It is true that with the advent of internet device/technology, our modern-day society has come closer, new horizons of knowledge have opened and communication between man to man has become so easier and fast.
Facts reveal that the use of internet by social media lovers, more especially the younger generation, over the years, has gone speedily up with the result that the disadvantages of this device have started surfacing and educators and parents are worried to find out a way, if not to discard, but at least, propose some measures to confine our younger generation from this growing menace.
Sociologists maintain that man is a social animal. It is important for his both mental and physical health that he interacts and communicates with other human beings in real terms. The excessive use of the internet has led our young generation to be a victim of loss in cultural and social relations. Though the internet is providing connectivity, its results are either less promising or weak because real relationships can’t be built on virtual chats and communications only. Most of them usually come out fake which may lead to sadness or depression later.
A major disadvantage of the internet about which usually parents are more concerned is using the internet by their children for a longer period and sticking to computer/mobile screens for hours. This causes the eye muscles to become weak and that is why we see young children wearing glasses comparatively at a very early age.
Again, physiatrists believe that using internet for prolonged hours causes depression and mental stress in youngsters and gives rise to other mental diseases, like despair, sadness, addiction etc. Thus, they become anti-social and get angry easily. It must not be forgotten that real happiness lies within the real world and not in internet-oriented virtual life. Scientists have discovered signs of toxic matter in the brains of heavy internet users that could grow overly worse over a period and affect their concentration and memory, as well as their ability to make independent decisions and set goals. It could also reduce their resilience and lead to ‘inappropriate’ behaviour.
The inept use of the internet is keeping on increasing every day; that is why attention must be paid to its bad effects and its users must be informed about all this. Seminars, workshops, academic conferences and parent-pupil meetings need to be organized from time to time to discuss and highlight the disadvantages of the excessive use of the internet.
Everything has both good and bad aspects, it is we who choose which side to go. So, choose we must wisely and make the internet our good tool and companion. The man has made technology and its use is in our hands. Don’t let it become our master. What is advisable is that we use the internet to extract good from it. Let the disadvantages of internet do not overcome its good purpose.
