Does the Internet make us lonely?

The Internet and its potential eects on society receive much attention in public discussions. Many discussants expect that the World Wide Web will enhance global trade of products and services and thus will increase economic wealth. However, social scientists are concerned with possible social side-eects of the Internet. Specically, a recent experimental study by Robert This study sheds doubt on the generality of these ndings. Results from a survey of 15 842 Internet users and a control group of 1196 non-users conducted in Switzerland suggest that Internet use neither decreases respondents' network size nor the time spent with friends.The study also shows that electronic mail is widely used and has positive eects on people's social networks.The study uses many socio-demographic control variables and statistical methods to control for simultaneity.