Technology helps in being social

Contrary to what most of us believe that technology is causing social isolation, few days back I also had a useful discussion with my friends in which we had discussed about the same thing and concluded that surely the people who use computer, internet, cell phones etc are becoming socially isolated day by day.
But a new article I read suggests that a new study has been carried out in which it is concluded that the people who use internet, cellphones etc have more diverse social network. It suggests that people’s social worlds are enhanced by new communication technologies. The research was carried in University of Pennsylvania and they pointed out that it is a mistake to believe that internet use and mobile phones plunge people into spiral of isolation. They stated that it is the first research that actually explores the connection between technology use and social isolation and they found the opposite. It found that on average, the size of people’s discussion networks is 12 per cent larger among mobile phone users, nine per cent larger for those who share photos online, and nine per cent bigger for those who use instant messaging. The diversity of people’s core networks tends to be 25 per cent larger for mobile phone users, 15 per cent larger for basic Internet users, and even larger for frequent Internet users, those who use instant messaging, and those who share digital photos online. The study found that on average in a typical year, people have in-person contact with their core network ties on about 210 days. They have mobile-phone contact on 195 days of the year, landline phone contact on 125 days and text-messaging contact on the mobile phone 125 days. They have email contact on 72 days, instant messaging contact on 55 days, contact via social networking websites on 39 days and contact via letters or cards on eight days. The study involved telephone interviews with 2,512 adults between July 9, 2008 and August 10, 2008 and has a sampling error of 2.1 per cent.

0 comments:

Post a Comment