Social networks

Internet has become indispensable to social life in Bulgaria. Through it Bulgarians make friends, socialize and keep in touch with people. In the past 20 years means of communication in Bulgaria have developed very quickly.Contact between individuals takes on new dimensions,as people can clearly see the differences between generations – todays teenagers,their parents and the Elderly people. With the rapid development of Internet and mobile phones the traditional channels of communicating through letters, postcards and landlines gave way to the conversations in Skype or Facebook. Todays Bulgarian teenagers cant imagine their everyday lifes without the usage of these social networks. The reason for this is that with the help of photos and emoticons the exchange of thoughts and feelings becomes more interesting and exciting.

Locked together in silence.

83 % of the children in Bulgaria between 9 and 15 spend hours in front of the computer every day 83 % of the children in Bulgaria between 9 and 15 spend hours in front of the computer every day

According to recent research of the European Union from 2011 about 83 percent of the children in our country between 9 and 15 use a computer every day.This number ranks Bulgaria on the top of the findings of the survey.

* Music, parties and discos – part of our life Music, parties and discos – part of our life

Yet live contact still exist. The Internet is not the only way to make new friends or communicate with other people. Most Bulgarian teenagers still prefer meeting at the discos or cafes to communicating in virtual reality. Discos and parties remain our favourite places where we communicate both verbally and non verbally. Body language, music, dances, clothes, hairstyles send the most meaningful messages.

Generation gap Generation gap

No matter whether teenagers speak face to face or use the most modern technology barriers in communication exist. They do not always listen to each other or avoid answering a question with a question. The generation gap exists and it cant be easily bridged with or without the Internet. And this is a typical example of breakdown in communication.

... and for making friends. They use the computer for doing work...

As for adults, they grew up and got basic traditional communication skills in times when there was no Internet. However, today they have to adapt quickly. These people have their own computers, smartphones and even tablets which they use successfully in their jobs. Communication at work cant develop without the usage of computers. People from this generation often make friends while working and travelling, but you can see them a lot in chat rooms too. As they say the Internet is transforming society through chat.

Cafés – traditional and Wi-FiCafés – traditional and Wi-Fi

Adults still love to sit at the table with friends, communicating face to face. The cafe is still the favourite place for meeting friends and for all kinds of contacts. More and more people tend to search for Wi-Fi cafes to combine face to face contact with the Internet. However, they are less threatened than their children to become computer addicts.

Big migration

The political changes that have taken place since 1989,the transition to market economy and the restructuring of the Bulgarian society alongside with the economic crisis have led to a big migration. Many, mostly young people in their twenties and thirties moved to bigger cities, looking for work and some of them even left the country to live, work or study abroad.

In the pub On the bench Everyday life

In a few remote villages in Bulgaria there is no Internet or mobile connection. There are villages where just several people live. Certainly, the Elderly people dont have their own computers and mobile phones and if they want to contact their relatives and friends they have to use letters, postcards or landlines. If you go to such places people may see elderly ones sitting on the benches and talking to each other about everyday life problems ­- food, health, children, politics, etc. A century old tradition for men is to go to the nearest pub or café, drink the traditional Bulgarian rakia and wine and also discuss politics for hours.

Others live in the cities and use new technologyOthers live in the cities and use new technology

Those who live in the big cities or modern villages have their own mobile phones to contact their children and grandchildren. According to a recent research one in five elderly people have two mobile phones and one in nine have a personal computer.

Projects

Many organizations try to fight the isolation of the retired by engaging them in different projects under the guidance of the European Union. Such projects were launched all over the country. Here you can see how old ladies are being taught to chat in Skype or Facebook, write s and surf in the Internet. Some schools and clubs in Bulgaria launch projects such as" In Internet with Mother, Father, Grandpa and Grandma". The project involves the students as teachers of their Grandparents. The project was launched on The European Day of Solidarity among Generations.

Petyr Palchev If you have the will, you can learn how to surf in the Internet!

If you have the will, you can learn how to surf in the Internet and chat easily without any projects. That is the case of the 63-year- old shepherd and a former military officer Petyr Palchev who learned how to use Facebook and talk to his relatives who live far away. Although he lives in a remote village he proves that all depends on your desire to fit in a constantly changing world.

The Internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow. – Bill Gates