Internet Paradox Revisited

Abstract

Kraut et al. (1998) reported negative effects of using the Internet on social involvement and psychological well-being among new Internet users in 1995–96. We called the effects a “paradox” because participants used the Internet heavily for communication, which generally has positive effects. A 3-year follow-up of 208 of these respondents found that negative effects dissipated. We also report findings from a longitudinal survey in 1998–99 of 406 new computer and television purchasers. This sample generally experienced positive effects of using the Internet on communication, social involvement, and well-being. However, consistent with a “rich get richer” model, using the Internet predicted better outcomes for extraverts and those with more social support but worse outcomes for introverts and those with less support.

Footnotes

1. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Robert Kraut, Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 500 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 [e-mail: [e-mail]]. This research was funded by the National Science Foundation (Grants IRI-9408271 and 9900449). In addition, initial data collection was supported through grants from Apple Computer Inc., AT&T Research, Bell Atlantic, Bellcore, CNET, Intel Corporation, Interval Research Corporation, Hewlett Packard Corporation, Lotus Development Corporation, the Markle Foundation, the NPD Group, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Panasonic Technologies, the U.S. Postal Service, and US West Advanced Technologies. Tridas Mukhopadhyay and William Scherlis participated in designing and carrying out the original HomeNet studies.