Has social networking negatively affected the way young people form communicative bonds?

I’d love to hear your views on the subject of the effects of social networking in youth culture i.e. Facebook, Twitter and, dare I say it, Fluther on the main points of consideration, for example is it productive in diversifying opinions and exposure to cultures not locally available, or is it detrimental to the development of communicative ability and removing the human aspect from the way we form relationships?

I may be preaching to the converted on this one as I am asking the question on what is essentially a social networking site but it would be great to get some input from both sides of the argument!

And by the way grumpyfish, I know you’re trying to be helpful but nobody’s going to ask if The Jonas Brothers are lame. We ALL know the answer to that one already.

xx