Dan Reisinger of Cnet News reported in the article Study: Internet use won’t cause social isolation (November 5, 2009) that contrary to the popular belief, the Internet in fact does not limit people’s social interactions.
According to a Pew Internet Personal Networks and Community survey, which polled 2,512 adults, the dawn of new technology and the Internet has not caused people to withdraw from society.”
The study states that not much has changed in terms of social behaviour since 1985. The Pew study states, “6 percent of the entire population currently has no one with whom they can discuss important matters or who they consider to be especially significant in their life.”
Pew found that Americans’ “discussion networks” have shrunk by about a third, but it is by no means the fault of the Internet. In fact, the study found that mobile phone users and active Web users often result in greater and more “diverse core discussion networks.”
Social media websites like Twitter, Facecbook and Myspace, according to the article, are helping society expand social interaction. “According to Pew, those who use the Internet frequently “are much more likely to confide in someone who is of another race.” Users who share photos online are more likely to discuss political topics with someone of a different party, the organization found.”
The article goes on to list interesting statistics, which demonstrate that Internet users are:
- 45 percent more likely to visit a cafe,
- 52 percent more likely to visit a library,
- 34 percent more likely to visit a fast-food restaurant,
- 69 percent more likely to visit other restaurants,
- 42 percent more likely to visit a public park,
- However, Internet users are 36 percent less likely to visit a religious institution
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