Computers and the Internet at the Expense of Family Relationships

Computers and the internet at home are both bane and boon, using the trite expression. It just confirms what many philosophical pundits have claimed in the industrial revolution of the 19th century and getting more apt in today's world. Technology can be a double edged sword. Your use or misuse determines it.

Just like nuclear fission that became a reality near the mid-1900s. You get its destructive potential hanging like the proverbial Damocles sword on every city on the planet since the days of the cold war of the 60s and 70s. You have terrorists today that can get their hands on a nuclear warhead and that can continue the threat. But the same engineering breakthroughs on fissionable substances have led to nuclear power plants that bring light and electricity to many homes across the globe and bring the comfort and convenience of modern living to more people than ever.

The computers and the internet have the same two faces on the same coin, as it were. These two convergent technologies have conspired to enrich our lives as never before. But it comes paradoxically to diminish the social dimensions we've taken for granted in daily living.

Too Busy for Anything

You only need to check the kids once in while. Chances are they are quite engrossed controlling joysticks of game consoles or latched to the PC. Or you have them browsing the internet for hours on end. And when any of these computing artifacts of the 20th century breaks down, you have them ready to get into the nearest neighborhood gaming stations or internet cafes.

Are the kids growing up to be internet and game console potatoes? Well, it used to be TV couch potatoes, but that's increasingly getting some rivalry with games consoles and computers. Is that any good at all?

At What Expense

Computers and Internet have social scientist debating their effects on the social fabric of a nation. When most kids these days spend more time on the computer, either doing online gaming or engaging in senseless patter over social networking sites, browsing pornographic stuff or engaging in online gambling, one begins to wonder what they will be like 10 years from now.

- Computer Games

Many academicians points to undeniable benefits in improved reflexes and mental concentration with the games getting a lot more realistically immersive and challenging these days. There are social games that improve on the societal interpersonal skills of kids in the same way that competitive games can improve their sportsmanship.

- Social Networking without being Sociable

The new phenomenon of teeners and kids as well as housewives engaging in social networking sites have redefined societal relationships where the internet essentially becomes a virtual social gathering of sorts. But it is rather strange that kids these days would prefer to email, text and chat over mobile networks and the internet rather than have any meaningful interaction with friends at school and family members at home.

What seems to emerge from all this is a computer nerd who can't keep relationships with real people but can be quite popular among registered members in a social networking site. GP

About the Author:

ITC Sales are a leading supplier of Dell and HP Laptops such as the Dell Vostro and Precision. ITC also supply servers such as the Dell PowerEdge

Author: Ritchie Smythe