BLOG TASK #008 - THE INTERNET & SOCIAL MEDIA
- Nov 16, 2015
- 6 min read
BLOG TASK #008 - THE INTERNET & SOCIAL MEDIA
Each group is to produce an argumentative essay of not more than 1500 words based on one of the topics given below that is assigned according to your tutorial groups.
"Over reliance on Internet technology for communication has jeopardised interpersonal relationships, weakening rather than strengthening human relations. True or not?"
Tough question.. but here's our opinion,
In our eyes, the advancement of the Internet and all its glorious forms of technologies that have been manifested with it over the past years has definitely pushed the capabilities of us humans In terms of communication. Although this wide network platform has brought a great positive impact on society; there are still an incredible amount of concerns that this technology is slowly influencing and crippling the basics of humanity and what was once created to be a tool to help improve society; to ease the path of how we advance in the future, would eventually be the death of us.
One statement that was brought up was that the over reliance on the Internet and its technologies for communication has jeopardised interpersonal relationships, weakening rather than strengthening human relations. We believe that this statement is very true, and this is why.
The very tool that started off as a ‘convenience’ as to how we are able to connect and keep in touch with others has now evolved and become more of a necessity. What was once a time of being able to communicate with someone from abroad or on the other side of the Earth has now turned us to communicating with a friend who lives just a few blocks away because we are too ‘lazy’ or ‘tired’ to actually catch up and have a meal with them. This has caused many to spend less time interacting with others face to face; and by this we mean literal face to face conversations that do not involve a web-cam and a screen dividing two or more individuals. From the computers to the mobile devices, both modern day adults and children are getting to be overly dependent on innovation at a very disturbing rate. Cutting edge innovation is destructive in light of the fact that computers and mobile phones don't show social values nor permit family time. Individuals who invest a lot of time and energy into their devices have a tendency to invest much less time with family and companions, at gatherings, and in working out.
On another note, this over reliance can also lead to shaky relationships. In a relationship, both sides would want a truthful and loyal partner to commit and love them. Being over-engrossed on social networking can bring you closer to each other as you can talk and text each other 24 hours a day, especially in a long distance relationship. Even so, there are negative effects of social networking as it can harm relationships. As human beings, we get jealous and offended fairly easily when we see our loved ones being cared for or pestered by another person that is not us. This weakens a relationship as it places mistrust and a feeling of betrayal towards each other. We would feel betrayed when we find out that our loved one is flirting or sending sweet personal messages to another person, as we have a perception that they would only do that to us and only us. Besides that, there are people who send nudes or pornographic material to random people and when their partner finds out, they would feel disgusted and disappointed and can inflict a disastrous outcome upon the relationship and can also make them feel ashamed to have even been associated with that person they once loved.
Moving on, being over reliant on these advancements and technologies can and will also instill a fear of people within an individual. After using the Internet for a long period and being used to talking to people through the screen, people will fear more of meeting others. Sometimes after many years in life, one will realize they actually did not make any friends after all! Social anxiety is the cause of this ‘cancer’ and the Internet is the best catalyst of making it worse. When one overuses the Internet, the feeling that there is a safe barrier in front of them where they can say anything they want builds up. In that way they feel like they are talking to a ‘non-living thing’ when actually they are speaking to a real life being. The thing is that in this generation, the meaning of ‘socializing’ includes an online component.
Most people prefer to socialize online which also is the reason why most prefer to not go out to gatherings or reunions. They prefer to stay home or chill at a cafe with their gadgets. As humans, we crave the company of others but shun away by using the net as a means to hide ourselves from being found as unlikable or worse. The media allows us to communicate but in a controlled manner. People with social anxiety are more attracted to Internet use compared to those who do not have social anxiety. It is a phobia, and the net saves us from the risk of being embarrassed and from having panic attacks. This trend of excessive reliance on the Internet has gave way to an increase of shyness and phobias. When we come in contact with others we feel scared as there is too much of a sensory feeling in the environment we’re in. We start to wonder “Are we all too pampered with the internet that we have no need of human relations anymore?” The internet really has impaired our interaction abilities whether in a small or large group dynamic.
Moreover, these fears that have been instilled within society has even imparted some very negative trends to go along with it. One being the fear of being different from everyone else. This over reliance has caused people to have a misconception on how we are to live our lives through the sharing of lifestyles of others; and because our lives on social media and other forms of it are divided by a screen, people tend to hide many truths of themselves from the world and also to proceed to sugar-coat their lifestyles by creating a virtual façade, as it were, to imply to everyone that “My life is amazing and you guys should follow me.” This trend is also another example of a catalyst that can take social anxiety to a whole new level.
In accordance to that, being too over-reliant on the different devices and having a screen dividing you from everyone else has also lead to a second trend that has had a significant impact on the suicide rates over the past years. Because of this false ‘barrier’, many take the opportunity to state their own opinions far more easily without thinking twice of what they are about to say and this has evolved from people stating positive and respectable opinions to individuals who make up nasty remarks that are purely narcissistic or have sarcastic traits imbued into their comments. This can cause heated arguments or debates that can easily lead to what we now call cyber-bullying, and having a ‘safe’ barrier in front of them will not make it any better. Cyber-bullying is no laughing matter. Statistics have shown that 42% of teenagers with tech access report being cyberbullied in the past year and out of this 42%, 7 to 9% of the victims are more likely to consider suicide.
Lastly, being over reliant on all these gadgets has taken such a toll on the everyday relationships we have; so much so to the point that even when we are put in front of someone, we still do not find the need to conversate. Here is an example, back in the old days when it came the time to have a meal with your friends and family or even a gathering at home, laughter and cheerful conversations can be heard throughout the venue from table to table from having plans of going out somewhere later after the meal, or any other forms of conversation that are related to physical interaction. As years pass, technology and the Internet have greatly evolved into more high-end tech; all of these have slowly abolished our behaviours and etiquettes and we are not even noticing it at times. Where has all the laughter and the gossiping went? Even now, looking at a big family eating at a restaurant, not even a single word is uttered amongst them from the start till the end; father, mother, son, daughter and even the grandparents all have their own devices out with their eyes glued on to the screens.
These are some of the few reasons and facts on why we believe the statement; over reliance on Internet technology for communication has jeopardised interpersonal relationships, weakening rather than strengthening human relations is true. Though there are many positives and facts out there that are able to counter this statement; after taking a step back and looking at it as a whole, we as a young generation are seemingly stumbling and falling backwards more than we are moving forward to achieving a greater future, even with the truths and positives involved, and this is why we still stand by our belief.
THE END.
Writer:
Everyone.
Editor:
Matthias.
Researchers:
Everyone.
SOURCES:
LINKS
http://www.cyberbullyhotline.com/07-10-12-scourge.html http://nobullying.com/bullying-suicide-statistics/
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