Earlier this year, I wrote a post called The Town Hall Isn’t Dead to counter the claims by some that new online tools have made society less social and more introverted. As I wrote in that post, new online tools actually have brought us closer together.
This is an idea that also addressed in my recent presentation to the U.S. Chamber Regional Government Affairs Conference.
Well, the Pew Internet & American Life Project released a new study this week that backs up our claims:
This Pew Internet Personal Networks and Community survey finds that Americans are not as isolated as has been previously reported. People’s use of the mobile phone and the internet is associated with larger and more diverse discussion networks. And, when we examine people’s full personal network – their strong and weak ties – internet use in general and use of social networking services such as Facebook in particular are associated with more diverse social networks.
The lead author of the report provides further context in this story by the American Foreign Press:
“All the evidence points in one direction,” said Keith Hampton, lead author of the report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project released Wednesday. “People’s social worlds are enhanced by new communication technologies. “It is a mistake to believe that Internet use and mobile phones plunge people into a spiral of isolation,” said Hampton, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania.
“It turns out that those who use the Internet and mobile phones have notable social advantages,” Hampton said. “People use the technology to stay in touch and share information in ways that keep them socially active and connected to their communities.”
We agree. Online tools are bringing us closer and allowing us to engage in ways we never thought possible.
Long live the Town Hall.
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