This argument only applies if you replace in-person communication with internet communication.
Most of my communication on social networks is with people that I would otherwise not communicate with because they are too far away.I see only gain there.
Yeah that's a gain; besides, that's what we do right now.
But! Please look around and check how many people prefer this kind of communication with distant people when in the same time they could communicate in a more valuable way with people around them. That's what I'm trying to condemn here.
Social networking can give a more lasting value if someone is consciously treating it as a kind of trampoline to reach those people IRL finally. Which is huh 0.0042% of social networking usage?
Most of my communication on social networks is with people that I would otherwise not communicate with because they are too far away.I see only gain there.