The average Internet user in the United States spends 3 hours a day online, with much of that time devoted to work and more than half of it to communications.

Researchers report that the Internet has displaced television watching and a range of other activities. Internet users watch television for 1 hour and 42 minutes a day, compared with the national average of 2 hours. One study reported increasing physical isolation among Internet users; it created a controversy and drew angry complaints from some users who insisted that time they spent online did not detract from their social relationships. However, the researchers said they had now gathered further evidence showing that Internet use has lowered the amount of time people spend socializing with friends and even sleeping. According to the study, an hour of time spent using the Internet reduces face-to-face contact with friends, coworkers, and family by 23.5 minutes; lowers the amount of time spent watching television by 10 minutes; and reduces sleep time by 8.5 minutes.131 What s your perspective on this issue does increasing use of the Internet have positive or negative implications for interpersonal relationships in our society? L01