Study: Internet users more active in groups

A Pew study finds that Internet users are more active in social organizations than non-users

Some ten years ago, the heavy Internet user was popularly typified as some reclusive, non-responsive, socially dead drone who had no interpersonal skills to speak of and used the Web as a repository for his creepy pent-up rage toward his mother.  In fact, a couple years ago, Brad Paisley released a song called “Online” that mocked the stereotypical gamer/sci-fi geek/asthmatic/hard-core chatroom addict.  The song came out in 2007 but was already dated when it was released since it assumed that chatrooms are still cool among computer geeks.  Wrong!  LOL. (Inhaler puff.)

Findings from a study released Tuesday by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project reveals that 80% of Internet users are active in some kind of voluntary group or organization, compared with 56% of non-users.  Among those Internet users, social media users are even more likely to be involved in some kind of group: 82% of social media users in general are active in a group and 85% of Twitter users specifically are active.

It seems obvious—when you become active online, especially on Facebook or Twitter, you suddenly find a whole array of online groups to join, but surprisingly, most of the Internet users polled in the survey said they didn’t find their groups online—75%, to be exact.  Only 24% of those polled said that they found their groups while browsing the Web.

Even more interesting: Internet users are more active in their groups than non-users—and not just in an online fashion.  For example, a full 69% of Internet users have attended meetings or events for the groups that they are active in, compared to 56% of non-Internet users.  In addition, 64% of Internet users said they have volunteered their time for a group that they were active in, compared to 47% of non-Internet users; 60% of Internet users said they have contributed money to a group that they are active in, compared to 50% of non-Internet users; and 34% of Internet users said that they have taken a leadership role in their groups, compared to just 19% of non-users.

Likely as a result of their higher levels of activity, 62% of Internet users reported feelings of pride in a group that they are active in because of something that it accomplished, compared to 47% of non-Internet users.  Furthermore, 48% of Internet users are said that they have accomplished something as part of a group that they would not have been able to accomplish on their own, compared to 35% of non-Internet users.

Other interesting details included in the 40-page report include the fact that the average adult is active in 3.51 groups and spends 6.54 hours participating in those groups.  Some 14% of adults are involved in no less than eight groups.  So what groups are people joining?  The most common are religious groups and church organizations: 40% of respondents said they participate in church-related organizations.  Another 24% said they are involved in sports and recreation groups, and 24% said that they are active in consumer groups like AAA or coupon sharing groups. 

The researchers determined that individuals with stronger feelings of personal efficacy (the belief that they have an impact on larger social issues) and more trusting feelings towards others were more likely to be active in groups than others.  Those with stronger feelings of efficacy and trust were more likely to be active in groups, connected to multiple groups, spend more time in volunteer and group activities, and report positive outcomes from those groups.  And particularly noteworthy, Internet users are more trusting and confident in their personal efficacy than non-Internet users: 49% of Web users said they are likely to trust others, compared to 27% of non-Internet users, and 33% of Internet users said that they felt they could have a big impact on their communities, compared to just 21% of non-users. 

So looks like it’s time to throw out the old caricature of the asthmatic, obese, middle-aged computer geek who lives in his mom’s basement.  These days that guy is probably more likely to appear on The Biggest Loser.

Image source: graphicshunt.com