---
title: "Staying Connected"
description: "Internet users are 55% more likely to have a non-family member with whom they can discuss important matters."
date: "2009-11-18"
authors:
  - name: "Russell Heimlich"
    job_title: "Former web developer"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/russell-heimlich/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2009/11/18/staying-connected/"
---

# Staying Connected

While the average size and diversity of core discussion networks — the circle of friends and relatives with whom people typically discuss important matters — have declined for Americans since 1985, a survey finds that participation in internet activities is associated with larger and more diverse social groups. Fewer than half of Americans (45%) discuss important matters with someone who is not a family member, but internet users are 55% more likely to have a non-family social contact and 38% less likely to rely exclusively on their spouse/partner as discussion confidants. On average, the size of core discussion networks is 9% larger for those who share photos online and 9% bigger for those who use instant messaging. [Read More](https://www.pewresearch.org/pubs/1398/internet-mobile-phones-impact-american-social-networks)