Motivational, affective and cognitive factors and Internet use: Explaining the digital divide and the Internet paradox

What causes people to use or not use the Internet? What effects does Internet use have on people? A model of Internet use is proposed that addresses these questions by considering motivational, affective, and cognitive factors as antecedents and consequences of Internet use. These factors help to explain the digital divide and suggest ways to reduce it. These factors also help to explain the Internet paradox, and suggest that personal characteristics and contextual factors moderate relationships between Internet use and personal and interpersonal outcomes. >

Uses and Gratifications: An answer to why we blog? by chung83

" This made me think of something Professor Strangelove said in class about simulation replacing the real. In relation the uses and gratifications theory, the media is replacing the real. We are using the media to fill our needs of human interaction, and instead of interacting with actual humans, we are turning to the media to replace that void. An example of this would be emotional release. Before we had new medium forms, like the internet, the easiest way to get emotional release would be to call a friend or talk face to face with someone to vent. Now, it is more common to turn to the internet and start blogging about your opinions or make a video and post it on Youtube." >