Social Isolation and New Technology - Pew Research Center - 1 views
pewresearch.org/...mpact-american-social-networks
technology mobile phones networks social isolation
shared by Jennifer Jocz on 05 Nov 09
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Americans are not as isolated as has been previously reported. People's use of the mobile phone and the internet is associated with larger and more diverse discussion networks.
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Our survey results challenge the finding that an increasing number of Americans have no one with whom they can discuss important matters. However, our findings support existing research that suggests that the average size and diversity of core discussion networks have declined.
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ownership of a mobile phone and participation in a variety of internet activities were associated with larger and more diverse core discussion networks.
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Social networking services, such as Facebook, provide new opportunities for users to maintain core social networks.
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Contrary to the assumption that internet use encourages social contact across vast distances, we found that many internet technologies are used as much for local contact as they are for distant communication.
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Contrary to the argument that internet use limits people's participation in the local community, local institutions and local spaces, our findings show that most internet activities are associated with higher levels of local activity. However, we find some evidence that use of social networking services (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn) substitutes for some level of neighborhood involvement.
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internet use, and in particular the use of social networking services, are independently associated with higher levels of network diversity.