Kid's Caught in the "Net"

Is our generation addicted to the internet? I find myself on the internet for at least 4 hours a day. Whether I am surfing the web, chatting with friends, or sometimes even doing school work, my face is buried in my computer for close to 20% of the day. In most cases, the internet is convenient, helpful and entertaining but what happens when it becomes harmful? With cyberbullies and predators on the loose, is the internet really a place where kids should be spending their time? The answer might be yes but we must be sure to take precaution. 

Our generation has become dependent on the world wide web. When the internet connection is down, the world might as well stop. Can you imagine a world without email, instant messaging, and facebook? I sometimes wonder what past generations have done without it. These features are now available to us at our fingertips. However, we all know how entertaining and time- consuming the web is but have we become addicted? With iPhones and blackberries making the internet so readily available to us, the world has essentially become reliant on technology and the internet to run our lives. No matter where we are, we are constantly able to be in touch with not only our friends but also, essentially the entire world. In essence kids (and adults too) live their lives online, hidden from anyone and everyone. 

The age of the internet is revolutionary. While the internet has so many amazing and beneficial features, which facilitate our lives to a great extent, we must also be cautious of who get their hands on it. Smart boards, google and wikipedia are all helpful resources in the class room and in school, however socializing via the internet has a big impact on social skills and socializing. Because it is so accessible, and anyone could be a part of this world ( not necessarily with their real identification) we must be extremely careful of kids, and teenagers on the web. In addition, more kids are relying on the internet to communicating with friends, as opposed to connected with friends in person. The internet is a liaison, where people can hide behind false identities, it can also serve as a security blanket where people can create a new identity for themselves. Kids are also able to express themselves online, to strangers, sometimes who have common interests, when they are scared to express themselves in person. Lacking communication with those around you is dangerous, and was made more achievable by the internet. This is where the harmful aspect of the internet could come into affect. Because most parents do not know what goes on behind their children's closed doors, they have no way of knowing when a child is in need of help. As a teenager, we think we are invincible, which is why we do not think to let our parents in. So many problems arise from the private lives of kids, which can be opened, used and then locked away by a password only obtainable by the child, or user, themselves. 

While there are many threats of predators and stalkers, studies found that this threat has been exaggerated, however these popular hazards are not the only ones present on the internet. Cyberbullying, child pornography (sometimes posted by teenagers themselves) and websites/ blogs entertaining common problems, such as anorexia are in fact more harmful than predators. Related to the issue of the oblivious parent, children have went to extreme measures because of cyberbullying. While bullying used to begin and end in school, where there is supervision present, cyberbullying is unique because there is no regulation on the internet. This can and has caused depression, lowering of self esteem and in some cases even suicide. Another issue is sites which entertain eating disorders. This can only be harmful to a child, even though they might think the contrary. In terms of sites which discuss and promote anorexia, children are encouraged to live an unhealthy lifestyle. These are places where kids can find their personal niche, which can sometimes be beneficial. Kids find these places where they can be themselves, with no limitations and no holding back. These are places where people can relate to them when other cannot. Is their any way to limit this problem? Yes. Parents should talk to their children and monitor their children's activity both online and off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmzUjK_79qE

The internet is a scary place. We all ask ourselves, is it harmful or helpful? In my opinion the scale is pretty even. Everything in life has its advantages and disadvantages. This is an issue we must take with deep consideration. Until the internet is regulated there is no real way to prevent all of these problems, however we can make an effort to curb them. 

Is the internet harmful or helpful?