Some people think that the amount of time we spend using the internet has a negative effect on social interaction, but other people feel that it opens up more possibilities for communication. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the internet.

Without a doubt, the

internet

has become one of the most important and transformative technologies in modern history. Not only is it an exceptional

communication

tool, but it is

also

cost effective for most people. While the

internet

has positively changed the way we communicate, it

also

has some damaging effects for individuals and society. Prior to the

internet

,

communication

was limited

to telephones

Accept comma addition

to, telephones

, letters, faxes, or

face

to

face

if you were in the same area.

This

was quite often costly due to exorbitant telephone charges, if calling abroad, and high postage fees and wait times for letters to arrive. The

internet

solved

Suggestion

has solved

those issues by allowing users to connect instantaneously with little to no cost. It has

also

opened the door for people, who do not always have

time

Suggestion

the time

or the ability to physically meet one another, stay in contact via many of the social media applications on offer. As an expatriate living in Egypt it is hideously expensive to telephone friends and family in Australia. Not only is cost an issue, but the

time

difference is

also

a problem.

However

, with the advent of applications

such

as WhatsApp and Viber, I can leave my family messages at any

time

of the day, free of charge.

Thus

, ease of

communication

is possible due to the

internet

. Despite having many plus points, there is unfortunately a darker side to the

internet

. Due to the fact that

internet

access is easily accessible for most people,

this

connectivity is resulting in obsessive usage. It is a common occurrence in many homes these days that families sit in the same room for hours on end, never uttering a single word to each other. Why, because they are utterly obsessed with surfing the net, playing games or messaging friends online. We find that most people, myself included, find it nigh on impossible to put down our devices in case we ‘miss’ something.

This

addictive behaviour has started to result in a breakdown of social skills – we are in danger of losing our ability to effectively talk to one another

face

to

face

. To contemplate a world without the

internet

is something unimaginable. Society has gained a great deal since the

internet

’s inception, particularly in terms of ease of

communication

.

However

,

although

obsessive usage is problematic, people should control the

time

spent online;

thus

, minimising anti-social behaviour.