Internet Not the Social Hinder it Was

imjustatomato writes "A 1998 study showed that the Internet causes declines in social relationships and isolation, similarly to how television causes social disengagement and bad moods. This is the 'Internet Paradox' because while the internet is heavily used for communication, it makes people lonelier. However, a more recent study shows that now the internet has a positive effect on social and psychological well-being. This is even more so for those who have more social support and are extroverted in nature. Interestingly, frequent Internet use is associated with a decline in local knowledge and interest in living in the local area."

Comments

5 years out of date! tell us other old things!

[fantomas]

For goodness sake, this is pushing it a bit far, reporting on 5 year old papers. In other latest news from 2002 - New Orleans happy with flood defences, Lebanese economy doing well with current peaceful regional politics, British Airways relaxes security on air travel a year after 9/11 .... sigh ! :-)

I live in an apartment complex.

[gettingbraver]

And I would rather be online than talk to some of my loser neighbors. And I know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Re:Define social and psychological well-being

[indifferent children]

they are more sincerely curious about how one goes about making friends on the Internet

You pop into a chat room and announce, "I'm a cute, lonely 13 year old girl." The friends practically make themselves.

Re:Staring

[dragonsomnolent]

To be sure, if you lived in Israel/Lebanon, it might even behoove you to not go outside to find out what's going on.