According to a recent American study, the idea of Internet users as loners with no social contact is a myth.
Americans are not as isolated as has been previously reported. We find that the extent of social isolation has hardly changed since 1985, contrary to concerns that the prevalence of severe isolation has tripled since then. Only 6% of the adult population has no one with whom they can discuss important matters or who they consider to be “especially significant” in their life.
and rather than detract from community involvement, those involved in internet activities are more likely to be involved in community organizations.
Some have worried that internet use limits people’s participation in their local communities, but we find that most internet activities have little or a positive relationship to local activity. For instance, internet users are as likely as anyone else to visit with their neighbors in person. Cell phone users, those who use the internet frequently at work, and bloggers are more likely to belong to a local voluntary association, such as a youth group or a charitable organization. However, we find some evidence that use of social networking services (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn) substitutes for some neighborhood involvement.
Overall Internet activity not only does not cause isolation it may also promote community involvement, cooperation, and social interaction.
I have always suspected this, and now have a study to back-up my assertions, hooray! Nothing worse than the internet straw-man.