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Social Science Computer Review
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Online Interactions and Social Capital

Distinguishing Between New and Existing Ties

Samuel J. Best

University of Connecticut

Brian S. Krueger

University of Rhode Island

Some of the earliest and best-known theoretical work on the social implications of the Internet focus on interpersonal interactions with other users met online. However, in part because of the difficulty of measuring the level of interactions with others met online, generalizable empirical research on this topic remains limited. In this study, the authors develop a new approach to measuring the degree of online interactions with those not known offline. Next, they test the relationship between these online social interactions and social capital using a probability sample survey of U.S. residents. Contrary to previous empirical investigations, they find that the level of online interaction with people met on the Internet positively relates to common indicators of social capital, such as generalized trust. Finally, they discuss the implications of these results.

Key Words: chat rooms • electronic mail • generalized trust • Internet • social capital • strong ties • weak ties

Social Science Computer Review, Vol. 24, No. 4, 395-410 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0894439306286855
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[Abstract] [PDF]