Topic > The Internet Paradox: A Social Technology That Reduces Social Engagement and Psychological Well-Being

The Internet could change the lives of ordinary people as much as the telephone did in the early 20th century and TV did in the 1960s. Specialists and social commentators debate whether the Internet is strengthening or damaging cooperation in group life and social connections. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Fifteen years ago, PCs were largely an area of ​​science, design, and business. In 1998, approximately 40 percent of all US households required a PC; about 33% of these homes have moved on to the Internet. Numerous researchers, technologists and social commentators believe that these advances and the Internet, in particular, are changing financial and social life. Some researchers argue that the Internet is causing individuals to find themselves socially confined and cut off from authentic social connections, as they hunker down alone at their terminals or talk to mysterious strangers through a socially ruined medium. Others argue that the Internet leads to more and better social relationships by freeing people from geographic constraints or isolation caused by stigma, illness or schedules. According to them, the Internet allows people to join groups based on normal interests rather than convenience. Disputes in light of the innovation's qualities alone do not resolve this civil argument. Individuals can use home PCs and the Internet in a wide range of ways and for a few reasons, including entertainment, education, data retrieval, and communication. Various applications on the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web, provide a social excitement that could rival social contact as a path through which individuals can invest their energy. Whether the Internet is expanding or shrinking, social inclusion could have huge results for society and the prosperity of individuals close to home. In his powerful article, Putnam (1995) documented a broad decline in urban engagement and social investment in the United States over the past few years. Citizens vote less, go to church less, scrutinize government less with their neighbors, belong to less engaging associations, host fewer dinner parties, and, in general, have fewer parties for civic and social purposes. Putnam argued that this social separation is having significant results for the social fabric and the lives of individuals. At the societal level, social withdrawal is linked to more degenerate, less effective government and increased wrongdoing. When citizens are involved in municipal life, their schools function better, their legislators are more responsive, and their streets are safer. At the individual level, social withdrawal is related to a low quality of life and reduced physical and mental well-being. When people have more social contact, they are more joyful and more advantageous, both physically and rationally. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The goal of this article is to analyze these issues and report the first experimental effects of a field trial of Internet use. We showed that in another example, during their first year or two online, members' Internet use led them, in turn, to have less social engagement and less mental prosperity..