View all newsletters
Receive our newsletter - data, insights and analysis delivered to you
  1. Technology
October 10, 2013

One in three Facebook users do not spend time with virtual friends in real life

But they won't delete them for fear of missing out on gossip.

By CBR Staff Writer

About one in three UK Facebook admit they do not socialise with friends made through social networking site in real life, a new survey suggests.

According to a recent survey by VoucherCodesPro, the majority of users are willing to spend time with only 10% of their Facebook friends.

However, the survey respondents would not delete their Facebook friends from the list as they are worried of missing out on gossip.

The research also suggested that about one-fifth of the survey respondents admitted to using the social networking site to keep watch on their kids and other relatives.

VoucherCodesPro marketing director George Charles said: "It seems with the results of this study, the old saying about keeping your friends close, but your enemies even closer, is definitely alive and well even in today’s society with our reliance on the internet."

Some of the respondents even said they hate some of their online friends and only maintained Facebook friendship to view their photos.

About a quarter of the surveyed were scared of ending a relationship online.

Content from our partners
How businesses can safeguard themselves on the cyber frontline
How hackers’ tactics are evolving in an increasingly complex landscape
Green for go: Transforming trade in the UK

Another survey by Media Effects Research Laboratory reports that the profiles of Facebook users reflect their feelings of self-respect and freedom.

The study suggested that users with less self-esteem like to continuously keep an eye on their Facebook wall for updates, while high self-esteem users add more information about themselves.

However, both high and low self-esteem people are likely to spend a lot of time on developing their profiles on social networking sites.

Picture – Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and other employees – or are they friends?

Websites in our network
Select and enter your corporate email address Tech Monitor's research, insight and analysis examines the frontiers of digital transformation to help tech leaders navigate the future. Our Changelog newsletter delivers our best work to your inbox every week.
  • CIO
  • CTO
  • CISO
  • CSO
  • CFO
  • CDO
  • CEO
  • Architect Founder
  • MD
  • Director
  • Manager
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.
THANK YOU