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Is the Internet killing our social lives?
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 [email protected]. 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. |
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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 |
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 |
17. How many clubs/societies do you belong to?
oops .. i thought this one meant forums .. do sports clubs count ? |
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 |
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 |
of course it is..but ppl outside the house suick anyways.
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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 |
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 |
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