Nobody laughs when I say :-)

Study: Family, Friends Reduce Quality Internet Time

(2004-12-31) -- A new survey from the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society shows that relationships with family and friends may reduce both the quantity and quality of time spent surfing the internet.

Researchers say the new data show that Americans enjoy the internet less, and use it less frequently when burdened by "outdated relational protocols and so-called family responsibilities."

"We're really talking about a rip in the fabric of society," said one unnamed Stanford researcher. "Internet users who are saddled with too many face-to-face relationships report a decreased level of satisfaction with their virtual relationships."

As news of the study broke, several internet advocacy groups called an impromptu summit to discuss the implications of a world where people actually hear each other laugh out loud, and share smiles without the use of emoticons.

WHOA - You know what - at first I thought this was a made-up article! But there really is a Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society, and they really did release the results of a study on Net usage. The study will be posted on the website on Monday.

From the NYT article:

According to the study, an hour of time spent using the Internet reduces face-to-face contact with friends, co-workers and family by 23.5 minutes, lowers the amount of time spent watching television by 10 minutes and shortens sleep by 8.5 minutes.

The researchers acknowledged that the study data did not answer questions about whether Internet use itself strengthened or weakened social relations with one's friends and family.

"It's a bit of a two-edged sword," Mr. [Norman] Nie said. "You can't get a hug or a kiss or a smile over the Internet." Many people are still more inclined to use the telephone for contact with family, he said.

I don't know that this is all bad news. My dad, brother and I live in separate parts of the country. Every Friday, we e-mail each other the week's news. We never telephoned each other with such frequency, so I think e-mail keeps us in better contact.

And whoever says you can't get a smile over the internet was never a blogger with you folks for visitors.

Comments

[Jo]

Dude. Truer words have never been blogged.