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It cannot be denied that the existence of the World Wide Web today has saved us from plenty of inconveniences and stresses. We can probably name a handful of advantages Internet access has allowed us to enjoy. However, with all this good comes some bad, as well.
What are the negative effects of the Internet? In what ways has it caused some concerning damage to our overall well-being and in today’s society? These are some of the questions the author of this sample essay aims to address.
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Negative Effect of the Internet
Most of us will sing praises about the Internet and the countless ways it has aided our day-to-day lives. From the easy convenience of doing financial and retail transactions online to the opportunity to connect with people from all over the world in real-time, Internet technology has really elevated our lifestyles.
However, not everything about the World Wide Web is healthy and helpful. It has negative effects that have some severe ramifications for Internet users, particularly young people. In this essay, I would like to share a few of the downsides of Internet usage and what we can do about it.
Excessive Internet use leads to Internet addiction
We know that too much of something is harmful, and this also applies to the online world. There is a danger that many of the younger generations can turn into Internet addicts if their online hours are not carefully regulated or monitored by their parents. From mindlessly browsing social networking sites to staying too long on chat rooms and online gaming, the excessive use of Wi-Fi can impact both physical and mental health.
Teenagers who spend a long period of time in front of the computer can experience severe eye strain, while those who take social media far too seriously and can’t get off it can develop some sort of depression and anxiety due to the comparison trap. Playing games can also be very addictive as it is an immersive experience that makes the user feel like he’s part of the story.
The reality of online predators and cyber-bullying on social networking sites
One of the many disadvantages of being on a social network is the high risk of being targeted by an online predator, such as pedophiles and sociopaths. Many of them lure innocent young people under a fake identity and make them believe that they are the same age. They will then find a way to establish a connection and make these youngsters feel safe, to the point that they will arrange to meet. There is no telling what can happen when it reaches this stage. Social interaction can be good, but it can turn dangerous when teenagers aren’t promptly monitored.
Of course, there is also the issue of cyber-bullying. While we want to avoid this situation as much as possible, almost anyone and everyone can be bullied online. All it takes is a certain picture, comment, video, or post, and you will most likely find yourself prey to vicious comments and hate speech from people you don’t even know.
While it is easy to just advise a young person to ignore it since they don’t know these people in real life, it is a lot easier said than done. In fact, many teens fall into depression or other psychological disorders, or even commit suicide as a result of being needlessly and mercilessly bullied. Parents are also helpless as they are usually not aware of the situation or have no idea how to report it.
The easy accessibility of pornography and other dangerous videos to Internet users
A family with kids would really need to apply safety features on their family Wi-Fi, as the influx of data on the Internet just by typing the right words on search engines can lead to trouble. Whether accessing it through a laptop or cell phone, pornography has a negative impact on the developing mind of an adolescent. Not only that, today’s youth are exposed to a lot of dangerous videos online.
For example, did you know that there are relatively harmless cartoons and kids’ videos uploaded on some video streaming websites that contain shocking tutorials on how to commit suicide in the middle of the video? This means that if parents don’t check the full thirty minutes of the video before hastily showing it to their kids as a way to get some free time, they may unknowingly expose their children to videos like this. Society today is host to dangerous criminals who want to lure children and teenagers into vicious traps like this strategically and creatively.
Students who are addicted to their computers forget that they have a life outside the Internet
Perhaps one of the most tragic negative impacts of Wi-Fi technology on a person is that it actually steals life from him or her. It is good to maximize the functional uses of the Internet, such as communication and research, but long hours in front of the screen can keep students indoors for hours, never leaving their rooms to interact with family or friends.
They forget that they are human beings with real-life relationships that need tending to and that face-to-face communication is still the best way to engage. Not only can this lead to several illnesses that can crop up due to physical lethargy and the psychosomatic effects of mental stress of addiction, but it can also be incredibly difficult to unlearn. This is one of many negative effects of the Internet.
Unrestricted access to the Internet nowadays can affect academic performance
While you can’t study without using Wi-Fi anymore these days, students are some of the most affected people when it comes to the mental health repercussions of Internet addiction. It usually starts off innocently, with kids using Wi-Fi to do some research for a school paper or to communicate with a fellow student for a group project. But when the young person extends the time to do some online gaming or browse social media, then they become prey to many Internet negative effects.
At the end of the day, when it comes to the younger generations, a major chunk of the responsibility falls on the parents. They must enforce discipline and regulation with Internet usage to ensure that their children only use it to get what they need. Wi-Fi privileges should only be given on weekends, or during a certain hour or period of the weekday.
Conclusion
Without a doubt, today’s society is the generation that struggles the most with the unencumbered use of the World Wide Web. While it has both positive and negative effects on users, we must take the negative ones more seriously as the consequences are far-reaching and damaging.
As most people don’t really think much about the negative impact of using the Internet for prolonged periods of time, I think that we must consider launching awareness campaigns on elementary and high school campuses, encouraging teachers, administrations, and students to think of action points on how they can assess their Internet usage. It would be good to highlight the positive effects, then launch into the other side of the coin to balance it out.
In summary, I continue to be grateful that we live in a day and age where efficient and convenient communication and transactions can be done online. But I continue to stay concerned about the darker side of the Internet, one that heavily preys on children and the youth. I call on parents and concerned adults and caretakers to take stock of their young ones’ Internet behavior and intervene when they see lives being upended negatively as a result of addiction.
I am confident that we can eradicate these negative effects if all of us are aware of them and take ownership of our contributions. I believe that the behavioral change should start with the adults so that children can see it being demonstrated and modeled. Let us all be that person who is passionate about protecting the well-being of young minds.