More and more people are moving to the Internet for communicating with friends and family as technology and modern life pressures are creating an epidemic of loneliness.

A report by the Mental Health Foundation suggested that more than one in ten Britons feel lonely on almost a frequent basis.

From Timesonline.co.uk:

The report says it is too early to say whether technology is changing our core ability to relate to others, but [it is] “soon enough to conclude that technology is no substitute for the human interaction that it is a buffer against loneliness.”

“It has been argued that the 50 minutes a day most Britons spend on the virtual world detracts from the time we invest in real-life social encounters,” the report says. “New technology can be used to reduce social isolation … But technology doesn’t include the physical contact that benefits our well-being.”

The percentage of households occupied by one person has doubled from 6 per cent in 1972 to 12 per cent in 2008, the Foundation notes, while the rising divorce rate also means the number of single-parent families is rising.

While loneliness is an emotion felt by most people at some point in their lives, persistent or chronic isolation can lead to unhealthy lifestyles and mental health problems, such as depression, eating disorders or alcohol and drug abuse.

“Once loneliness becomes chronic, it is difficult to treat,” the report adds. “People who are chronically lonely can get stuck in a loop of negative behaviour, and might push others away or seek transient contact, such as multiple sexual partners, which can make them even more isolated.”

It was suggested by the survey findings that while loneliness affects people of all ages yet women were more likely to be affected than men with isolation.

Tags: drug abuse, health, Internet, technology

The U.S. Treasury Department said on 26th May that it plans to sell another 1.5 billion of Citigroup Inc shares that it acquired during the financial crisis.

The Treasury has already completed an earlier sale of 1.5 billion shares and received gross proceeds of $6.2 billion and is left with 6.2 billion more of Citigroup shares.

From in.news.yahoo.com:

The government gave the bank $45 billion in bailout money in 2008 and 2009. Citi has paid back $20 billion in preferred shares, but another $25 billion was converted to common stock last year.

Citigroup traded for less than $1 a share during the darkest days of the financial crisis when investors were worried about its survival. On Wednesday, the stock closed up 2 percent at $3.86 on the New York Stock Exchange.

A Citi spokesman said the company was pleased Treasury was making significant progress in profitably selling its shares.

Treasury once again named Morgan Stanley its sales agent. Morgan Stanley will have discretionary authority to sell the additional 1.5 billion shares under certain undisclosed parameters.

Because of a blackout period ahead of Citigroup’s second-quarter earnings release, Treasury said it would end the program on June 30, even if it has not yet sold all 1.5 billion Citigroup shares.

The Treasury acquired 7.7 billion of Citigroup shares last year at $3.25 per share.

Tags: Citigroup Inc, financial crisis, New York Stock Exchange

If you are interested in learning about utilizing social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for marketing your business and evoke attention of existing and potential customers, Kent County Tourism still has a few seats available for the Social Media Marketing workshop in Dover, Thursday, May 27, at 8 a.m.

Mindie Burgoyne, noted author, entrepreneur and economic development professional, will be presenting the 2-hour viral marketing workshop at the Holiday Inn Hotel, 562 N. DuPont Highway in Dover.

From middletowntranscript.com:

“This is not a ‘how to build a Facebook page‘ class,” Burgoyne said. “It’s more of a ‘how to strategize’ with social media to get results.”

Burgoyne said the workshop will focus on how to promote a product or brand. Social media can be a platform for virtual networking, the same as personal networking, only online.

“Once you build a relationship through social media, you can leverage that relationship to create a buzz about your company, product or cause,” Burgoyne said.

Burgoyne, a resident of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, is employed by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development serving businesses and local governments in Maryland’s rural areas. Her expertise includes business assistance and aid to local jurisdictions including help with heritage tourism, destination marketing and community development.

During the workshop, she will cover the basics of social media and its impact including how to use social media to create viral distribution of information; networking versus marketing; the five biggest mistakes using social media; and how to leverage your social media network to create a buzz about your brand. She also covers the “Big 5″ social media networks including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and blogs.

The program cost is $10 per person, and pre-registration is required as only a few seats are available. You can call Kent County Tourism at 302-734-4888 or 302-734-8309 to book your seats.

Tags: Facebook, Marketing, Marketing workshop, Social Media, social media marketing, Social Media Marketing workshop, social media tools, Twitter, YouTube

If you are running a small business or keen to start one very soon, this YouTube video on viral marketing tips for small businesses is an exceptional guide for you. This video with best tips on viral campaigns and social media marketing helps small business owners think ahead of the times to generate qualified leads and make an impression.

Tags: Marketing, marketing tips, small business, social media marketing, viral marketing tips, viral marketing tips for small businesses, YouTube video

In this YouTube video, Asia’s no. 1 Parenting Guru Alan Yip shares some effective tips on raising your child with less stress. This video is a must-watch for every parent, especially those who are new to parenthood or want to soon join the league. The video could be the best guide to help your child attain beyond academic excellence.

Tags: parenthood, parenting, Parenting Guru, Raising Your Child, YouTube video

If you are looking to promote products and services offered by your business on the web, there is nothing more rewarding than hiring the services of an Internet marketing agency. This is not just because these are services rendered by experts, but also because they prove economical in the short and the long run. Read on!

Before we read about the association between business promotion and internet marketing agency, it is important for us to know that one of the biggest tasks before the decision-making authority of a business is to select an internet marketing company that is a well-established name in the segment of internet marketing. Once an informed decision has been made, results are obvious and tangible since potent online Internet marketing strategies identified by an internet marketing agency can facilitate dramatic business solutions in any business environment.

It is worth noting here that some of the services offered by an internet marketing agency include affiliate marketing, article marketing, banner ads, search engine marketing, pay per click advertising, blog marketing, e-mail marketing, and blogging. If that was not all, internet marketing covers many business activities such as public relations, sales, customer service, and information management.

By opting for such services, your business gets benefited in more than just a way. Internet marketing is more affordable, flexible, and result oriented than traditional forms of marketing. This form of marketing is pivotal in standardizing sales performance and improving credibility of your online business on a continuous basis. It is also effective in diversifying revenue streams and provides ample opportunities to expand area of scope besides establishing two-way communicative marketing outlook.

All in all, there is a critical association between business promotion and internet marketing agency. And if you want to put your business on the global map and stay ahead of the competition, services of an internet marketing agency will help you realize this dream of yours.

Tags: affiliate marketing, article marketing, banner ads, blog marketing, Blogging, business promotion, e-mail marketing, internet marketing, Internet Marketing Agency, Internet marketing strategies, pay-per-click advertising, search engine marketing