Does Internet use damage social capital?

It is often assumed that the intense use of the Internet makes people contact shy in the real world. However, contacts based on trust facilitate the exchange between individuals in many respects and have tangible economic consequences. A research project of the Ifo Institute has systematically examined the question of the extent to which the Internet influences individual contacts - social capital - and has concluded that the Internet connects people. The existence of a DSL connection in households has a positive effect on different variables that are of relevance for social capital such as the regularity of visits to theatres, exhibitions, cinemas, concerts, bars, restaurants and sporting events as well as the number of friends, voluntary activities and political involvement. The Internet has a positive effect on the social capital of people.