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Contrary to common belief, social media websites such as Facebook do not weaken personal ties, they
strengthen them in unique ways for different age groups, according to a new study.
The rapid spread of Facebook, which has more than 500 million users worldwide, has prompted concems
about its negative effects, but researchers at the University of Texas have reached a different conclusion.
"Our findings suggest that Facebook is not replacing face-to-face interactions between friends, family and
colleagues," said S. Craig Watkins, an associate professor of radio, TV and film who headed the research team.
"In fact, we believe there is sufficient evidence that the social media afford opportunities for new
expressions of friendship, intimacy and community."
The researchers questioned 900 college students and recent graduates about how and with whom they
interact on Facebook.
More than 60 percent of Facebook users said posting status updates was among the most popular activities,
followed by 60 percent who wrote comments on their profile and 49 percent who posted messages and
comments to friends.
The researchers also found that although about the same number of men and women use Facebook, they
do so in different ways.
"There is a noteworthy difference in aims in how to use a tool like Facebook. We found that for women
the content tends to be more affectionate, and they are especially interested in using it for connection," said
Watkins.
"For men, it's more functional," he added.
Watkins pointed out that, for example, women are more likely to post pictures of social gatherings with
friends, while men are more likely to post pictures of hobbies, or post a political or pop-culture related link.
1. What's the popular viewpoint of ordinary people about the function of social media websites?
A. They think it is positive to personal ties.
B. They think it has negative effects on personal ties.
C. They think it makes no difference to personal ties.
D. They think it has both good and bad effects on personal ties.
2. What's the meaning of the underlined word "prompted" in the second paragraph?
A. resulted from
B. had
C. showed
D. produced
3. What do Facebook users like to do mostly on Facebook? They like to ____.
A. create new expressions of friendship
B. write comments on their profile
C. update their personal status
D. post messages and comments to friends
4. According to the study, ____.
A. men concentrate more on the functional content
B. much more men use Facebook than women
C. men and women use a tool like Facebook for the same aim
D. Facebook is taking the place of face-to-face interactions between friends
