OK, three things.

1) You have to isolate yourself in the one room in the house with out Web access in order to not use it? Self control, anyone? Just turn it off if you don't want it.

2) Show me some studies (not speculation) about how youths with more on-line access have stunted social skills. It's entirely possible that those kids use those connections to feed face-to-face interactions and skills as well, like the cell-phone kids who arrange social outings through texting. I don't pretend to understand what the impact is, but I tire of those who do pretend exactly that without really knowing.

3) There have always been those with less social skills than others. Technology probably has changed that very little. And all the social butterflies out there may not realize it, but a lot of people don't really care to socialize that much. If they have the skills they need to accomplish their particular goals (career, personal, family, etc.), then what's the beef?

This article could not be more correct about the threat that facebook poses to our society, but it incomplete. Facebook is creating a whole generation of young people who are sadly unprepared to be productive citizens. These young people are unable to have conversations with a human being who is in the same room. This has created an epidemic of young workers who cannot interact with the public, and thus, provide no real benefit to their employers. However, this article ignores the fact that facebook is not only harming the workplace, it is also harming the family. It cannot be denied that one of the major functions of facebook is to promote extra-marital affairs. It is also keeping parents and children from interacting with each other in meaningful ways. There was a time in this Country when the public would have stayed away from this obvious harm. Apparently, that time has passed.

I have to admit that I am also an addict to the internet mostly to read news article like this one to stay abreast of events. I use the internet as my daily newspaper and I never watch or listen to any broadcast news media.

I do most of my research and product comparisons using the internet which has been invaluable resource to save. It also limits impulse buying at stores because I will research first then buy.

I've never used or been on any facebook or similar sites because they are fictitious, impersonal, and anonymous. What is really disturbing is that many adult workers, teenagers and younger are turning to this technology to replace personal interactions too much and too often. Parents and friends texting or calling at very inopportune times of the day interrupting and disturbing each others daily lives.

As with all technology there is a time and place for it. The next step will be to implant cell phones in the brain to simulate mental telepathy and speaking will be a thing of the past. These devices are already stuck in the ears of individuals like an unnatural appendage.

Joe, the research on how the brain develops in a use-dependent fashion clearly indicates the reasons for concern here. You are limiting your observations under an inner bias that keeps you from acknowledging the truth. People who so limit themselves are concrete, not abstract, thinkers. Such thinkers say things like, "But the cow hasn't escaped yet so your worries are unfounded" all the while staring at a gaping hole in the fence. It's the mature critical thinker who can see beyond the moment to future consequences and raise the alarm. And yes, my statements are backed by research. When adult men excuse their lack of communication with their father by saying their child's birth was announced on Facebook but they never bothered to pick up the phone to share the news (and hear the excitement in grandpa' voice), as happened to a family I know well just this weekend, the realization of the mature thinker's assessment is here!

On the contrary. The young people I see USING Facebook are indeed social in their personal lives. The shy non communicative ones are the "lookers" who forever "look" but never say anything. They are "outsiders" online AND in their personal lives. Facebook is like going to a party. Some people their talk and socialize. Some stand in the background and observe. Some are looking for new friends and relationships, some are not. Some are having a good time, some are not. Some use it for good, some do not. It's just like anything; there are two sides. If you don't like it, don't use it. If you don't like the party, don't go. But stop criticizing those of us who go and have a good time.

Good observation, Idaokie. I've found Facebook to be very helpful for socializing. I'm no longer in a singles ward but through Facebook I'm still able to plug into the singles social scene. There are easily 5+ events every month (parties, firesides, whatever) that I find out about through Facebook.

Facebook is good and bad. Like others have stated, it has provided me a way to more easily network. I have maintained contact with people that I hadn't talked to in over 5 years. However, my observation is that the younger generation is supplanting facebook for occasions when face-to-face or a phone call is more appropriate. Same with texting. As a manager, I would become infuriated when I received a text from an employee telling me they would be late or not coming in. That is not appropriate.

Go ahead, grab some fast foods, snacks and then gorge yourselves on the food of your choice and the internet. What a way to live. No outside refreshment, personal communication, or exorcise but sit in your little world in a close room spill out your brains, thoughts, and personal choices with people you think care! After all they can't see you and might think your Mr. wonderful. What a waste of time. Everyone should be a "tech freak" because we can import illegals to do the manual work so needed every day. No worries just keep talking some one else will do your work. What a waste.

The problem isn't so much the being connected/having friends. People are losing skills that they need for FACE TO FACE interaction because its easier to interact over text or the internet. I'm from the younger generation and I can tell you right now that it really is becoming a problem. Kids today do not have the skills or are quickly losing the ability and desire to interact with people in real life.
They did a study that has shown that the number of people that don't have any close friends has gone up, and the number of close personal friend people have on average has gone down from 4 to 2... there is evidence of this problem yet we choose to ignore it. I am SO grateful I had to attend a boarding school where phones were not allowed and internet was for research only. I learned invaluable personal skills.