The Internet: Friend or Foe?
Natasha Morales
Prof. Kanter
English 102
July 31st, 2013 The Internet: Friend or Foe? Over the past 5 years or so I’ve realized that both my attention span and reading skills have declined. Most people like the Internet because it is easy, quick, and “reliable”. Ever so often 85% of Americans 18 and older are on the Internet. According to studies made by nGenera, a research and consulting group of people, in 2008 they released that young kids have trouble absorbing information due to deep mental involvement while using the Internet. Apart from being distracting, the Internet is more dangerous for us than we think and could lead to enduring side affects. Just about a generation ago, the Internet entered our lives and made researching easier than ever. The idea first came around in 1962, when J.C.R. Licklider of MIT discussed his “Galactic Network” idea. From social networking to shopping, you can do almost anything on the Internet nowadays. Long before the Internet, the telegraph, telephone, radio, and computer were invented. In other words, humans were capable of progressing and inventing even before the Internet existed. This proves that we don’t have to rely on the Internet fully. The Internet prevents actual learning and gives us fast information that doesn’t stick to our minds unless were highly interested. Instead of reading a book and looking up information that we don’t know, we Google everything and get a fast answer. We instantly receive so much information it’s overwhelming and won’t stick. I remember growing up as a kid and doing my homework with the television on. I really wish I never did that when I was a child because now I have trouble doing homework without any noise. It is safe to say that my generation loves to multitask. Not only does the Internet have an effect on your brain, but also on your body. Perhaps the worst effect it can have on our brains is slight brain damage from taking in so much information. You
Prof. Kanter
English 102
July 31st, 2013 The Internet: Friend or Foe? Over the past 5 years or so I’ve realized that both my attention span and reading skills have declined. Most people like the Internet because it is easy, quick, and “reliable”. Ever so often 85% of Americans 18 and older are on the Internet. According to studies made by nGenera, a research and consulting group of people, in 2008 they released that young kids have trouble absorbing information due to deep mental involvement while using the Internet. Apart from being distracting, the Internet is more dangerous for us than we think and could lead to enduring side affects. Just about a generation ago, the Internet entered our lives and made researching easier than ever. The idea first came around in 1962, when J.C.R. Licklider of MIT discussed his “Galactic Network” idea. From social networking to shopping, you can do almost anything on the Internet nowadays. Long before the Internet, the telegraph, telephone, radio, and computer were invented. In other words, humans were capable of progressing and inventing even before the Internet existed. This proves that we don’t have to rely on the Internet fully. The Internet prevents actual learning and gives us fast information that doesn’t stick to our minds unless were highly interested. Instead of reading a book and looking up information that we don’t know, we Google everything and get a fast answer. We instantly receive so much information it’s overwhelming and won’t stick. I remember growing up as a kid and doing my homework with the television on. I really wish I never did that when I was a child because now I have trouble doing homework without any noise. It is safe to say that my generation loves to multitask. Not only does the Internet have an effect on your brain, but also on your body. Perhaps the worst effect it can have on our brains is slight brain damage from taking in so much information. You
Cited: Goshgraian, Gary, and Kathleen Krueger. An Argument Rhetoric and Reader. 7th ed. N.p.: Pearson, n.d. Print. "Internet adoption becomes nearly universal among some groups, but others lag behind." Pew Research Center. Lee Rainie, n.d. Web. 31 July 2013. . Internet Society. Galerie Jean-Malbuisson, n.d. Web. 31 July 2013. .