Evaluation of the Evidence Concerning the Impact of the Internet on Social Capital (original) (raw)

This paper evaluates the evidence surrounding the impact of the Internet on social capital, addressing the concerns regarding technology's potential to foster social isolation. The exploration begins by analyzing conflicting arguments in the literature about whether the Internet enhances or diminishes sociability, leading to an examination of social capital as a useful framework for understanding these dynamics. The discussion incorporates studies such as Choi et al. (2011) and Ahn (2012), analyzing their methodologies and findings to assess how online interactions affect offline social networks and the implications for future research.