The changing meaning of the word ‘friend’

From The Atlantic: "For the 71 percent of Internet users now on Facebook, the word 'friend' includes much more tenuous associations — old classmates, colleagues, one-night stands, in some cases, people who might otherwise be complete strangers. … But relationship categories can serve an important function: An acquaintance versus a true friend, for example, signals different levels of trust and expectations. Sociologists and psychologists are examining the link between Facebook use and changes in relationship strength. Facebook may simply prolong superficial connections that would have naturally dissipated otherwise."