-increasing your social circle(online friends don’t count).
I defy this conclusion.
online friends are maybe not as socially fulfilling as face-to-face friends, but I wouldn’t count them as having zero positive benefits. Especially if you have an obscure hobby/interest only shared by some—or only by a few local people. Doubly-so if you happen not to live in a big city.
I have both online and offline friends and both sets of them make up my complete social circle.
If you also happen to travel frequently—offline contact with your old circle of friends/family may be the best way to keep in touch. As a member of a family who I can truthfully say the sun-never sets upon… this is a huge benefit.
I defy this conclusion.
online friends are maybe not as socially fulfilling as face-to-face friends, but I wouldn’t count them as having zero positive benefits. Especially if you have an obscure hobby/interest only shared by some—or only by a few local people. Doubly-so if you happen not to live in a big city.
I have both online and offline friends and both sets of them make up my complete social circle.
If you also happen to travel frequently—offline contact with your old circle of friends/family may be the best way to keep in touch. As a member of a family who I can truthfully say the sun-never sets upon… this is a huge benefit.