Internet and the rise of network individualism
A survey by US-based Pew Internet think-tank found that the internet has played a vital role in the decisions of 60 million Americans.
21 million Americans use it to get additional career training
17 million for dealing with major illness
17 million for choosing a school for a child
16 million to buy a car
16 million for a major financial decision
10 million for finding new place to live
8 million when changing job
7 million to cope with family illness
Co-author of the report, sociologist Barry Wellman, sees this as evidence of what he calls networked individualism - where internet users are less bound to local groups and increasingly part of more geographically scattered networks. Moreover, the research suggests that email tends to solidify real friendships, rather than replace them.
Tha Strength of Internet Ties, Pew Internet [PDF]
Internet serves as ’social glue’, BBCNews.co.uk