Strong Ties: 43% of Internet users feel as "strongly" about virtual communities as real ones
From Darlene Fichter's blog "Blog on the side"...
The 2007 Digital Future Project annually surveys more than 2,000 people across the USA about the impact of online technology on users and non-users. This year they noted that Internet is finally having a powerful personal and social impact on people's lives.
Key Findings (PDF):
Internet use is growing and evolving as an instrument for personal engagement Â? through blogs, personal Web sites, and online communities
More than 1/5 of online community members have taken off-line actions related to their online involvement
Participation in online communities leads to social activism with more than 40% saying they participate more
Number of internet users who blog or post photos is up three fold since 2003
56.6% log into their community daily
Internet users are more actively communicating with friends and families since going online and have made new friends
Time spent with close friends or family face-to-face has not decreasedd since going online
"The Digital Future Project found continuing growth of the Internet for connection to family and friends Â? but with virtually no negative effects on time spent in person with them."
Read more at: http://www.digitalcenter.org/pdf/2007-Digital-Future-Report-Press-Release-112906.pdf