Computer Mediated Communication: Social Support for Students with and Without Learning Disabilities (Report‪)‬

Introduction For the last decade, we have witnessed a substantial increase in both the use of Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) and in the growth of social and emotional support amongst users of the different interfaces. The internet and CMC interfaces represent new methods of personal communications. Unlike 'face-to-face' relationships, geographical location is insignificant in this medium. The level of intimacy is determined by the length of time spent in the same chat room, forum, mailing list or website (Daum, 2007). Many studies have investigated the influences of the internet on peoples' daily lives and on their social relationships (Cogat, Yamauchi, and Suman, 2002; Nie and Hillygus, 2002; Segerstad, 2002), but most of the studies referred to general use of the internet and not to the impact of the various interfaces in creating social and emotional relationships.