The introduction of the Internet represented a wave of global change in society. It has changed many aspects; socially, economically and culturally. It has caused society to change the way they carry out daily tasks and the way they communicate. Many academics suggest that the world has essentially become a much smaller place as forms of global communication have evolved and is now faster and easier than ever. The Internet "has the unique ability to transmit information and build relationships between large groups of physically disconnected individuals." (Pasek: 2009:6) The birth of the Internet occurred in the 1980s, but it wasn't until a global user boom erupted when it became more affordable in the 1990s. Since then, a broader-minded generation has been born. Today, more and more families have access to the Internet. (60% of American households have access to the Internet) (Quan-Haase: 2002: 1). Many people say that “access is an everyday activity… [and influences] how people live, work and play in the developed world.” (Quan-Haase: 2002: 1) Millions of people have access to the Internet on their smartphones, which means that access to the Internet can be done anytime, anywhere. Research shows that the majority of younger generations are online, “88% in 2006.” (Pasek: 2009: 4)This wave of change has led academics to examine how society is affected in terms of communication. The benefits seem endless, people can video chat face to face with each other regardless of their geographic location. However, using the Internet has its disadvantages. Does the Internet make society less sociable and therefore lose resources to obtain social capital? There is a wide range of defi...... middle of paper ......available at: http://links.jstor .org/sici?sici=0360-0572%281998%2924%3C1% 3ASCIOAA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-D (accessed: 01/12/2013).* Putnam, R., D., (2007) “E Pluribus Unum: Diversity and community in the twenty-first century The Johan Skytte Prize Lecture 2006." Scandinavian Political Studies 30, no. 2 pp. 137-174.* Putnam, R (2001) 'Social Capital: Measurement & Consequences', Canadian Journal of Policy Research, (), pp.1-3 Available at: http://www.visionaryvalues.com/ wiki/images /Putnam_SocialCapital.pdf (Accessed: 01/12/2013).* Quan-Haase, A. & Wellman, B. (2002) 'How do the Internet Infect Social Capital' in M. Huysman & Wulf, V. (eds. ) IT and social capital. Available at http://homes.chass.utoronto.ca/~wellman/publications/internetsocialcapital/Net_SC-09.PDF* Siisiainen, M (2000) Two Concepts of Social Capital: Bourdieu vs. Putnam, Dublin: University of Jyvaskyla.