop up in real life from online friends, Emor - not *everybody* that uses the internet is a tool. :)

Ever met an aspie in real life that you've met online?
 
Nope. I was going to meet this one guy but we don't talk anymore.
I don't know if I ever will meet up with someone but if I do it'll probably be a couple of years from now when I have less social anxiety(one friend invited me to a 'barge party'[a party in a boat afaik] and another invited me to come along to this giant social event and it was like a two day thing) so I can won't be limited to a cafe or w.e.
I was quite close to meeting up with this other guy that my Mum talked to over Skype, but I didn't really want to for the reasons previously specified and I wasn't sure what my parents would say.
EMZ=]
 
Hmm. I 'met' Willow online technically, that turned out pretty swell. After 4 years... :p *shakes fist at willow* :lol:

I've only ever met one other person I met online, in real life and that went okay for a while. We're still friends, I just never see them. ;)
 
@ Emmor: did she know what you looked like in real life? Maybe she didn't recognize or realize who you were at that moment?

Chris said:
Ever met an aspie in real life that you've met online?
Click to expand...

Now THAT would be interesting! Unfortunately I don't know any Aspies who live in Northern Ireland. Apart from one friend who apparently has an autistic brother and sister... but they are very young. I'm also friendly with that same guy's other brother who isn't autistic.
 
i think its a hinder.

People with AS that are from the time before all facebook and whatnot existed , had to practice their social skills. An person with AS can practise and get better with interacting socialy. Even if its on their own terms so to speak.

Even if it means alot of work and anexity I think one wins in the long run without facebook and more real social thing instead,

Today I think some people miss out on taking that step. Couse they feel they dont need to.
 
I have the pleasure of knowing another Aspie in real life, nice guy, but he has it 'more severe' than me, I can function a bit better, if that makes any sense.

Sadly, I have NOT had the rare pleasure of meeting a GIRL with AS, as in real life of course.
 
Chris stop saying tool.

I think it helps to an extent, the only problem is when you talk to someone you have the opportunity to see in real life, like at school, and they think you're going to be awesome in real life because you can talk so well online.

I have met one other AS girl, but she is more severe than me so...

I don't think I've ever met anyone off the internet. My longest internet friend is in America so that won't happen any time soon :( Plus we don't talk much anymore.
 
I use facebook and my space. My old school friends have added me on facebook. I use myspace for my blogging but I also use it for friends. I don't go around adding random people or taking people I don't know unless I knew them in real life, someone I talked to online, someone from a forum I go to. I have added my photos to facebook for people to see.


I know lot of aspies in real life and have met few of them from WP. I go to two autism groups and I joined another group in my area.
 
I have facebook, myspace, bebo (which I don't hardly use) and twitter etc.

I have to say they do actually help but I don't like facebook... the fact that my experience on there has been in arguments and conflicts which I personally think that is not helpful. :( I have closed facebook a few times, but I ended up going back on there since I have a couple of good friends on there.


Superb Oyian :)
 
I find it almost impossible to communicate with someone without a computer, phone, or some other form of technology. I quote: "Taking away an autistic person's computer of which they rely on is like gagging them and tying them up".

Also, online there are so many people that you can speak to without having people brush up against you; use lots of different tones of voice; use different facial expressions etc. You can also use it to communicate with people you already know in a much easier way. Skype or other VoIP software such as Teamspeak enables you to then talk to someone over the internet instead of having to risk a meltdown by going out.

I think there are negatives, but technology can do wonders for people with autistic spectrum disorders.

:)
 
I used to have Bebo too but then everyone moved to Facebook. I'd say that Facebook is more active but it's mainly just people joining groups and commenting on each other's status.
 
I always found it alot more easy to talk to them then talk to NT girls.
Click to expand...

Is talking to another AS easier than talking to a NT person?
Cause i`ve never had a chat with and AS in real life...and can`t really imagine it`s any different...
 
felix said:
Is talking to another AS easier than talking to a NT person?
Cause i`ve never had a chat with and AS in real life...and can`t really imagine it`s any different...
Click to expand...

Usually not, in my experience. Cats and aspies are not natural pack animals.
 
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