Does the Internet Have Psychological Benefits?

587 Words2 Pages

The issue of the Internet having psychological benefits has two sides, as does any issue. James E. Katz and Philip Aspden present the yes side of this issue. Katz and Aspden used a national random telephone survey to back up their side on the issue. The survey conducted in October of 1995 compiled the individuals who took the survey into five specific groups. The groups consisted of those not aware of the Internet, non-users aware of the Internet, former users, recent users-those who started using the Internet in 1995, and longtime users-those who started using the Internet prior to 1995. The survey questioned community involvement (community, leisure, and religious,) involvement in existing communities (face to face, family, Internet,) and friendship formation (Internet and beyond.) They drew the conclusion that the Internet is helping to form new friendships and social relationships. Therefore, giving people the chance to join new groups and organizations other than those in their own community.

Robert Kraut et al. presented the no side of this issue. Kraut focused on two major themes, Internet for entertainment, information and commerce, similar to the television, meaning it could reinforce social bonds or reduce social involvement, and interpersonal communication, similar to the telephone rather than the television.

Interpersonal communication is the dominant use of the Internet. Kraut also tied a lot of his arguments to the national survey conducted by Katz and Aspden.

After reading both arguments I found myself agreeing more with the no side of this issue. I agree that the Internet, " is causing people to become socially isolated and cut off from genuine social relationships." This is because many people who use ...

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...o keep in touch with people they could not see or talk to everyday. Kraut can also be accused of taking both sides of the issue. For example, the article says, " ...the Internet is a social technology used for communication with individuals and groups, but it is associated with declines in social involvement and the psychological well-being that goes with social involvement." This means that Kraut is saying the Internet is good because it helps keep people in touch but at the same time is bad because while people are using the Internet for communication they are interfering with their psychological well-being. This to me is a little contradicting and extremely confusing.

Overall, both of these arguments suggest one idea; the more we use the Internet whether it is for communication or enjoyment the less time we are spending in the real world. "More is less."

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