Internet Addiction Effects Blog

EFFECTS OF INTERNET ADDICTION.

“92% of teens report going online daily — including 24% who say they go online “almost constantly” (Lenhart). Nowadays, with the widespread availability of smartphones and the easy and quick access to the Internet they provide, people, and especially teenagers, are more addicted to Internet and electronic devices usage than ever. Internet addiction affects them psychologically, and affects their social relationships, as well as certain faculties including concentration and the ability to cooperate.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Many of the people who spend too much time on digital platforms neglect responsibilities such as household chores, study, and job duties. Therefore, they have a poor school performance or can’t keep a job. (Mazzola). Some even forget to take care of their own children! Furthermore, technology gives people the opportunity to have and be everything they can’t have or be in their real life. Some games, for instance, create a virtual second life in which people can even spend money. So people become addicted, lose money, and do not only live an unreal life, but also ruin their own real ones. (Young).

SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS EFFECTS

Internet addiction also affects a person’s social life and relationships. Having face-to-face conversations and learning to be empathetic is being made difficult by the constant attention to devices. As a result, children are less sociable and find it harder to interrelate with other people. (Joyce). Family relationships are also being influenced: in many cases, family time is invaded by digital devices that impede communication and interaction, so the term “family time” loses most of its meaning. Some teens also neglect the “duties” a friendship or sentimental relationship requires, which end up falling apart. Internet addiction has even affected marriages, which have been torn apart because of addiction to internet gambling or online pornography. (Young).

LOSS OF KEY SKILLS

New studies have also found that important human competences such as the ability to cooperate in a group or to concentrate and focus on a task. This second effect is because the use of smartphones has lead to multitasking our brain can’t deal with. This could affect the quality of the work that is being done while using your cell phone, or could have safety concerns (texting while driving). (Joyce). The first one is because children that spend too much time in front of a computer screen become isolated and socially awkward.

These are only some of the effects that Internet addiction has on people. Other consequences have a direct impact on their health, sleeping time, and professional life. Technology was invented to aid us in our everyday life to make things easier. But we abuse its usage, and this damages us. Technology is a gift, and we should learn to use it responsibly and conscientiously.

Works Cited

Joyce, Amy. “Teens Say They're Addicted to Technology”. The Washington Post. WP Company.  03 May. 2016. Web. 02 Mar. 2018.

Lenhart, Amanda. “Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015”. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 06 Mar. 2018.

Mazzola, Jessica; NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. “Nighttime Texting Linked to Bad Grades, N.J. Study Finds”. NJ.com. 08 Oct. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2018.

Young, Kimberly. “What You Need to Know About Internet Addiction” Ted. com. YouTube. 05. Jan. 2015. Web. 10 Mar. 2018.