1. Information and Communications Technology and Social Networking: Connected or ‘Cocooned’? What is the impact of the Internet and computer use on community and family life? The size and composition of people’s social networkssocial networks How do networks influence behavior, how does behavior influence networks? E.g., ‘buddy-tracking’ via cell phone (using GPS) The potential for new technologies to expand social networks and community involvement Or, in the alternative, a decline in civic engagement Virtual communities

2. “The Overconnecteds” For ‘Generation M’ (born 1980-2000), seemingly obsessive need to connect has inspired concern and debate What are the psychological implications of simultaneously talking to 50 of one’s forever best friends, who are not actually present? 66% of those 13-21 now prefer IM to e-mail 17-yr-old from NYC: “Online engagement is not a viable substitute for a functional in-person social life … IM provides precisely what it is that teens need most: constant affirmation, lots of attention and the desire to distinguish themselves” Parental issue w/ ‘rabid multitasking’ Does Gen M sleep less? Does IM culture erode clique lines or reinforce them (posting of cruel comments)? Most intense committed users in online universe are girls 15-17 (intensity diminishes after age 18) Source: New York Times, 11/5/06

3. “In Teens’ Web World, MySpace Is So Last Year” MySpace has amassed 124 million profiles during 2.5 years of existence In October 2002, typical Xanga user spent average of 1 hr 39 minutes on site – declining to 11 minutes September 2006 In October 2003, typical Friendster user on site 1 hr 51 minutes – declining to 7 minutes September 2006 MySpace usage increased to 2 hrs 25 minutes October 2005 – now at ~ 2 hrs Facebook is still on gradual increase – 1 hr 9 minutes September 2006 Popular sites have relatively short life cycle Note that Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock Va. HS soph: “Over time, people are going to get sick of talking to people on the computer. I just think people will want to spend more time with each other – without the wall of technology” Source: Washington Post, 10/29/06