Internet: less isolation, but also less real intimacy

I think that the internet has had both positive and negative effects on our American society. There is no doubt that the internet has allowed more effective networking among people, as well as allowed friends and family to stay in touch even when separated by long distances. As our textbook mentioned, the internet has allowed many people who do not have the benefit of frequent face to face contact with others, such as shut ins, to interact with others in chat rooms and form meaningful relationships.

On the other hand, I think that the internet has had a negative effect on the development of real intimacy in relationships. We have already seen in our text that there is a human tendency to communicate with our faces. In general, in person interactions allow easier communication when discussing emotional conflicts or making major decisions. An example of this is the tendency for businessmen or businesswomen to fly across the country or the world for meetings, when in this age of technology he or she could simply call in. As the internet has flourished, people have begun to rely more heavily on email and chat communications which I believe has the potential to decrease the level of intimacy that is possible between the two who are interacting. Some people, and particularly teenagers, spend a significant amount of time chatting with friends over the internet. If this time were spent having meaningful conversation in person, more emotional intimacy with parents, siblings and friends would develop. While the internet has decreased isolation, it may have also decreased the intensity of our interactions. We have a greater quantity of interaction now, but not greater quality of interactions.