Internet users are more likely to be active in voluntary groups or organisations than non-users, according to a new US survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.
The study titled "The Social Side of the Internet" found that nearly 80% of Internet users participate in groups, compared with 56% of non-internet users.
Those who use social networking sites are even more likely to be active. About 82% of social network users and 85% users of microblogging site Twitter are group participants, the study said.
People get more purposeful after they become active with such groups, said Pew Internet research director and project co-author Kristen Purcell.
"Most have felt proud of a group they belong to in the past year and just under half say they accomplished something they couldn’t have accomplished on their own," Purcell added.
This report is based on the findings of a survey conducted among a sample of 2,303 adults aged 18 and above between 23 November and 21 December in 2010.
