(Thank you, Lars!)
Some interesting and credible evidence just arrived to lend some actual data to the ancient armchair theorists debate about whether online media enable the creation of social capital or suck the life out of face to face communities. The Pew Internet and American Life Project just released a report on “The Strength of Internet Ties,” (PDF) that “highlights how email supplements, rather than replaces, the communication people have with others in their network.” The researchers are well known experts in social network analysis of cybersocializing — John Horrigan, Jeffrey Boase, Lee Rainey, and Barry Wellman.
Our evidence calls into question fears that social relationships — and community — are fading away in America. Instead of disappearing, people’s communities are transforming: The traditional human orientation to neighborhood- and village-based groups is moving towards communities that are oriented around geographically dispersed social networks. People communicate and maneuver in these networks rather than being bound up in one solidary community. Yet people’s networks continue to have substantial numbers of relatives and neighbors — the traditional bases of community — as well as friends and workmates.
The internet and email play an important role in maintaining these dispersed social networks. Rather than conflicting with people’s community ties, we find that the internet fits seamlessly with in-person and phone encounters. With the help of the internet, people are able to maintain active contact with sizable social networks, even though many of the people in those networks do not live nearby. Moreover, there is media multiplexity: The more that people see each other in person and talk on the phone, the more they use the internet. The connectedness that the internet and other media foster within social networks has real payoffs: People use the internet to seek out others in their networks of contacts when they need help.
Because individuals — rather than households — are separately connected, the internet and the cell phone have transformed communication from house-to-house to person-to-person.
Comments
@ 15:40
The Strength of Internet Ties
“Our evidence calls into question fears that social relationships ó and community ó are fading away in America. Instead of disappearing, peopleís communities are transforming: The traditional human orientation to neighborhood- and village-based groups…
@ 13:18
I would recommend visiting the Blog by Harvard’s Program on Networked Governance headed by David Lazer. Jeff Boase is also one of the bloggers there..
The Complexity and Social networks blogs covers various issues around SNA and Networked Governance: http://www.iq.harvard.edu/blog/netgov/
You can find even more information on SNA by Ines mergel here: http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/netgov/html/sna.htm
@ 16:10
While it is true that technology has redefined our communication boundries, and I can appreciate the use of email to contact frinds and relatives overseas, I still cannnot help but feel that technology also has a very isolating affect, whereby people would now rather communicate by staring at a computer screen, rather than face to face contact
@ 04:15
It’s both interesting and exciting to see some credible evidence regarding the effects the internet has on peoples lives. Whilst this was a scientific study/report, I have to agree with Jacintas comment. I find it hard to believe that the internet fits so harmoniously into peoples lives without having any affect on their face-to-face relationships
@ 11:17
That’s the great utility of science — it enables people to try to settle arguments about issues like the relationship of online to ftf communication by looking at data rather than armchair theorizing. It is possible that the Pew data is skewed by their survey methodology or improperly controlled — and that is testable by doing polls with different methodology and controls.
@ 01:50
I too believe that the internet can have an isolating effect. The internet is continually advancing. It started off that we could keep in touch with friends and family, which was a great convenience for those who are busy and don’t always get the time to visit. Now we are able to do everyday activities online, such as our banking and grocery shopping. It is a great time-saver and is very convenient for those who work the hours these services are open. However, the lack of face to face communication can’t be all that good. We are no longer subject to the personal touch which real people provide.
@ 18:08
The internet has forced the demise of small communities and changed them int global networks enabelling individuals to interact with others all over the globe. In addition to making the world a smaller place, the internet has expanded working hours to suit different lifestyles and has allowed people to do their everyday chores in an efficient and easy manner .However, the social isolation caused as a result of the expansion of the internet is a cause of concern. With the ability to order items and services at the touch of a button, personal contact is limited. It is safe to question if the internet is then preventing communications between individuals or simply extending the options available in an everchanging society.
@ 07:25
Plato warned about the same effects…of the alphabet. The interesting part of the study cited in this post is that it goes beyond armchair theorizing and cites evidence. The Internet enables connection? The Internet causes isolation? For whom? Under what circumstances? How was the evidence for assertions collected?
@ 20:01
I am strongly agree that the internet connect people all over the world together via email, webblog,icq and friendster etc. It also made our live easier. For example,we can check any information and knowledge via internet;we can purchase online via the online shops such as eBay; we can pay our bills via the internet;we can also study via the internet courses such as open-university.Honestly,i am the person who are relying on internet so much that live will become difficult without it.
@ 18:30
As many have said above the internet can have an isolating effect on many; as it is easier to communicate through a computer screen. Emotion cannot be seen and people cannot be singled out as a target as it can leave us without a face. However it opens up the community more and keeps loved ones in contact just as blogging does as we can see what friends and family have been up to even when they may live thousands of miles away.
The internet offfers so much in the way of knowledge and information and helps make new friends pr even romances and more. Isolation can be a case as i said at the start but these are extreme cases as many of the people we chat to or call on the phone are ones we see everyday.
@ 20:59
The internet and email have inarguably changed the way in which we communicate but I think it has also contributed to the changing of social interaction. Although some may see it as negative that email and blogs have taken over from phone calls and written letters I see it as a way to strengthen and even retain relationships that probably would have otherwise died out if it were not for these technological advances. Distance is no longer a barrier for communication and relationships.
@ 21:48
The internet is creating a huge social community whereby one can talk, well, email or instant messenger a person who lives on the other side of the global. So it is enabling culture barriers to be crossed. But although social networks are being created, are they real??? If you never see the other in person and communicate through language and body language, are you really communicating, and creating a social network for yourself? When we as human are socialable animals and thrive on the company and companionship of others. As technology improves, we are able to use web cameras and microphones, but is that a social network that we want in society? A society where no one has to leave the house as they can interact with others over the net?
@ 01:25
I suppose the reason people that use the internet for communication rather than face to face communication are doing it for the simple fact that they may be an anxious type person, the internet allows for great time to think about responses without the pressure of face to face contact.