The Internet has been in widespread popular use for just over two decades and served as a major tool for communication. Some people say that the Internet has narrowed distance among people, while others argue that it isolates people from real society. In this essay, I will look at both sides of the argument and give my opinion.
On the one hand, it is widely accepted that human relationships are closer thanks to the Internet. It enables people to maintain and strengthen existing ties by keeping in regular touch with their friends and relatives on social networking sites such as Skype and Twitter. With daily contact, the bonds would become increasingly intimate. Moreover, people around global are online and using the same websites, which gives them more opportunities than ever before to extend their networks. For example, on Facebook, million groups of music, fashion, sport, health, etc. have been built so that people can easily make friends and chat with someone who share the same interests with them. Obviously, the Internet does bring mankind closer together as it offers platforms through which they can interact with those who they already know as well as the unknown.
On the other hand, cyber is said to damage its users’ social connections. Social media sites can make it more difficult for people to distinguish between the meaningful relationships they foster in the real world, and the numerous casual relationships formed online. By focusing so much of their time and psychic energy on these less meaningful virtual relationships, their most important connections may be weakened. Scientific research show that Internet-addicts tend to sit in front of the screen instead of going out to talk to their neighbors across the streets, visiting relatives or traveling with friends. Hence, the internet clearly sucks people away from in-person contact and fostering real-world disconnection.
In conclusion, although it is undeniable that online network has brought humans enormous useful services, I hold the view that cyber has ruined people’s interaction in reality. If people are obsessed with virtual contact, they may gradually destroy their important relationships in real life.