If you want to keep up with friends and family why not just email them or phone them?

[Huh]

Some people prefer to see all their friends and family at one time. Instead of making arrangements and planning out a schedule for each person.
An email may take awhile. You send an email today and the recipient may not check it for 2 months or so.
A phone call....you have to know their work schedule and livestyle. If you call them...they might be at work....sitting through a meeting, driving or giving a presentation somewhere. Everytime you call....it could be a bad time for them.
Visiting.......you could have people 1500 miles away, always too busy for a phone call and rarely check emails but they love twitter and facebook.
You can check facebook and twitter anywhere. There is apps for your android/
smartphone. So it's easy and convenient for everyone.