CCA #4

Effects of Interpersonal Communication and the Internet

Internet has taken away from hardcopy newspapers and magazines and paying for movies and music, but has it taken away from our many different relationships? Relationships have been affected by internet and internet communication, and it seems the more you use it, the higher the risk of being affected. This analysis will explore the negative effects that computer communication has on relationships and on people in general.
Relationships have clearly been affected in many different ways by the internet, some positive and some negative. “In one survey, approximately 25 percent of the respondents who used the internet regularly reported spending less time talking in person and on the phone with friends and family members;” (Sevigny, et al, 209)proving to be a negative effect of online communication. People do spend less time communicating in these ways since the internet is quick and easy. For example, I have some friends who never use the phone now because they can talk to me and ten other people at the same time on MSN. In talking to ten people at the same time the level of understanding and intimacy in each conversation goes down. Another negative about online chatting would be that people tend to feel safer saying whatever comes to mind while chatting online as opposed to face-to-face. It’s almost like there’s some kind of rule that tells people that they can be meaner, bolder or even completely different than they normally are; internet gives a false sense of security. Internet, in many ways, is a very positive advancement, but with these issues it takes away from the amount and quality of non-electronic communication.
People themselves have benefit in many ways from the internet, people learn more from the internet because of the easily accessible learning materials, as well, work can be completed at a faster pace with the internet. But, in some ways, internet has proven to have negative effects on some individuals. In a recent survey “[people who use internet regularly] tended to feel more lonely and depressed as their online communication increased;” (Sevigny, et al, 209) showing that maybe everything being within fingertips reach takes away important, necessary day-to-day interactions. It has been proven that leisure time and time spent with friends and family have decreased with regular internet users (Sevigny, et al, 209). For example, I have some friends who’d much rather play around on the computer than go out like they used to, in this way, internet is a shame. Internet has many benefits and the downfalls are usually overlooked, one of those downfalls, unfortunately being the unhappiness of some individuals.
Internet has many benefits that can be seen clearly at almost any time you like, but the negative aspects are usually overlooked, like a persons’ diminishing relationships and happiness. These, I believe can be avoided in how one chooses to use the internet and how big of a priority it is in their life. Internet affects, for the most part, each and every one of us daily, what is it doing to you?