A few months back, I visited my aunt who was under a lot of stress due to her twelve year old son. He was observed to have psychological disturbance of the new sort called online gaming addiction where the patient is called ‘internet freak’. The apparently normal child spent approximately of five to six hours daily and if not stopped than even more on internet. The only difference in attitude of this internet freak was that he was restless, impatient and uncomfortable in even the most enjoyable company of his own age group, he did not seem to smile at any joke and his thoughts were always wondering on the next levels of game. It was like that as if throwing a party for him was similar to confining him in a gathering, because all he wanted was his computer, internet and peace from the real world. Aunt shared with me that she wants to consult a psychologist for his son. A few years back my aunt was proud of his 6 years old child as he knew so much about computers and internet, he was considered cool among his fellow being but now he has caused a tense environment in the vicinity. The child lack physical exercise and was not interested to do any which was making him less active in ‘real world’.
I automatically started analyzing me if I was a ‘internet freak’ as well, I have to admit that not checking my facebook, chatting with friends, my emails, my online music, my flickr etc etc gives me a sense of incompletion. It is also true that the voice of my computer running gives me a sense of peace as if I am available to the world even if I am actively not working on it. But is it only that I wanted to be updated or does it make me internet addicted.
I guess to some extent everyone in our generation is internet addicted, in some the problem is so extended that their parents are concerned, and in others it is still to be identified. Logging onto the Internet is like a kid taken to a toy store; there is so much to do and explore that once you get in, you never want to leave. People also go online because the Internet offers freedom to do whatever they want, to say whatever they want and to be whoever they want. As a result of information and freedom, the Internet has become an addiction for individuals and society. The so-called computer age has a conflict between virtual self and social self. These two entirely different terms are now used in replacements of one another. A virtual world where by Neil Postman, nothing is unbelievable, nothing is predictable and therefore nothing comes as a surprise while then there is this real social world which is total opposite, which has the respect of individual being.
I automatically started analyzing me if I was a ‘internet freak’ as well, I have to admit that not checking my facebook, chatting with friends, my emails, my online music, my flickr etc etc gives me a sense of incompletion. It is also true that the voice of my computer running gives me a sense of peace as if I am available to the world even if I am actively not working on it. But is it only that I wanted to be updated or does it make me internet addicted.
I guess to some extent everyone in our generation is internet addicted, in some the problem is so extended that their parents are concerned, and in others it is still to be identified. Logging onto the Internet is like a kid taken to a toy store; there is so much to do and explore that once you get in, you never want to leave. People also go online because the Internet offers freedom to do whatever they want, to say whatever they want and to be whoever they want. As a result of information and freedom, the Internet has become an addiction for individuals and society. The so-called computer age has a conflict between virtual self and social self. These two entirely different terms are now used in replacements of one another. A virtual world where by Neil Postman, nothing is unbelievable, nothing is predictable and therefore nothing comes as a surprise while then there is this real social world which is total opposite, which has the respect of individual being.
1 comment:
I have to say that I totally agree with your opinion. As SMT’s are spreading to younger ages the normal concept of relations is getting more and more invisible. I wouldn’t say that SMT’s are destroying normal relationships; rather it is changes the way these relationships should be maintained. By understanding the behavior of our younger generation we can try to adapt our views on social activities with the way the younger generation communicates. As I see it, there are no wrong ways, only less good ones. Future birthday parties maybe could be spent on a multiplayer game, reducing the environmental footprint of transportation (In my opinion, a rather scaring example).
Regarding your question, if you are an internet freak or not, internet freak is an expression that is changing all the time. More and more internet usage is considered “OK” by the bigger mass. If you analyze your internet usage and compare that with the general internet usage 5 years ago, you will probably get your answer.
I think the most visual negative in effect of different SMT’s will be the effect of computer gaming. Kids today are getting overactive and don’t know what to do with their energy. The society should not discharge this energy; rather develop in a way so that it can take use this energy in a constructive way.
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