As the Internet has rapidly become a mainstream medium, the social impact of the Internet has been a topic of ongoing debate. Some studies have found that Internet use is associated with reduced social networks and increased loneliness.
Internet use appears to cause a decline in psychological well-being, {{U}}(31) {{/U}} to research at Carnegie Mellon University. Even people {{U}}(32) {{/U}} spent just a few hours a week {{U}}(33) {{/U}} the Internet experienced more depression and loneliness {{U}}(34) {{/U}} those who logged on less frequently, the two-year study showed. And it wasn't {{U}}(35) {{/U}} people who were already feeling had spent more time on the internet, {{U}}(36) {{/U}} that using the Net actually appeared to {{U}}(37) {{/U}} the bad feelings.
Researchers are puzzling over the results, {{U}}(38) {{/U}} were completely contrary {{U}}(39) {{/U}} their expectation. They expected that the Net would {{U}}(40) {{/U}} socially healthier than television, since the Net allows {{U}}(41) {{/U}} to choose their information and to communicate {{U}}(42) {{/U}} others.
The fact {{U}}(43) {{/U}} Internet use reduces time available for family and friends may account {{U}}(44) {{/U}} the drop in well-being, researchers hypothesized. Faceless, bodiless "virtual" communication may be less psychologically satisfying than {{U}}(45) {{/U}} conversation, and the relationships formed through it may be shallower. {{U}}(46) {{/U}} possibility is that exposure {{U}}(47) {{/U}} the wider world via the Net makes users less {{U}}(48) {{/U}} with their lives.
"But it's important to remember this is {{U}}(49) {{/U}} about the technology, per se; it's about {{U}}(50) {{/U}} it is used," says psychologist Christine Riley of Intel, one of the study's sponsors. "It really points to the need for considering social factors in terms of how you design applications and services for technology."