The Negative Effects of Internet Addiction

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When it comes to the topic of technology, most people will readily agree that it has been growing non-stop at a significant pace. About 16 years ago, technologies, such as computers were not a necessity in mainstream life. Since then, technology has progressed and people have become extremely reliable on. In the essay “What’s the Matter with Kids Today?” by Amy Goldwasser, she talks about the positive aspects of the Internet. Although she mainly focuses on the positive she also contradicts herself and mentions some negative aspects. “Twenty-plus years ago, high school students didn’t have the Internet to store their trivia”(Goldwasser 238). Those unfamiliar with this school of thought may be interest to know that it basically boils down to the fact that over the years the Internet has become a necessity in ones life. Although the Internet provides sufficient information, and has proved to be a valuable resource, there must come a point where one can draw the line on spending too much time on the computer. Internet addiction has become a serious issue in society today because it causes people to neglect work, social relationships, and, in some cases it could alters one’s health.

A large portion of Americans are involved with social-networking websites and this can also lead to a very serious addiction. “The average teen chooses to spend an average of 16.7 hours a week reading and writing online”(Goldwasser 239). By focusing on how much reading and writing a teen does on the computer, Goldwasser overlooks the deeper problem of whether or not this type of reading and writing is educational. Teenagers spend too much time on social networking websites and this trend can eventually make matters worse. Spending so much time on these w...

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... is a question that many students ask themselves before studying for an exam, writing a paper, or simply doing homework. Hours and hours pass before some students begin their assignments and they will wait until last minute to get anything done.

Internet addiction is becoming more and more common among Americans. Although Goldwasser includes positive points about the Internet she fails to search deeper into the problem that American teens have with it today. People may neglect work and social relationships as a result of Internet addiction. There are also many health problems that could be caused by Internet addiction. The Internet is a big part of society today and many people cannot go a day without using it. Internet addiction has become an escalating problem that may never go away. People rely on the Internet so much and in the future it may get worse.

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