Social Networking: Acceptable Norm or Kindling Jackpot?

I'm not going to sit here and argue that social networking has completely destroyed intimacy. Intimacy in itself has several definitions as well as levels. For example one can feel intimate towards a sibling, not say they would engage in sexual activities with that sibling, merely that they have a strong degree of affection towards them. Much like how one could use dating sites like e-harmony to find the "true one", people use Facebook to keep in contact with family and friends. Incorporating social networking sites into our lives has certainly diminished and in some minds of individuals destroyed it, however, I believe that it has also aided as well. Some people aren't good at breaking that barrier, and just going across the room of the bar and talking to that sexy man. Social networking sites have opened a gateway of opportunity for introverts as well as some extroverts whom may happen to have busy lives or maybe aren't the greatest in person first time flirts. It's also opened up the door for family members and friends to rekindle friendships or find one's that they had lost contact with over the years. Much like okcupid could allow you to find the one you spend the rest of your life with, it can very well help you find that daughter, son, or cousin, whom you may have never met but wish to find, or simply lost contact with. For us to limit ourselves to just in person, I feel, atleast given my age and generation, that it's unwise. The threats of doing so can be quite risky, should one choose to abandon logic, and converse with sketchy online people, but that does not than mean that it should be ruled out completely due to the possibility of meeting a "catfish". If we stopped going on dates in person for fear of meeting the next huge serial killer, we would never leave the house much less go on dates. In this day and age, social networking has effected both our society, it's views, it's practices, it's people and their norms in many ways, but one way above all, is it's offering of a capabilities.