According to statistics, an estimated 3.5 billion uses the internet at 2016, meaning 45% of the global population use the internet. Which is not surprising because internet has been a great help for citizens ever since it was introduced. Long distance communication? Facebook. Need help for your homework? Google Books. Bored? Online gaming. Need a new dress? Lazada shopping. There are infinite amount of ways internet could be useful.
But as much as the internet has proven itself really useful everyday, there are still disadvantages which leads us to the downside of internet. First, is internet addiction. Addiction can come in many ways other than alcohol or drugs. Addiction in definition is engaging in activities that are pleasurable but interferes in daily responsibilities. And what other forms of addiction is most common nowadays, specially in teenagers, other than internet addiction. There many types of internet addiction and one of them is through online gaming.
Second exposure to pornography. Internet is a broad area where you can look for anything in only a few taps, and with a busy schedule, parents rarely have time to monitor what their children are looking at. But being in a pubescent age, children will be curious and it is inevitable they would come across these websites one way or another. Now the term prevention is better than cure doesn’t really work in this area, children will find it out sooner or later so it is much better to educate them personally as parents, warn and inform them about the dangers it will incur. Or just do “the talk”, it’s a thing and it can be awkward, but better safe than sorry.
Third is the extensive use of social media. Despite the Philippine’s slow internet connection
Next is being a social recluse. It is true that communication online is easier compared in real life because we are in control of when and what to say, and we can easily express emotions through emojis and stickers. But socializing in reality, you have to consider you tone and facial emotions or there might be a misunderstandings. Thus, people who normally communicate online finds a hard time personally interacting with people, verbally expressing their thoughts causes anxiety.
As a fellow online gamer, one hour of playing is only the minimum; while there are other online players who claim to play twenty-four straight hours of playing. Online games is addictive, and it is supposed to be, game producers are continuously innovating the gaming experiences that would capture the mass interest. What really makes the online games very addictive is it allows the player to fully immerse him/herself in a virtual world. As they say, it is a temporary escape from reality.
You can create your own character with attributes you wish you had in real life. You form relationships, develop a career, and accomplish things that would be impossible (or require far more effort) in the real world. Video games may offer an escape from the reality of the physical world and into a digital universe where players can assume any identity they desire.
–Dr. Brent Conrad
Long hours of using the internet doesn’t necessarily mean you are an internet addict, but by how you use the internet.
The internet user population will continue to grow over time, and with the continuous success of e-commerce, there is little to no possibility that we will see its collapse any time soon. This post’s purpose is to not undermine the importance of internet, but rather proved one of its importance which is to spread awareness and promote responsible use of internet. All in all, finding the right balance between responsibilities and using the internet is the key to prevent internet addiction.
📷 fubiz.net
Aune Frost 