Yoga, technology and social networking - is it a necessary evil?

I find it interesting that in our daily life we are becoming so much more connected to technology. Kid's have no idea what a tape is, nor know what a tape deck was. They would not know what a photo slide is, nor would they know maths without a calculator and spelling without a spell checker.
Whilst I can see the benefits in some technologies and thinks it actually encourages sharing, openness and establishing connections eg yoga podcasts and daily shows with fantastic teaches in every corner of the globe, I know that it is also seen to be a limited force stopping real world connections with actual people. There are multiple arguments either way.

So is technology and the ability to connect via social media as real as a friendships in reality?

I think that it comes down to a few areas when you connect into social media and other relationship building technologies:

1. start of with people that you TRUST - this gives you a point of truth, because you know the person, and therefore the people they know and like are also likely to be people who you would get along with too
2. CONNECT with people that seem to have the same interested and passions that you do, so that you have something to talk about with equal and shared knowledge/wisdom, but where you can add value and input into conversations you may not know details about.
3. have an separate online IDENTITY - you can never be too careful about what information you release on social technologies or the web, but say have a online but not exact date of birth, have a similar avatar or image of yourself that is enough like you that people could meet you in person and see the resemblance, but if you desire, hide some flaws. Also depending if you want to be recognised or not get a name that you like and use it everywhere .Be consistent in this usage, to develop relationships and trust (yes that word again)
4. INTEGRITY - be sincere and respectful of people you meet. If you wouldn't do something to someone you meet in real life then don't do it online because you have technology as a cover to keep the real you hidden
5. Allow yourself to BE YOU - even in the online world with technology providing a sense of distance/personal space and anonymity, people still get a feel for someone and can determine if they like them or not, the same as in reality
6. BE ACTIVE in your online community - share information and items of value with others and in return they will share information with you

When you think about it, this isn't that far from what you do in normal life, it's just allows you to talk to people globally.

I have met some fantastic yogi's around the world, shared their lives, practice, teaching, knowledge and journeys. I respect the infinite wisdom that is brought to me via the electronic medium and feel enthusiastic to have connections with such fantastic people on the other side of the world who I will most likely never meet. Technology enables these connections to be made, and whilst there are bad aspects to it all, this mirrors the real world.