The Internet is Interfering

Shayla Stevens

I often disagree with a lot of Carr’s statements but I do agree with him when he says the Internet is imposing on our daily lives. Statistics show the average person spends seven hours on the Internet or their phone. Many cannot even go a day without using electronic devices.  People are constantly checking emails, social network accounts, and their phones. Yet, we have adjusted our lives to needing these devices. Many people have smart phones in which they are able to do all this from which makes it much more convenient for us. Yet, that means we are able to be on the Internet more; if you look around you see people on their laptops or phones on buses, walking, in class, at work, and almost everywhere you look. Many would not be able to get through the day without these devices. A majority of schools and jobs require us to constantly be checking up on our emails, or doing research on the Internet. We need to stay in touch with people at all times.

One thing I cannot stand is when I see people out to eat and they do not put their phones down. We need to start having more face to face interaction. There is a time and place for everything and being out to eat is not a time for electronic devices.  Due to the high use in these devices people are losing communication skills. Today’s generation has very poor communication skills, interaction skills, and public speaking skills. I believe this is due to the high use of the Internet. We are sitting behind a screen and have time to think of what we are going to say and how we are going to react. We do not actually have to be face to face with someone else.

The high use of Internet and texting affects our writing skills as well. When texting or using social networks many users abbreviate words and there is a huge lack in expression. A lot of times we are unable to tell exactly what the individual means or is stressing. Also many people lack proper writing techniques and have trouble spelling. With spell check and auto correct we do not have to think of spelling the computer does it all for us. When we have to write out papers or exams many people struggle because they need to take more time to think of different words because there is no thesaurus they can just click on or spell check.

Shayla Stevens