New Media and Social Capital

The rapid increase in the adoption and use of information and communication technologies among the population of developed and less-developed countries has prompted researchers to investigate the social impact of these technologies on patterns of interpersonal communication; access to educational, housing, and job opportunities; and the attainment of social status. In the study of the social impact of information and communication technologies, the theory of social capital has served as an organizing framework. The purpose of this article is to expose the reader to the essential concepts and empirical findings that have guided this research. The focus of this article is on studies that have used social capital or some of its dimensions as the dependent variable of the study.