Is Social Networking Damaging Our Social Skills?

Social networking has taken over the world in a way that nobody could have possibly predicted, but if the majority of teenagers resort to talking about talking, even if it is online communication, something’s gone seriously wrong. And it's not just teens. How many of us have gotten invitations to a gathering by email, Facebook, E-Vite or some other similar manner? And when is the last time you actually receive a letter or note in the mail from a friend? Or about people who only text, or send messages via Facebook, instead of picking up the phone. I know it's easier and, in some ways faster, but it is also often impersonal, and at times even borders on downright rudeness. Is this really what the world has come to? In this piece, teen author Amy Summers examines whether social networking is damaging our social skills.