The Internet and Social Interaction
The Internet and Social Interaction
A Meta-analysis and Critique of Studies, 1995–2003
One of the central questions animating much social-science research on the social impact of new technology is the specific effect it has on social relationships. This chapter provides a quantitative literature review, a meta-analysis, of 16 empirical studies investigating the association of Internet use with measures of social activity. Collectively, the data show little influence of Internet use on social activities. Effect sizes were generally small and inconsistent. However, research methods make a difference in the conclusions one draws. The results depend both on the type of social relationship analysed (family versus friend) and the type of research method deployed (cross-sectional versus panel surveys). For instance, studies using panels indicate that Internet use increases social interaction with friends more than interaction in other types of relationships.
Keywords: social activity, social relationships, social impact, new technology, Internet use
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