Is the Ιnternet ultimately beneficial?

By Evi Chrysoheri,

It is a fact that, in today’s society, the explosion of technology has affected every aspect of people’s lives. From ways of communication to washing machines which save time and effort, everything seems to have become automatic and easier. A great technological invention is the internet, which has broken down temporal and geographical boundaries, uniting people all over the world.

In this way, anyone can be informed about what is happening in the world at any time, entertain themselves by playing a video game, or even shop whatever they want without needing to be physically present in the store. Moreover, with the rise of the internet, new job positions emerged and there is also the option for remote work, which proved to be very beneficial, especially during the years of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, along with the internet came social media, which I would personally characterize as the gossip block. Subsequently, social media platforms, some of the most famous being Facebook, Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter and many others, allow their users to inform their followers (who are usually the broader social circle of the individual) about personal details such as their age, what they are studying or if they are working, their gender orientation and even their relationship status. Thus, the majority of the population has created an online profile in which they showcase the best version of themselves. Of course, social media has also become a means of promoting merchandise, resulting in companies getting wealthier, which is not necessarily a negative thing since it helps the economy.

But with every advantage that the internet has to offer, there is also its disadvantageous side. Specifically, there is a noticeable increase in the time young people spend on the internet, to the point where it affects other areas of their lives. In more detail, I believe there is a preference among young people for engaging with the internet, whether it be social media or online games, as they are easily accessible, and individuals can interact while simultaneously having fun. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that unconsciously the time they dedicate to the screen increases, thus affecting their performance at school or work, as well as their interpersonal relationships. Now, this may sound contradictory, as social media, as mentioned earlier, contribute to the direct communication among members of the online community, and to some extend it does achieve that. However, when face-to-face communication is replaced by online interaction, people’s bonds can deteriorate.

In a study of individuals aged 13 to 17 living in Athens and Patra, with 100 teenage participants, the relationship of adolescents with the internet was thoroughly examined. It is interesting to note that 98% have daily access to the internet, 48% spend more than 3 hours online, 70% of teens doesn’t show signs of addiction, 60% thinks that addiction relates to school performance, 40% has good academic performance and 41% believe that the internet creates antisocial behaviour.

Another significant factor to consider is the Coronavirus pandemic, which led to quarantine, resulting in isolation. This circumstance prevented people from engaging in outdoors activities, leading to them spending more time online. Thus, physical exercise is reduced which is bad for one’s health since it can cause obesity. As there are chances of missing on other opportunities for participation in group activities, which are always a good environment for a person to unwind and simultaneously expand their social circle or even discover new things about themselves.

It is common knowledge that violent video games cause nervousness, especially in children, and they seem to create tendencies for violent behaviour. It has been proven that electronic games can lead users to addiction, resulting in neglect of oneself. Paradoxically, it has not been established whether social media can lead to addiction. Conclusively, everyone can understand that excessive engagement with the internet is neither beneficial nor truly relaxing for the individual.

Ultimately, the goal is not to discourage readers from using the fruits technology has to offer, but rather to emphasize the wise use of them, as they are not always the best choice to dedicate one’s precious free time to.

Reference

• Βουτυράκη Κωνσταντίνα, Μίχαλου Πολύτιμη. “Έφηβοι και διαδίκτυο”. Ιδρυματικό Καταθετήριο Τ.Ε.Ι. Δυτικής Ελλάδας.