Social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter are killing off good old fashioned 'people skills', it has been claimed.Researchers found sites which encourage 'limited character' sentences are affecting peoples' confidence in holding face-to-face conversations.
They're also blamed for many of us losing the ability to use 'body language' to convey thoughts or feelings and a growing reluctance to chat to strangers.
Four out of ten surveyed claimed the social networks had a negative impact on their personal social skills.
In odd news, the researchers didn't note the number of potential respondents who simply grunted at them in the street and carried on walking as they fiddled with Twitter on their iPhone.
Among the other interesting statistics to emerge was a revealing insight into how mobile phones have taken over our lives, often at the expense of manners.
Almost four out of ten people thought it was acceptable to talk on a mobile phone at a table in a restaurant.
Close to one in ten went as far as to say it was 'fine' to use a mobile in a hospital or doctor's surgery, despite the radio waves causing disruption to medical equipment.
There were only three occasions when people would consider not taking a call; during a meeting with the boss, on a first date or while with a long lost friend.
A spokesperson for uSwitch.com, which carried out the study, said: "Social networks may have become part of today's social fabric, but they are putting paid to basic social skills.
"Four out of ten people believe online networks have had a negative rather than a positive influence on society.
"There's a distinct danger people are becoming less comfortable having face-to-face conversations."
LINKS
uSwitch.com
Almost four out of ten people thought it was acceptable to talk on a mobile phone at a table in a restaurant.
Close to one in ten went as far as to say it was 'fine' to use a mobile in a hospital or doctor's surgery, despite the radio waves causing disruption to medical equipment.
There were only three occasions when people would consider not taking a call; during a meeting with the boss, on a first date or while with a long lost friend.
A spokesperson for uSwitch.com, which carried out the study, said: "Social networks may have become part of today's social fabric, but they are putting paid to basic social skills.
"Four out of ten people believe online networks have had a negative rather than a positive influence on society.
"There's a distinct danger people are becoming less comfortable having face-to-face conversations."
LINKS
uSwitch.com
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