| Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools. |
The social support networks of internet usersUniversity of Ljubljana, Slovenia, valentina.hlebec{at}fdv.uni-lj.si
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia The available research indicates mixed results regarding the internet’s role in social relations. The article contributes to this research by studying the provision of support in egocentred social networks. Data regarding size, structure and communication channels were assessed through two specially designed surveys. The results show that the internet has a relatively limited impact on social relationships. Internet users have slightly larger social networks only in certain socially de-privileged segments (e.g. divorced, less educated). However, they reveal some specifics with respect to the structure of networks (more friends and less kin, weaker ties) and communication channels (typically the internet is used as a complement). The article also illustrates certain serious problems when drawing a causal inference from non-experimental data.
Key Words: ego-centred social networks • internet communication • internet usage • interpersonal communication • interpersonal ties • network analysis • social interaction • social support • web survey
New Media & Society, Vol. 8, No. 1,
9-32 (2006) This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
 |
|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
