Assignment (without the formatting it had in microsoft word )

The impact of the internet upon social relationships and interactions.

The vast importance of the internet and the role it plays in everyday life is well documented. Its interconnected system of networks is essential to the modern everyday existence of society. Indeed, the interconnection of commercial, educational, governmental and private sectors of the world is of paramount importance. So much so, that removal of the internet would see a disintegration of methods, systems and structure that permit functioning of business, information technology, health and industry. The importance and implications of the internet also exist on an interpersonal and social level. Much research has focused upon the impact of the internet upon social relationships.
Social relationships are a core element of what it is to be human. For years theorists have documented the importance of social needs. Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a model that describes human motivation and needs, states that the need for love and belongingness is necessary after physiological (eg- food, water, shelter) and safety (safety of the body, family, resources) needs have been met. According to Maslow, it is an intrinsic and necessary part of human motivation that a human has friendship, sexual intimacy and the support of a loving and communicative family. Furthermore, it is important that humans belong and feel accepted by those with whom they are involved “socially”. This is true of both large groups, such as religious groups, sports teams, clubs etc, and smaller groups, such as family members, partners and close friends. Without the meeting of this basic human need a human is vulnerable to loneliness, depression, anxiety and other psychological problems.
With the advent of the internet, a new medium has arisen that provides a place where this need of love and belongingness may be found. “People use the internet intensely for interpersonal communication, sending and receiving email, contacting friends and family via instant messaging services, visiting chat rooms or subscribing to distribution lists, among other activities” – (Cummings, Butler & Kraut, 2002, p103). The evolution of internet based applications such as MSN messenger, web cam programs, Skype and Email has added new ways to communicate. Often these methods are faster and more cost efficient than traditional non-internet based methods such as posting a letter or telephone calls. However, there is contention concerning whether the internet, its associated communication and social relationships established from the use of the internet, is positive or not.
A study by Nie & Erbring (2002) concerning the sociological impact of information technology, surveyed 4113 individuals activities, social life and performance of other activities. The authors reported that the more time people spend using the internet, the more they lose contact with their social environment. Furthermore, people who use the internet heavily reported spending less time communicating with their family and friends. Participants attended fewer events outside the home and also spent less time with family. Kraut, Patterson, Lundmark, Kiesler, Mukophadhyay & Scherlis (1998) presented longitudinal evidence that showed that new internet users had diminished social involvement as a result of increased online time. The results showed that there was decreased communication within the family, a decreased local social network and also increased depression and loneliness within reported participants. However, research providing contrary evidence also exists. Katz and Aspen (1997) surveyed 2500 participants. The authors found that use of the internet in no way reduced people’s membership in either social or religious organisations. Subsequent work by Katz & Rice (2002) in their examination through surveys of internet use and disuse and associated social impact, supported the earlier work of Katz and Aspen (1997) finding that internet usage did not increase social isolation. In fact, their results showed that there was more frequent sociability for internet users than non internet users.
Possible explanations for such contradicting evidence has been attempted to be explained by problems with methodology, including the use of non representative samples and inconsistencies in the reliability of surveying techniques, such as social desirability. Nevertheless, while accounts of whether the internet increases or decreases social interaction and relationships are inconclusive, the defining factor may lie within the quality of the relationship.
It is argued that online social interaction is not as deep and meaningful as offline social interaction; therefore the quality is not as high. A quality relationship is defined as a relationship that satisfies the needs and wants of the individual and in the relationship’s ability to establish a sense of identity and belonging by utilising support. Evidence provided by Kraut et al (2002) suggests that “computer-mediated communication, and in particular email, is less valuable for building and sustaining close social relationships than face to face contact and telephone conversations” – (Kraut et al., 2002, p104). Coget, Yamauchi & Suman (2002) outline that internet users replace strong face to face ties with weak online ties. While online user’s interaction occurs with a greater number of people, this interaction often lacks the depth that is seen in non internet relationships. “The internet has a negative impact on people’s relationships, because it decreases their quality” – (Coget et al, 2002, p184). Another possible explanation for the shallowness of online relationships is due to the possible anonymity that the internet provides. A majority of internet users maintain an “online identity”. With this persona, a user ultimately deletes any historical information that defines their offline identity. Finally, while relationships that do not involve the internet mainly involve local interaction, online relationships may involve geographically dispersed participants. Therefore, information provided to the online participants may be less involved due to their lack of physical involvement and the input and interaction they may be able to provide.
The impact of the internet upon social relationships and interaction is of great importance due to the inevitable growth of information technology, in particular the internet. While debate remains as to whether social interactions and relationships are positively or negatively affected by internet use, evidence shows that the quality of the relationship or interaction is a definitive factor in the effect it has on human functioning.

References
Butler, B., Cummings, J., & Kraut, R., (2002). The Quality of Online Social Relationships. Communications of the ACM, 45, 103-108.
Boneva, B., Crawford, A., Cummings, J., Helgeson, V., Kiesler, S., & Kraut, R., (2002). Internet Evolution and Social Impact. IT & Society, 1, 120-134.
Coget, J., Suman, M., & Yamauchi, Y., (2002). The Internet, Social Networks and Loneliness. IT & Society, 1, 180-201.
Erbring, L. & Nie, N., (2002). Internet and Society: A Preliminary Report. IT & Society, 1, 275-283.
Katz, J. & Rice. R., (2002). Project Syntopia: Social Consequences of Internet Use. IT & Society, 1, 166-179.
Kiesler, S., Kraut, R., Lundmark, V., Mukophadhyay, T., Patterson, R. & Scherlis, W., (1998). Internet Paradox: A social Technology that reduces Social Involvement and psychological well-being. American Psychologist, 53, 1017-1031.
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