Today's teenagers are online for much of their free time and therefore the effects of social media are significant within their lives. In the article, "R U Friends 4 Real?" written by Amy Novotney in 2012, the author surveyed experts in the field of child psychology and education to determine the role that social media plays in the development of friendships among younger individuals. There appears to be no definitive consensus, with some experts advocating the use of social media as a positive way for shy teenagers to form online friendships and involve students in volunteerism while others argue that with decreased face-to-face interactions, teens may lose out on forming sincere and lasting bonds that provide real support.