Information and Communication TechnologyEssay Preview: Information and Communication TechnologyReport this essayIn the last few decades ICT (information and communication technology) is rapidly growing and influencing virtually all domains of humans lives.Some research suggests that during 90s internet was used mostly for entertainment such as surfing and playing different games (Valkenburg & Soeters, 2001), while with a new millennium it is more and more used for interpersonal communication in a forms of chat, e-mails, forums and social networks (Gross, 2004; Lenhart, Madden, & Hitlin, 2005).We spend more and more time on internet, and in recent years web became an important, if not unavoidable mechanism for creating, enchasing and maintaining people communication and social contacts.
Internet is surely the ultimate device that differs new generations from previous cohorts, so it is not surprising that parents are worried about how it influences the development of their children (Turrow, 1999). Although it looks obvious that too-frequent use of internet might decrease regular social contacts, and other activities (such as doing sports, going to movies or theater, hanging out with friends), it is also undoubtable that social networks, online chats and other devices may help creating and maintaining social contacts.
Although it allows easy contacts with many different people, and instant communication with almost everyone on the planet, some authors argue that using internet for communication will result in displacement of communication, and that people need real-life face-to-face communication while internet is an inadequate substitute. Results of Nie, Hillygus, & Erbring (2002) supported Displacement theory since they demonstrate that those who use internet more, often spend less time with family and friends, and feel more loneliness and depression. Similary, Parks & Roberts (1989) discovered that on-line social relationships are weaker than off-line relations, and in Cummings research, persons who used e-mail considered it less valuable compared to “live” communication.
On the other hand, if internet is used mostly for communication, and it is well known that communication and social contacts improve well being (XXX), it is logical to assume that people who frequently use internet for communication activities will be happier. Stimulation theories argue that communication via internet might enchase social contacts and reflect on wellbeing. Several research supported this theory and showed that internet use is positively associated to the time spent with existing friends (Kraut et al., 2002), to the closeness of existing friendships (Valkenburg & Peter, 2007), and to well-being (Kraut et al., 2002,; Morgan & Cotten, 2003, Shaw & Gant, 2002). Furthermore, some research (e.g. Diener, Suh, Lucas & Smith, 1999) has found that internet communication improves peoples level of social support and could have important effect on persons social life since
The importance of this association with “social well-being”, and the social connection among people interested in communicating and sharing information, are two questions. We use this opportunity to discuss what has been revealed about internet use, social support systems, and other aspects of human society.
Internet participation and well-being
There is no doubt that people who use various social networks are able to develop well-being in different ways. A major cause of this is that many of us feel connected with a wider population of people. There is also strong evidence that social interactions become more pleasant, healthier, and less stressful by the time of our online activities (for example, Folsom et al., 2008; Liao et al., 2004). Social activity, which can be assessed in many ways through a variety of activities, can be analysed in social psychology. For example, a recent study found no difference in social cognition between those who did and not go online (Gapolska, 2004; Charny, 1996).
It is worth mentioning that many individuals on the left and right use social networks on a daily basis. This means that there is evidence for the existence of a “brain network” for people to engage in social interactions such as conversation, social media, blogging and sharing (Shaw &, 2005). In practice, these individuals have been shown to contribute to, and contribute to, the social networks of others. It is also worth noting that social networking has the potential effect of facilitating the social process because there is a very positive correlation between online activity and the social activities of the individuals.
In general, social network use is associated with better health outcomes; health outcomes include higher average life length and better educational outcomes and fewer disability conditions. One study (Mansfield &, 2005) reported that people who used social networking during work hours had better physical health, mental health and well-being through the first year. Similarly, in a recent study, participants who used networked social (miles in duration) online had a positive difference in physical health and mental health compared with those without networking networked communication networks. In other words, social networks are also involved in overall health and well-being if they do not impair each other (Hobbs, 2003).
The benefits of networking
Although some evidence does point to beneficial effects of internet use on health, it does not seem to be significant. The majority of studies that have examined the benefits of social network use have involved individuals in different social networks who used different social networking sites. These social networks have been examined a lot but we suggest that internet use is related to positive social connections and good health as outlined above.
This would seem to be an oversimplification of internet use. It seems that internet use enhances social relationships during social interaction. This is not the case given that the majority of studies conducted about such interactions have shown many positive outcomes. However, we believe that even just to an extent as to the health effects of social networking – whether you use online or not, there is evidence that internet use positively affects the well-being that is associated with interacting with people for a number of reasons.
The health benefits
The health benefits associated with social networking are probably quite interesting. The major benefits are an increased physical fitness, improved sleep, healthier mental health, healthier relationships with family member, and better mental health of individuals.
People who use social networking also have some of