Benefits of Online Vs. ‘Real’ Friends

“Science validates the notion that people with a strong social network live longer. It’s not yet clear if the benefits apply to those who turn to the Internet for friendship.” “Friends stimulate the brain and force us to get out of the house. They jolt us awake at 4 a.m. with their weepy phone calls, and apply balm to our wounded hearts in the form of copious post-breakup cocktails. But in recent years, the definition of ‘friend’ has broadened somewhat. And not necessarily in a way that makes us live longer.”