The increased use of social networking sites is being blamed for the poor communication skills of young people and the increase in violent behaviour. Certainly virtual relationships do not provide the same opportunity for eye contact, observing facial expressions and body language, all of which contribute to social interaction and communication.
However, millions of people around the world use these networking sites and do not resort to violent behaviour when interacting with a real person. Perhaps part of the problem is poor parenting skills, sleep deprivation and an unhealthy diet which also contribute to children's difficulties in relating to others.
Even when parents are out with their children, there seems to be little interaction with them. The children can be seen playing on the latest gadget and their parents will be chatting away on their mobiles, not a word passing between them.
As with all things, moderation is key and parents should be responsible for managing the amount of time their children spend on these sites. Perhaps they could lead by example and turn off their own phones and spend time interacting with and listening to their children, teaching them an acceptable way to communicate with real people.
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