Effects of Communication Technology On Local Communities - Family and Community Connections

Family and Community Connections

It was found that Internet medium does not replace the telephone medium, which is used as the primary source of communities. Internet users still use the telephone to keep in contact with those close to them. In fact, research has showed that most of the people who use Instant Messaging are found to be those whom you have a face-to-face relationship with. The Internet can connect communities through free websites like Welcome to the town, and Icqpeople.

There is debate as to whether the Internet isolates users or connects them to more social networks. Some believe that Internet use at home has a strong negative impact on time spent with friends and family as well as time spent on social activities, but Internet use at work has no such effect. Similarly, Internet use during weekend days is more strongly related to decreased time spent with friends and family and on social activities than Internet use during weekdays. Time online is largely an asocial activity that competes with, rather than complements, face to-face social time. However, it is the location and timing of Internet use that determines how interpersonal relationships are affected.