Today I was interviewed by the Belgian national television VTM, who did a feature on the use of social media during summer camps. While researching the subject, I came across an interesting study about teens and their parents on social media by the American professors Sarah Coyne and Laura Padilla-Walker. Their study of nearly 500 families found that teenagers who are connected to their parents on social media feel closer to their parents in real life. They also found that teens that interact with their parents on social media have higher rates of “pro-social” behavior – meaning that they are more generous, kind and helpful to others.
The same goes for organizations: companies that connect with their customers and stakeholders online, build solid relationships with them.
As they engage in dialogue, they show more 'social' behaovior: they understand their audiences better, they learn how to listen to criticism and feedback and become - why not put it this way - more generous, kind and helpful.