ERIC Number: EJ844153
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-2158
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Use of Online Social Support by Foster Families
Finn, Jerry; Kerman, Ben
Journal of Family Social Work, v8 n4 p67-85 2004
The extent to which foster families utilize social support on the Internet is examined in a sample of 34 foster families in a digital divide intervention program and a comparison sample of 30 foster families who were not part of the program. In spite of increased Internet access, the frequency of using online social support is low. A minority of parents and children increased their use of the Internet to give and receive help, communicate with other foster families and e-mail with their foster care worker. More than half of foster youth have used the Internet to stay in touch with friends and relatives and have "made a new friend" over the Internet. Implications for child welfare practice and for further research are discussed. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Intervention, Child Welfare, Internet, Foster Care, Social Support Groups, Computer Mediated Communication, Access to Computers, Comparative Analysis, Electronic Mail
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A