Social Media's Downside? Bad Manners

A new survey by the Consumer Internet Barometer reveals that many Web users feel social networkers suffer from a lack of manners, according to the Washington Post's "Post I.T." blog. Though the survey doesn't go into detail, it isn't hard to think of examples. Leaving rage-a-holic messages in the comments section of blog posts is one that leaps right to mind.

More troubling than unpleasant exposure to angry strangers, however, are the ways social media erodes our treatment of those we consider friends. We might be in touch with them more often — a "poke" here or a tweet there — but perhaps not in the attentive, sustained way we should be. That is, the way we should be if we want to keep them as real friends and not just cyber-buddies.

"Social networks have fundamentally changed how we interact with friends by making it easier to keep in touch, rekindle relationships and broaden social horizons. But it's also a lot easier to cut corners," writes Kim Hart on Post I.T. "Just today, I found myself saying farewell to a friend who is moving away from Washington by writing a message on her Facebook wall."

Hart changed her mind and called her friend, but only at the last minute. How many of you out there haven't caught yourself in time?

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