9 replies to this topic

[Neon]

The internet has played an important role in the life decisions of 60 million Americans, research shows.
Whether it be career advice, helping people through an illness or finding a new house, 45% of Americans turn to the web for help, a survey by US-based Pew Internet think-tank has found.

It set out to find out whether the web and e-mail strengthen social ties.

The answer seems to be yes, especially in times of crisis when people use it to mobilise their social networks.

New community

In the past, it has been suggested that the internet and e-mail could diminish real relationships.

But the report, entitled The Strength of Internet Ties, found that e-mail supplements rather than replaces offline communications.

"The larger, the more far-flung, and the more diverse a person's network, the more important e-mail is," said Jeffrey Boase, one of the report's authors.

TURNING TO THE NET
21 million Americans use it to get additional career training
Helps 17 million when dealing with major illness
17 million use it for choosing a school for a child
16 million use it to buy a car
16 million use it for a major financial decision
10 million use it for finding new place to live
8 million use it when changing job
7 million use it to cope with family illness
Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project

"You can't make phone calls or personal visits to all your friends very often, but you can 'cc' them regularly with a couple of keystrokes. That turns out to be very important," he said.

[RedInferno]

Wow, those are some impressive numbers

[ShadowFox]

I'd believe it, I am not very sociable IRL but I have more internet friends than I thought were possible in one lifetime!

[Neon]

cos i hooked you up with some internet legends!

[tnctx02]

Neon, on Jan 26 2006, 05:18 PM, said:

cos i hooked you up with some internet legends!

Point out the legends! I want autographs!!

[ShadowFox]

Umm Karl, you had nothing to do with me meeting people, I've been on the internet since I was 13 so I that for teh 6-8 months I've known you, no offence, but you haven't made that much of an impact on my social life LOL

[Neon]

I did help

[ShadowFox]

yes, you have gained me more friends but it's not jsut because of you , but thanks karl, I appreciate all you have done for me!

[Linoman]

Damn I wonder what the world wide figures are?

[Neon]

As you can imagine huge, i don't know of any places in reality without Internet Access