Canadian internet users still social animals, study finds

Canadians who spend more time than others on the internet may spend more time alone, but the wide array of social tools available online means these people are far from isolated, according to a Statistics Canada study.

The study, one in the federal agency’s series on “Connectedness,” found that surveys conducted from 2003 to 2007 show that the internet has changed how people socialize, not reduced how much they socialize.

Overall, 19.2 million Canadians went online for personal non-business reasons, representing 73 per cent of the population age 16 and older, according to the latest survey results from 2007.

The researchers wanted to look at a variety of studies to see how this increasing reliance on online communication was impacting social relations.

“Although there has been much talk about negative effects of the internet, the evidence presented here does not support the notion that the internet is increasing social isolation,” the authors wrote.

“Rather, research is showing that the internet is fostering participation with community members and in social organizations.”

The study drew upon a number of surveys conducted in the last five years, most notably Canadian internet use surveys from 2005 and 2007 and general social surveys on time use, social engagement and volunteering and participating.

People who used the internet at home, particularly those who spent more than an hour a day, spent less time on traditional social activities such as spending time with family members or socializing over meals, the study found.

Canadians who spent more than an hour online per day also spent, on average, two hours more alone than non-internet users. But nearly half of internet users’ time on the computer was spent e-mailing or chatting with others. Internet users also spent more time talking on the phone than non-internet users.

Breaking down the findings by different socio-demographic groups reveals that people have embraced technology “not to escape social contact or other traditional activities but to enhance them,” the authors write.

For example, the study found young Canadians (age 15 to 24) are the most active in using the internet for volunteer opportunities. Canadian seniors are more likely to play games with others online, and recent immigrants use it more than most other Canadians.

“Does this mean immigrants are not learning English or French or that seniors are becoming reclusive?” the authors ask.

“What is more likely is that immigrants and seniors are finding companionship online where few opportunities exist in their physical environment.”

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