Computer Captives
In the passage “Isolated by the Internet”, author Clifford Stoll tells of the studies he has followed regarding internet usage and its effects on society. He discusses the many social and emotional imbalances that may be brought upon one’s self by using the internet and computer too often. Although most people do balance their time between using the World Wide Web and communicating face –to –face, there are still many challenges and disagreements when it comes to using the computer to socialize.
The first concern pointed out by Stoll, is the effect the internet had on its users emotionally. In a study by Robert Kraut and Vicki Lundmark, they were able to show the significant augment in depression and loneliness within each participant using a computer. Increasing such negative emotions and feelings can result in undesirable occurrences such as suicide, murder, or even any kind of self inflicted pain and suffering. Surprisingly this can be caused even by a simple exchange of words online or through specific social networking sites.
Second on Stoll’s list of concerns, is how internet usage affects one’s social skills and real world interactions. To put into perspective these challenges, one computer programmer confessed “…Although she is shy in person, in her electronic chat room she becomes a feisty enchanting contessa.” While this may not seem a quandary to some, it indeed is a problem that needs fixing. For the internet poses a great threat to one’s psychological well being and makes it harder to have a contented feeling while communicating without a safety shield also known as the monitor to your pc.
As a high school student, the internet is a great way to reach out and connect with the public. For