Study: Online Social Networking Keeps Friends Together

[mandy]

The Internet and e-mail help to expand and strengthen the social ties that people maintain in the offline world, according to a new report released today by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. The report, "The Strength of Internet Ties," highlights how e-mail supplements the communication people have with others in their network.

"Internet use provides online Americans a path to resources, such as access to people who may have the right information to help deal with family health crises or find a new job,"...

"The Internet and the cell phone have transformed communication: Instead of being based on house-to-house interactions, they are built on person-to-person exchanges," maintained Wellman, also a co-author of the report. "This creates a new basis for community. Rather than relying on a single community for social support, individuals often must actively seek out a variety of appropriate people and resources for different situations."

full article: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/QIzk...ther.xhtml