The Facebooks strengthen social ties, as it appears now

As social networks have been raising concerns over its negative effects researchers at the University of Texas have conducted a study and arrived to different conclusion. Contrary to widespread point of view social media websites such as Facebook do not weaken personal ties, they strengthen them in unique ways for different age groups.

"Our findings suggest that Facebook is not supplanting 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 social media afford opportunities for new expressions of friendship, intimacy and community."

The poll surveyed 900 college students and recent graduates on 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.