HABITS OF COMMUNICATION OF INTERNET USERS

Abstract

This report is about a small scale study where frequent Internet users´ habits of communication (in the use of the Internet and mobile phone systems) in Hungary were investigated with questionnaires that were made accessible via the Internet. The results show that among the frequent Internet users the `dependent´ and `alienated´ types of usage are not characteristic. The latter one can be markedly distinguished from other intense use of the net. Among the intense users of the Internet email has become the prevailing tool of communication compared to other means. The anxiety of people who thought the lack of authentication dangerous has not proved true: methods develop among the users to check the trustworthiness of the source. The employers´ concerns seem to be supported, however, to the effect that employees, when they have the opportunity, do gladly resort to forms of communication by which they can discretely tend to their private matters.