Social Isolation in the Digital Age: Is it Just a Myth?

There have been many questions and comments in recent years surrounding our ability to communicate with one another due to all of the advances in technology.  For many, the argument is that we’ve become a much more isolated society, which is often attributed to our newly-gained dependence on non-verbal platforms, such as texting, social media, and other internet forums (Dewey, 2014).

Studies show that our perceptions of isolation may just be a myth.  In 2009, the Pew Research Center released results of a study that sought to analyze how our use of technology may or may not effect social isolation amongst humans.  The team used regression analysis, a method which allowed them to “examine the relationship between technology use and network size while holding constant other factors such as education, age or gender” (Hampton, Sessions Goulet, Rainie, and & Ja Her, 2009).  For example, the study allowed them to compare two Americans with the same size social network and the same demographics, but with different technological habits (i.e. use of cell phone vs. no use of cell phone).

What the study found was that, while technology wasn’t necessarily responsible for restructuring our social networks, it certainly influenced them by providing a larger and more diverse array of people with whom to communicate on the internet.  Overall, internet and cell phone users were found to have more network connections than those who did not participate in online activities.  Internet and mobile phone users were just as likely, if not more likely, than their non-technologically advanced counterparts to maintain relationships with family, friends, and the local community.  The study found that internet users, particularly bloggers, were also more likely to volunteer within the local community.  Internet users were also 42% more likely than non-internet users to visit parks, plazas, or other public venues (Hampton et al, 2009). 

The study contends that, if anything, the internet is more likely to encourage engagement with one another, both on and offline, particularly since we can now access the internet just about anywhere.  It widens our network, not just locally, but globally as well.  Social media allows us to keep abreast of what’s happening in our local communities and encourages participation.  It also allows us to build connections with those of differing backgrounds who we may not otherwise reach out to. 

These findings aren’t true for everyone.  Some people in the study did report feeling less isolated pre-technology.  These findings though may have more to do with how one does or does not use technology.  Someone in today’s world who doesn’t have a solid understanding of how technology works may feel as though he is in a world of his own, and may revert back to depending solely upon face-to-face and snail mail communication forms.  At the same time, it can easily be argued that technology, in the ways described above, can widen online communities, promote engagement and participation, and make communication easier.

References

Dewey, C. (2014, March 12). 36 ways the Web has changed us - The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style-blog/wp/2014/03/12/36-ways-the-web-has-changed-us/

Hampton, K., Sessions Goulet, L., Rainie, L., & Ja Her, E. (2009, November 4). Social Isolation and New Technology | Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2009/11/04/social-isolation-and-new-technology/