News 12 at 11, November 20, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---For years, parents have worried about kids getting on social networks like Facebook, but a new study says they can be helpful to make them more social.

Jimmy Buck is a 17-year-old Westside High senior who's been on MySpace about three years now, and of course he's not the only one.

"Actually everybody I know is on MySpace," the teen said.

The social network has helped him get to know new people, like two kids he met at a party who were about to transfer to his school.

"Within 24 hours, I got a friend request from both of them," Jimmy said. "Just by giving them my name, they can just type it in and there I am."

Stories like that back up a study by the MacArthur Foundation. They found that many kids use the networks to extend friendships they already have and meet people with similar interests.

Years ago, people could only meet face-to-face but now it's as easy as a few strokes of the keyboard and a few clicks of the mouse. But some have argued Facebook and MySpace actually lower social skills, encouraging kids to interact online instead of in-person.

"I'm a sociable person without the computer. I get on there and I talk to people on MySpace and Facebook but other than that I can talk to them just as well in person, too," said Jimmy.

His dad sees how it's helped Jimmy, but says relationships have to be more than just virtual.

"You have to have that. How are you going to develop as a social being without your one-on-one confrontations?" said father Roderick Buck.

"You meet new people and tell people about yourself and if they want to...know more about you, they can always send you a message," said Jimmy.

The networks have helped this teenager not just virtually, but in reality, too.