The Bridging and Bonding Role of Online Communities

"The Bridging and Bonding Role of Online Communities"
Pippa Norris, Press/Politics 7(3) Summer 2002

Summary of article:

"Many believe that any erosion in the traditional face-to-face sociability and personal communications or Gemeinschaft in modern societies represents a threat to the quality of civic life, collaborative social exchanges, and the community spirit. Whether the Internet has the capacity to supplement, restore,or even replace these social contacts remains to be seen. As an evolving medium that is still diffusing through the population, it remains too early to predict the full consequences of this technology. Nevertheless, the Pew survey evidence among existing users allows us to explore whether those Americans who are most active in online groups feel that it widens their experience of community (by helping them to connect to others with different beliefs or backgrounds) or whether it deepens their experience (by reinforcing and strengthening existing social networks). The analysis suggests that in general, the Internet serves both functions, although the strength of this effect varies in important ways by the type of online group in America.

Online participation has the capacity to deepen linkages among those sharing similar beliefs as well as serving as a virtual community that cuts across at least some traditional social divisions."