As Internet and cellphone use continues to spread — in the workplace, classroom and at home — the trend has sparked a debate about whether technology has made us more removed from our social settings.

Jonelle Martens wrote in the WSJ: “Are heavy Internet users living in an isolated virtual bubble, devoid of face-to-face human interaction? Or has the Web made us more connected to people?”

A recent study by Pew makes a case for the latter, finding that while the average size of our social networks has decreased by a third since 1985, heavy Internet and cellphone users have larger and more diverse social circles and are still involved in their local communities.

It also confirmed that in-person contact remains the dominant means of communication with the core members of our social groups.

Read the full study.