People who have stronger social networks live longer. However, can we say the same about online social networks? The University of California, Berkeley compared 12 million Facebook users to nonusers.
More importantly, they also look within Facebook users to explore how online social interactions—reflecting both online and offline social activity—are associated with longevity.
Facebook users who accept more friendships have a lower risk of mortality, but there is no relationship for those who initiate more friendships. Mortality risk is lowest for those with high levels of offline social interaction and moderate levels of online social interaction.