Are Children More Socialized Due to the Internet, Research Paper Example

Section I: Project Explanation Proposal

The nature of this project is to determine whether children are more socialized due to the internet. We all know that media plays a very active role in the lives of adults and children alike. However, the research here will describe how important the internet is to a child’s socialization. Does it hurt them? Does it help them? Does it give them more leverage when speaking directly about socialization especially with their peers? Children are capable of being influenced by many things. They are influenced by their parents, teachers, counselors, peers, and media. Therefore, it is the researcher’s intent to find out whether these children are influenced socially by the internet and if so, how are they and to what extent. According to Tom R. Tyler (2002), “the Internet has created an electronic mail system, merging the speed and flexibility of the telephone with the written character of the mail” (195). It is estimated that 149 million people use the Internet worldwide and that number is increasing at a very high rate, 12% every month (Affonso, 1999, 1).  Meena Kumari Rajani and M.S. Chandio (2004) state:

Kraut et al [4] conducted a longitudinal study on the effects of Internet on social involvement and psychological well-being. It is shown in their findings that the greater use of the Internet was significantly associated with decreased community within the family, a decreased local social network, and loneliness and depression” (157).

However, this is not the case in all studies that have been conducted. “Wellman [7] made a survey on ‘the National Geographic Society website’ and came out with the suggestions that the Internet is increasing interpersonal connectivity and organizational involvement” (Rajani & Chandio, 2004, 157). According to Rajani and Chandio (2004), there is one school of thought that considers the Internet to be making people more isolated, depressed, and lonely. However, the other school of thought is that the Internet is a place where people are able to socialize and meet a variety of people who have the same interests (158).

The population or sample that is being studied here is children between the ages of 6-16. The researcher believes that these are the most influential years and finds it important to see just how much of a role the Internet plays in the socialization of children within this age range. For this project, the researcher will use probability sampling and will conduct all surveys via mail.

The level of significance in this study is 5%. This level of significance is important as it is the critical probability between the null hypothesis and the alternate hypothesis.

The dependent variable in this case is the ways in which the children use the Internet in order to become more socialized.

The independent variable in this case is the age of the children in which are being studied.

Null Hypothesis: There is no difference in the way that children are socialized by the Internet no matter how they use it, how often they use it, or how they are monitored by the use of their Internet privileges.

Alternate Hypothesis: There is a difference in the way in which children are socialized by the Internet depending on how they use the Internet such as by using social networking, chat rooms, blogging and other ways in which to communicate with others, how often they use the Internet, as well as how they are monitored by others including teachers and parents.

Other important factors that need to be considered include how children are using the Internet, who they are talking to on the Internet, the chat rooms in which they are going into, research they may be picking up from the Internet, and to what extent they are actually socializing with Internet buddies outside of the cyber world. These factors all make a difference in the true definition of whether these children are actually more socialized due to the Internet or if they are just using the Internet for the wrong purposes. These factors will make an impact on how many researchers see the difference in socialization based on Internet use.

This is a very important topic to review as it shows parents, teachers, counselors and many others just how important the Internet is to a child’s ability to socialize with others. It gives them the chance to talk to others, learn from others, and gain access to information that could help them socialize in face-to-face interactions with others. It is also important to understand that children/teenagers are consumers themselves. This is something to factor into the equation. Christina K.C. Lee and Denise M. Conroy (2003) state “the ability to access information easily from all over the world is very likely to change the way teenagers learn about consumer products and services; the ability to befriend and to interact with friends globally must also influence the way teenagers view the world” (1708). It is also important to take into account that some teenagers use the Internet for purposes of fun and relaxation. “The internet allows the adolescent to participate in the learning process; users are able to synthesize their understanding by trying things out. Such learning is intrinsically motivated by a desire to experience ‘flow’ – a sense of relaxation and control, a time passing activity which is enjoyable and fun” (Lee & Conroy, 2003, 1709). Finally, the Internet is really used for “social learning, communication, social relationships and to foster a sense of belonging through shared play and virtual club membership. It is a virtual place where individuals interact socially with others to share similar interests and where friendships are nurtured” (Lee & Conroy, 2003, 1710).

Literature Review

The Internet has brought about many ways in which children are able to socialize these days. There are chat rooms, IM, messenger applications, e-mail, social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, discussion forms, and blogs just to name a few. All of these networks help children and teenagers become involved with individuals of their own age and their own interests. According to Bob Affonso (1999) it was reported that “55 million children used a computer at school, and school was the most common place for children to access the Internet” (1). According to Bob Affonso (1999), “a recent study conducted by Carnegie Mellon University concludes that Internet use leads to small but statistically significant increases in misery and loneliness and a decline in overall psychological well-being” (1). In addition, Maressa Hecht Orzack, the director of computer addiction services claims that children use the computer as a tool to procrastinate and escape from the everyday world (Affonso, 1999, 2). This can be harmful to the child’s psyche as well as their social well-being. Finally, Rajani and Chandio (2004) state that there is another trend that may be harmful to a child by using the Internet. This trend “found in children is that they are more prone to learn abusive language by having online friends” (159). Yet, this could be the case anywhere and we cannot assume that it is just through online interaction.

There are many advantages of children using the Internet to socialize and learn as well, however.  A national survey was conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center in Washington and it found that there were benefits for children who used the Internet. “They cited as benefits the ability to discover useful things and the advantages in helping with schoolwork” (Affonso, 1999, 1). Children are able to use the internet for purposeful things. According to Affonso (1999), there are positive and productive ways in which children are able to use the Internet. Affonso (1999) states that “on-line magazines are virtual forums in which youth can write and communicate their ideas” (3). Tom R. Tyler (2002), agrees that there are positive aspects of the Internet for children in reference to communication. Tyler (2002) states:

Other forms of social equalization focus more directly on the equalization of access to resources and information via the Internet. For example, the Internet potentially gives people in remote areas access to otherwise unobtainable resources and to easier communicate with others in their community, thus reducing inequalities (201)

Tyler (2002) assumes the position that children are more socialized due to the Internet; however, they are more socialized in positive ways. According to Tyler (2002), “rather than technology’s changing people’s social and psychological reality, in other words, people change their use of technology to facilitate their creation of a desired social and psychological reality” (198). It is important to note that communicating in a social setting that is not face-to-face does not necessarily mean it is a bad thing. Tyler (2002) explains the results of the McKenna et al. study. Their “research suggests that socially anxious people use the Internet as a way to make initial contact with others. However, they then convert that contact into more traditional face-to-face relationships” (198). Tyler (2002) explains:

The Internet seems to have value as a tool used by people to overcome particular problems, like social anxiety, but overall patterns of Internet impact emphasize how little long-term Internet use, per se, has upon the person, his or her relationships, or psychological well-being (197).

In other words, these individuals use the Internet in order to make up for their shy demeanors and/or anxious personalities. According to Tyler (2002), “the conditions of electronic communication may in fact enhance the influence of group norms on individuals’ behavior” (197). McKenna et al found in their study that relationships that begin online tend to still be meaningful, close, and long lasting (Tyler, 2002, 197). This suggests “that many concerns expressed about the quality and meaningfulness of Internet interactions are unfounded” (Tyler, 2002, 197). This brings us to the most important aspect of this paper after all. Children are more socialized due to the Internet. However, “people bring relationships formed on the Internet into the real world by meeting, talking with, and otherwise connecting with others in other ways and show how the self-concept and social identity play a crucial role in this process” (Tyler, 2002, 197).

Codebook

The following codebook defines the variables that are to be used throughout the study. Table 1 provides each variable that is used on the survey as well as the data types and the expected data responses for each question. This codebook allows the reader to understand the questions that are being asked, how they are categorized and how they relate to the survey that is listed above.

Conclusion

After looking at all of the research by others, it is safe to assume that the alternate hypothesis is correct. The process for this research was to identify whether children are more socialized due to the Internet. It was important that the researcher work very hard on defining a hypothesis that could be conducted by research and shown through previous research the true aspects of child socialization through the Internet. Many believe that the Internet is a great tool for children to socialize, learn, grow, and expand their horizons as they become more in tune with who they are as people. The research finds that children are more socialized due to the Internet, but that this type of socialization is good for them and that they are able to build sound, respectful, life-long relationships by using the Internet as their home base.

References

Affonso, B. (1999, December 01). Is the internet affecting the social skills of our children? Retrieved from http://sierrasource.com/cep612/

Lee, C. K. C., & Conroy, D. M. (2003). The internet: A consumer socialization agent for teenagers. Unpublished manuscript, Thames Business School, University of Auckland, Thames.

Rajani, M. K., & Chandio, M. S. (2004). Use of internet and its effects on our society. Unpublished raw data, Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan.

Tyler, T. R. (2002). Is the internet changing social life? It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. Journal of Social Issues, 58(1), 195-205.