According to researchers working in the field of loneliness, John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick, "at any given time roughly 20% of individuals—that would be 60 million people in the US alone—feel sufficiently isolated for it to be a major source of unhappiness in their lives."

In the eBook, Plugging Into The Social Network, author Paul Horton presents the case in an essay, for Facebook acting a stepping stone towards making social connections for those who have difficulties interacting socially in a real-life encounters. He has reason to believe that a fair percentage of persons who are shy & lonely, may in fact have Asperger's Syndrome or be on the borderline of the Autistic Spectrum (and are prone to those conditions).

The main feature is a guide on how online connections can lead to making acquaintances & friends in the real world. He shares tips on how posting the right material can boost self-esteem and confidence which can help a person then push themselves to seek out social engagements in their local area. To top things off, an extensive Resource Section is provided with lists of articles about various aspects of Facebook and social networking along with info on crowdfunding, as well recommendations for general info and related Facebook Pages to Like.

While the target audience for the book is primarily individuals on the higher-end of the Autistic Spectrum, it will also be of great interest to others who may be shy and have difficulty socializing.

From the Introduction:

"I see Facebook as being a significant piece of the puzzle in helping the shy & lonely to gain confidence & boost their self-esteem so that they can in turn, make some real-life connections. Facebook has made connecting with a tribe, easier than ever, it's up to individuals to take the steps to make the social connections waiting to be made.

To me, the biggest thing about Facebook is sharing; whether it be how you are doing, something you created, something you found to be informative, humorous or inspiring. When you share something that gets a large number of Likes and positive Comments, it definitely boosts your self-esteem and the majority of my Posts, get at least a few Likes and sometimes ten or more Likes, along with multiple Comments on a regular basis. So I want to share some insights on how to make your FB experience one that is personally rewarding and helps you in socially connecting."