Remaining Facebook versus Face-to-Face Friends after a Romantic Breakup: Factors that Distinguish Those Who Do from Those Who Do Not

Social Networking On Facebook

Crosier et al. (2012) argues that humans have a genetic predisposition to desire connection and that online social networks provide venues for satisfying that desire. Facebook creates an environment where sharing and connecting with others is easier in many ways than traditional forms of face-to face interaction. Indeed, Facebook “friendships” involve extremely low commitment. Users can elect to (a) post (or not to post) updates on their thoughts and activities for friends to read as well as (b) read (or not read) friends’ posts. Activity leads to a sense of “keeping up with” people but Facebook allows users’ to maintain “friend” status whether or not they actively engage on the website. Similarly, friendship status does not change if users spend a few minutes a day on the website or a few hours per day. Such a disassociation between investment and relationship status stands in sharp contrast to face-to-face relationships that seem to fade away if friends do not stay in regular contact as well as regularly share information and/or experiences together.