Updated 21 May, 2012, 5:50 pm IST

Indians Network to Keep in Touch With Friends

05 Apr, 2008, 7:27 pm IST | by tech2 News Staff |

Keeping in touch with people they know is one of the strongest reasons for Indians joining a social networking site, according to a survey conducted by the The Nielsen Company.

Using its online research panel "Your Voice" on the usage patterns of Social Networking websites the company found out that 82 percent wanted to keep in touch with people they know, while 58 percent joined a social networking site to reconnect with old acquaintances they have lost touch with, and 53 percent signed up to make friends. 43 percent cited professional networking as a reason.

"The biggest advantage of a social networking site is how you can build and use the network with friends, business associates and people with similar interests. These days, the world has become a global village, and social networking sites are bringing people closer together and helping them to interact and share their thoughts within the group, no matter where in the world they are," said N.S.Muthukumaran, Director.

Three quarters of Indian respondents have been using social networking websites for two or more years and two-thirds spend more than half an hour on each session. All had a very positive attitude towards social networking websites. 71 percent consider social networking sites to be cool but 66 percent mainatained that social networking sites are no substitute for actual face-to-face meetings with friends, 43 percent of respondents considered it safe to meet people face-to-face whom they have met online.

"Though social networking sites are popular, they lack the bond established in face-to-face interaction. The non-verbal communication is missing in online friendships," continued Muthukumaran. The Use of Alternate Identities A majority of users believe in revealing their real identity on social networking sites. Security reasons were cited by 68 percent of the respondents for using alternate identities on sites. They prefer not to reveal their personal details. 35 percent chose to use an alternate identity "Just for fun".

Nielsen found more than half the respondents had more than 50 or more friends on the social networking website they use more often. However, there is a skew in the male-female ratio of friends depending on whether it is a male user or a female user. Males have a greater number of male friends. Females on the other hand, have a more equal split between male and female friends on social networking sites.