Relationship between demographics, internet experience, leisure-time internet usage, and social capital

The Internet is quickly becoming a very important and unique source for leisure that is different from other traditional leisure activities. This investigation utilized a Web survey of 610 college students to explore the relationship between demographics, Internet experience, leisure-time Internet behaviors and attitudes, and social capital. Chi-square, somers’d, and canonical correlation analyses revealed an association between online leisure activities and social capital. Young adults who were experienced Internet users considered social interactions to be an important function of Internet leisure activities. Individuals who felt socially disconnected, had low social assurance, and depend more upon others, used online leisure activities to build their social networks and generate social capital. This research suggests that leisure-time Internet activities affect individuals’ social relationships and result in the development of online social capital