It is observed that many individuals are fast becoming overly obsessed with the internet and their mobile devices. In my opinion, this is an unwelcome development and I will support my position with relevant points in the subsequent paragraphs.
First and foremost, this trend is likely to result in a decline in social interactions. This is because when people spend too much time surfing different social media platforms like instagram, Facebook, Twitter and the likes or playing one mobile game or the other on their iPads it would preclude them from spending quality time with family and loved ones and subsequently impede their communication prowess. A survey carried out in the Northern part of Nigeria reported that a good number of youths who are dependent on their cell phones cannot hold a proper face-to-face conversations with their peers because they are used to being behind the keypads. This further lends credence to my position that this trend is a negative one.
Besides, a trend like this would make people less productive because their concentration would be impaired. Constantly checking messages and following up with trending topics on the net can make it difficult to stay focused on task and can negatively affect personal or work life. Even, incessant ping, beep and buzz of smartphones could interrupt quiet moments that are necessary for creativity and problem solving. There are overwhelming shreds of evidence that people who make most errors at work are those who are always pressing their mobiles during work hours. It is possible for these mistakes to be minimal if they had avoided using their mobiles.
In conclusion, depending too much on the internet and mobile can lead to a decline in social interactions and these are also forms of distraction that can reduce people’s level of productivity. Hence, to me, such a practice is a step in the wrong direction.