Internet Negativity

Adolescents are becoming increasingly attached to technology. Relationships are being built online or through phones. Keyboards and keypads are becoming the keys to their hearts. Technology was designed in part to provide new ways to communicate, but it is becoming the only way to communicate with today’s youth. It has made one-on-one interaction less frequent and has had a negative effect on adolescents’ social abilities.

Technology is a great way to stay entertained, but it is disconnecting people. Today’s Internet users have many ways to be occupied online. They can communicate on websites like Facebook, watch TV shows and clips on YouTube, and play entertaining games on sites such as addictinggames.com. Non-internet users spend an average of 12.6 more minutes participating in social activities, such as parties, sporting events, and person-to-person conversations every day compared to Internet users. Internet users also spend 34.3 minutes less than non-internet users with family and friends. Those who don’t switch off the computer enough, switch off personal relationships with family and friends.

Cell phones create a distraction from real life experiences and, because of their ability to be taken everywhere, teens can text at any point throughout the day. Teens can text at the dinner table, in the car, whether driving or not, at the movies, and, worst of all, in church. This tiny piece of plastic is distracting teens from life around them.

However, technology can be very beneficial. It helps people stay in touch with friends and family that live far away. In my life, I will move on from all my high school friends, but I will still want to stay in touch with them all. Staying in touch can be done through sites such as Facebook, which make setting up reunions and catching up quickly easy.

Some people have trouble making new Friends.  The Internet provides such individuals with many ways to meet new people. However, not every chat room is safe. Online relationships with strangers can be dangerous, because you never know who is on the other side of the chat. Don’t be sucked into the Internet and leave others behind. Most importantly, don’t let keypads and keyboards be the key to your heart.