Is the Internet killing our social lives?

[Jack the Ripper]

Hi everyone. I am currently doing a dissertation on the Internet and, to put it as simply as possible, I will be addressing the issue of whether or not the Internet improves our sociability or whether it is alienating us from each other. I am doing this as part of my third year Sociology project and I would really appreciate it if some of you could answer my questionnaire, it won't take you 5 minutes, it is very straightforward, and by answering it you will help me to determine the kind of impact the Internet has had on our social capital, community, and our bonds with each other.

The data will be kept fully confidential I can assure you. If you interested, then please reply to this question by sending me a PM (this is for confidentiality reasons, so no other forum user can see your answers), or simply e-mail me at lwu04in@reading.ac.uk. None of the questions are sensitive though. Participation is entirely volutnary, you are free to omit any questions you do not want to or can't answer. The data will be securely stored and will be destroyed as soon as I have finished with it.

Finally, if nayone is interested in the results of my survey, then please let me know and I'll send you a PM detailing my results and comments.

Once again, this is an interesting issue so I would encourage everyone to answer the questionnaire. If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please PM me or e-mail. This questionnaire has been approved by the ethics committee of the Sociology department at the University of Reading, Great Britain, so it is 100% legitimate and authorised.

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes
No

1. Are you male or female?

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White European
White other
Black African Caribbean
Black African
Indian
Pakistani
Chinese
Asian other
Mixed ethnicity

3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?

Manual working class
Semi-skilled working class
Skilled working class
Lower-middle class/clerical workers
Intermediate middle class (teachers, lower-grade professionals)
Upper middle class (doctors, highly qualified professionals)
Upper class (property owners/employers).

4. How old are you?


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

0-5 hours
6-11 hours
12-17 hours
18-23 hours
24+ hours

6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?

0-5 hours
6-11 hours
12-17 hours
18-23 hours
24-30 hours
30+ hours

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping
News websites
Political websites
Other (please specify)

8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes
No

9. How would you describe your online relationships?



10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?



11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

Yes
No

12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

Yes
No

14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?


15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes
No

16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?

Yes
No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

1-3
4-6
7-9
10+

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?

Yes
No

19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

Yes
No

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))


21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)

Improves relationships
Has no effect on relationships
Worsens relationships/makes me more isolated

22. Do you trust people you speak to online?

Yes
No

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes
No

Thank you very much for completing my questionnaire. I appreciate it.

[urgeok]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire? (what ??!!:confused: )

Yes
No

1. Are you male or female? M

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?


White other

3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?


Intermediate middle class (teachers, lower-grade professionals)

4. How old are you? 45


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

0-5 hours

6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?


30+ hours

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping

8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes


9. How would you describe your online relationships?

surreal



10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?

not really - but i feel that there are a few where there would be potential if we could hang out in real life



11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

Yes - once... big mistake.


12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?

yes - it is usually a public show of stupidity. if i want stupidity I'll hang out with stupid people.


13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

can be ...flaming/trolling. i dont like people who's sole reason for existing is to be unpleasant to other people...no matter what their self confidence problems are ..


14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?

i dont believe in online communities .. i've seen others that do.
if so its a damn fragile community.


15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes - but rarely


16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?


No

17. How many clubs/societies (forums ?) do you belong to?

1-3


18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?


No

19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?


No

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))

n/a

21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)


Has no effect on relationships


22. Do you trust people you speak to online?


Not many - a select few - define the degree of trust you're looking for ?

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes - trading stuff .. information on movies ..




............

[Vodstok]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes


1. Are you male or female? Male

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White European

3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?


Upper middle class (doctors, highly qualified professionals)

4. How old are you? 30


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

24+ hours

6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?

24-30 hours

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping
News websites


8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes


9. How would you describe your online relationships?

Mostly friendly and amicable, with the occasional confrontation

10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?

Yes. In this particular forum, i have been interacting with many of these people for 2 to almost 4 years

11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

Yes


12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?

No. It is the internet and has no bearing on my personal life.

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

No

14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?

Yes, we are a community.


15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes


16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?


No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

0

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?


No

19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

No

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))


21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)

Improves relationships


22. Do you trust people you speak to online?

Yes


23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes

[urgeok]

summary - if you are well adjusted in the first place - the internet has no impact on your social life.

if you are unbalanced - anything can be a problem

[urgeok]

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?



oops .. i thought this one meant forums ..

do sports clubs count ?

[Pasceni]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes

1. Are you male or female? Male

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White European


3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?

Skilled working class


4. How old are you? 27


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

6-11 hours


6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?

12-17 hours

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping

Other (please specify)
Web Comics

8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes


9. How would you describe your online relationships?
Casual


10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?
Yes, most of the people I converse with have similiar thoughts and opinions, and if we ever met in real life, as long as our personalities continued to mesh we could be friends.


11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

Yes


12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?
No

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

Yes


14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?
I would say I belong to a community

15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes


16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?

No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

1-3

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?

Yes


19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

Yes


20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))
Myspace

21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)

Improves relationships


22. Do you trust people you speak to online?

Yes
No

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes

[Miss Olivia]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes

1. Are you male or female? Female

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White Other


3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?

Skilled working class


4. How old are you? 28


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

12-17 hours


6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)? 30+ hours



7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping



8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes


9. How would you describe your online relationships?
Casual.


10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?
Yes, because it's not always so easy to find people who like the same things you do in real life.


11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

Yes


12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?
No

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

No.


14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?
I belong to a community

15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes


16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?

No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

1-3

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?

No, but I've signed a couple of petitions.


19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

Yes


20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))
Myspace

21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)

Improves relationships


22. Do you trust people you speak to online?

To a point.....a certain amount of trust is required for any kind of relationship. However, I am very aware that there are bad characters online just like on the street, and always use caution.

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes

[stubbornforgey]

of course it is..but ppl outside the house suick anyways.

[Roderick Usher]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?Yes

1. Are you male or female? Male
2. Which ethnic group do you belong to? White European
3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to? Skilled working class
4. How old are you? 37
5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)? 12-17 hours
6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?12-17 hours
7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply. Message boards/forums Online shopping News websites Political websites Other (porn)
8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)? Yes
9. How would you describe your online relationships? Silly
10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)? There is a certain level or gaurded dettachment that goes with being on an annonymous forum, but I have surprised by how much I enjoy cerain people's comments on a regular basis.
11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? No
12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)? No
13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online? No
14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community? I'm part of a community.
15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends? Yes
16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person? No
17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to? 1-3
18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement? Yes
19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)? No
20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s)) NONE
21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response) Has no effect on relationships
22. Do you trust people you speak to online? I trust certain members, but due of the public nature of the forum caution must be exercized at all times - so - No
23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)? Yes

[X¤MurderDoll¤X]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes


1. Male Female?

let me check... female

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White European

3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?

Intermediate middle class (teachers, lower-grade professionals)

4. How old are you?

20

5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

6-11 hours

6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?

18-23 hours

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping

8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes

9. How would you describe your online relationships?

online

10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?

not really

11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

No

12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?

no

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

No

14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?

Yes I belong to this online community.

15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

No

16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?

No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

1-3

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?

No

19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

No

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))


21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)

Worsens relationships/makes me more isolated

22. Do you trust people you speak to online?

Yes

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes

[bwind22]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes


1. Are you male or female? Male

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White European


3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?


Intermediate middle class (teachers, lower-grade professionals)


4. How old are you? 26


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?


12-17 hours


6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?


12-17 hours


7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums
Online shopping
News websites


8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes


9. How would you describe your online relationships? People I talk to about various subjects of common interest.


10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)? No. They are all still strangers on the internet.



11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

No

12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)? Concerned about it? No. It's entertaining.

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

No. People that whine about flaming are the main problem. And also internet pedophiles.


14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community? Anyone that thinks an online community is an impossibility needs to doublecheck the definitions of those words. I belong to several.


15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes


16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?

Yes


17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

1-3

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?

No


19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

Yes

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))

Myspace.com

21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)


Has no effect on relationships


22. Do you trust people you speak to online?

Not neccesarily. This question is too vague. I trust everyone to a certain extent until they give me reason not to, but would I be inviting them all over to my house? No.

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes

[Phalanx]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire? Yes

1. Are you male or female?
Yes.

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?
White European

3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?
Semi-skilled working class (student)

4. How old are you?
25

5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?
12-17 hours

6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?
24-30 hours

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.
Forums, P2P applications, news, online gaming.

8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?
Yes

9. How would you describe your online relationships?
Various, Casual, Insignificant.

10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)?
Not really, there have been times when I have been "closer" or known people better than I do now, but with a busier schedule, and some disagreements that have made things look like a bad idea in the first place, along with changes of priority, at this point, any aquiantance is casual at most...the majority of which would be the back and forth that goes on here, the small amount of time spent in the chatroom, and making digs at those I'm beating in yahoo pool.

11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet?
Couple of people, couple of years back.

12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)?
I personally see flaming as something outside of arguments, where there doesn't neccessarily have to be two willing parties involved.
Concerned by? no.
Annoyed by? yes.

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?
No, more of an expectation.

14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community?
This forum would be as close as I'd come to that...sharing conversation with those that have a few things and/or interests in common. Although, I don't consider these people peers. I don't consider this a community. To me, a community is more than an internet forum could provide.

15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?
Yes

16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?
No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?
0

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?
No

19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?
No, unless messenger programs count.

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s))
If msn and yahoo count, those, if not, none.

21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)
Makes long distance communication with family members cheaper, and quicker. I don't feel as though it adds or removes any kind of closeness.

22. Do you trust people you speak to online?
No.

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?
I have come across those that have offered different perspectives...haven't always agreed with them, but the process at least has helped me in my own decision making.

[ShankS]

I'd go as far as saying, it's increased my 'social' activity. Work, after work and on my days off I'll socialise with friends & relatives when out and about, then do the same when on my Pc through forums, instant messengers and emails and the like if I'm at home on my own.

[the_real_linda]

1. Are you male or female? fembot....i mean yes female
2. Which ethnic group do you belong to? erm i white and english...boring huh
3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to? erm dunno...i hate the class system....we did loads about it in sociology and i came out as middle cuz of what my father does....but who the frak cares
4. How old are you? 19
5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)? too much olo!
6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)? frak knows...a lot at the moment but next week my animation has to be handed in so not so much....ill be in a panic
7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? erm my emails...??? here....weird ass comic book stuff and film stuff
8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)? Yes
9. How would you describe your online relationships? erm online
10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)? take everything with a bucket full of salt...and i dont get why people are mean on the internet just cause wer not face to face.....rudeness is rudeness
11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? No
12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)? not personally but my friends have gone on about some random hoo har on this forum or some one on some other forum that annoys them and they bitch and whine and hello its pointless
13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online? No...people are mostly decent
14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community? no its possible....and yeah
15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends? Yep
16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person? yep
17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to? erm........a few
18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement? Yep
19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)? Nope
20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s)) Nope
21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response) it expands....its an amazing world oh yeah
22. Do you trust people you speak to online? im a contradiction....i dont really trust anyone....blame x files but when i do i do it blindly and too easily for wrong reasons
23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)? Yep



i agree with shanks.........its amazing how it opens up communication....like i love forums.....my mom gets bored if i talk about films.....she says im too passionate to listen to when i get going and i get obsessed with things.....internet tis good for that.


pinhead-do i look like someone who cares what god thinks
__________________

[stubbornforgey]

I refuse to answer this questionaire cos you may be trying to gather information
to pass on to the aliens who may come down and clone us..

[urgeok]

Is the Internet killing our social lives? :

i think if anything it's providing one (albiet a false one) to people who dont have the skills to have a social life.

[ShankS]

It's good for people who have nothing to do during office hours, all that paid time would just drift away into boredom.

[urgeok]

It's good for people who have nothing to do during office hours, all that paid time would just drift away into boredom.


that is absolutely correct !!

[ShankS]

that is absolutely correct !!

I knew you'd agree :p :D

[urgeok]

I knew you'd agree :p :D


last job i was at - it saved me from losing my mind .. nothing to do for 8 hours a day.
now i'm much busier but my job doesnt allow me to get away from my desk do i still post - when on conference calls, eating lunch, between tasks, etc.


so yeah .. i agree - its often a good time killer.

[Nikkif8]

Do you give your consent to answer the questionnaire?

Yes X
No

1. Are you male or female? F

2. Which ethnic group do you belong to?

White European X
White other
Black African Caribbean
Black African
Indian
Pakistani
Chinese
Asian other
Mixed ethnicity

3. Which of these social classes do you think you belong to?

Manual working class
Semi-skilled working class
Skilled working class
Lower-middle class/clerical workers X
Intermediate middle class (teachers, lower-grade professionals)
Upper middle class (doctors, highly qualified professionals)
Upper class (property owners/employers).

4. How old are you? 25


5. How much time do you spend on the Internet each week (on average)?

0-5 hours
6-11 hours
12-17 hours
18-23 hours
24+ hours X

6. How much leisure time do you spend with friends and family in person each week (on average)?

0-5 hours
6-11 hours
12-17 hours
18-23 hours
24-30 hours
30+ hours X

7. Which type of websites do you tend to visit whilst online? Select as many that apply.

Message boards/forums X
Online shopping X
News websites
Political websites
Other (please specify) X For work

8. When you’re online, do you often communicate with people from different backgrounds (i.e. people of a different nationality, ethnic group, social class, etc.)?

Yes X
No

9. How would you describe your online relationships? friends or aquaintances



10. Do you feel particularly close to your Internet contacts (please explain why or why not)? Some of them, we share a lot in common and some are people I actually know and hang with also.



11. Have you ever met up with, and befriended, someone you communicated with over the Internet? (select one of the responses)

Yes X
No

12. Have you ever been concerned about online flaming (flaming refers to heated arguments and/or abuse in online message boards/chat rooms/forums)? No

13. Would you say flaming was one of the major problems of communicating online?

Yes
No X

14. Would you say you belong to an online community, or do you think it’s impossible for a group of people who communicate over the Internet to form a community? I don't think it's impossible but I take it for what it is. People sharing common interests.


15. Do you use Computer Mediated Communications (CMC’s) such as e-mail, instant messaging, and message forums to communicate with your personal, close relationships such as family and friends?

Yes X and work
No

16. Do you feel as close to your family and friends when you are communicated via the Internet/e-mail as you would do in person?

Yes X
No

17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?

1-3 X
4-6
7-9
10+

18. Have you ever joined an online protest movement?

Yes
No X

19. Have you ever joined any groups which use networking via the Internet to put people in touch with each other (for example, Facebook.com)?

Yes X
No

20. Which groups are these? (specify the name(s) of the group(s)) Myspace


21. On the whole, would you say using the Internet improves your relationships with other people, or it has no effect on people’s relationships, or does it make you more isolated/alienated from other humans? (select one response)

Improves relationships
Has no effect on relationships X
Worsens relationships/makes me more isolated

22. Do you trust people you speak to online? Some of them.

Yes
No

23. Have you come across someone online who has helped you out in some way (i.e. by giving you advice)?

Yes X
No

Thank you very much for completing my questionnaire. I appreciate it.

[stubbornforgey]

Is the Internet killing our social lives? :

i think if anything it's providing one (albiet a false one) to people who dont have the skills to have a social life.

this is nicely put.

Its really up to the individual.
In my opinion...its true ..the internet has taken away the lives of many
ppl out there..but like any well oiled machine...
the internet is also just another machine that can be either turned on or off.
So to speak..you can also lay blame to the p.s...the xbox..t.v (try finding a sociable male when its rugby/football season)

[Jack the Ripper]

Thanks very much for answering my questionnaire guys. I know there're a lot of things wrong with it. To be honest though, I am only an undergraduate student who has to write his terrible dissertation (which isn't going so well at the moment), so if the questionnaire appears, well, amateurish then that's why. I know some of the questions aren't coherent but like I said it is a first-time effort so I apologise.

But thanks for answering it anyway. I much appreciate it. I still need to do some stuff with the dissertation, but your responses were very helpful. Now I just have to write the whole bloody thing up and do all the boring statistical analyses, charts, etc.

[Zero]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q108/zerohdc/bmonkey2.jpg

[LilMissScareAll]

I know this is an old thread, but I just had to say, if it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't HAVE a social life. Period. I barely have one now, but if I didn't have the internet, I seriously wouldn't have any human contact(well except my parents and a few family members). I have social anxiety and I can't just go up to random people and start talking to them like most normal people can. Plus, most of the people in my town suck, so I don't want to get to know most of them anyway. Most people I meet are from other towns nearby--people I would never have the chance of getting to know if not for the internet. I've even found a female friend recently, and I would have never met her if not for the internet.

[Phalanx]

I know this is an old thread, but I just had to say, if it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't HAVE a social life. Period. I barely have one now, but if I didn't have the internet, I seriously wouldn't have any human contact(well except my parents and a few family members).
I could well be in a similar situation in a few months, well...mainly just out of location change...my mother and brother (relatively) nearby, my girl, my cat, and that'll be it, I'll literally not know one person...completely new "city" which is 8 hours by train away from where I live now. I'd get my friends to come hang out but that won't be often, costs like $100 to get there and back. I suppose I'll pick up some wheels when I get there which'll make it "ok", but still, it's a little daunting.

[stubbornforgey]

I can relate

em stepping out of my comfort zone.
Leaving not only my country but a town an area where
I am very popular with my peers and going where i am virtually
an unknown with no family what so ever.
My baby has offered to bring over family members and friends if i want
but nah..
A whole new different culture .
a whole new way of life
a whole new set of rules.
But you know what..??
I am a little scared but so excited at the same time
and i wouldn't have it any other way .
It shouldn't take me long to make new friends..
i already have a bestfriend over there :o

[Phalanx]

I am a little scared but so excited at the same time
I feel you there...it's like letting go, it's a big thing...

[Spallalala]

Shut up and just move dammit..hehe

I didn't answer the questions just cos I don't really have a social life. Don't actually require one.
Don't like most people so its not so bad haha