The Internet Deteriorates Family Relationships

My mom walks into the TV room and gives my sister and I a glare. All I could think was what could that possibly be for or what did I do wrong now? As I look around the room I notice that my sister is on her IPod Touch and on her laptop, and so am I. Then, I see my dad walk in the door from work talking on his Blackberry. Now I understand my mother’s glare.

Americans today tend to believe that the Internet dominates the best methods of great communication and connecting with people. Although I agree that the Internet appears as an exceptional communicating device, I cannot accept the fact that families can become distant because of the Internet. For instance, in the documentary “Digital Nation,” one of the first things that occurred, included the narrator noticing how each of her family members acted in their own virtual world, meaning they are on their laptop or iPhone. Do we want our world to become a place where we can only connect with people through a technological gadget?

Ben Turner, the author of the article “The Internet’s Effect on Relationships: Detrimental or Beneficial?” suggests that people have started to become addicted to the Internet, therefore causing people to not take part in their family. In addition, he states that “withdrawal from family relationships” caused “increases in loneliness” (1). Ultimately, I agree with him about increased loneliness and that people are addicted to the Internet because recent studies by psychologists have proven that 6-11% of Internet users are addicted. A study done by Stanford University explains how Internet usage has become worse. 13% of the Stanford students said that they need to reduce their time on the Internet.

Professor Christine Morris, the author of “The Effect of the Home Computer on Family Relationships” from the University of Maine, urges that family rifts have been created because of Internet. Furthermore, she reports that there has been a decrease in “socialization and issues concerning friendship” (2). With similar views, the authors from the journal the “American Psychologist” suggest that there has been an “Internet paradox,” meaning most Americans think that the Internet is improving communication, when in fact the Internet depletes psychological stableness and social engagements. I agree with the authors of the “American Psychologist” because spending time in a virtual world does not count as social involvement.

On the other hand, well-known authors of the “Psychologist Suite 101” blog argue that the Internet does not lead to non-social behavior. Moreover, they argue that the Internet increases “their face-to-face interaction with friends and families” (1). Though I concede that someone who emerges as anti-social in the real world can begin socializing on the Internet, I still insist that Americans live in the real world, not in the virtual world, so it proves necessary to communicate with people all the time.

Arguing with ambivalent views, Allen Harkleroad, the author of “The Internet- Good or Bad?” from the Statesboro Business & Lifestyle Magazine, suggests that the Internet has its positives and its negatives. One of the positives being that it exists as the best way to connect with family. I most definitely side with Harkleroad and agree that the Internet allows families to connect on opposite sides of the world. For instance, when I lived in England, I communicated to my family in the U.S. by Internet. Military families also find the Internet extremely helpful when communicating with their loved ones in combat. In those circumstances the Internet can be useful to connect with family, especially when having to communicate long-distance. Even though the Internet may seem useful, could it become just like the older technologies?

When the television was first introduced it was revolutionary technology, but has it decreased family time? Elena, a writer for Syntax, discusses how watching television gives the impression of being anti- social. Usually, people watch television to watch their favorite show, which most likely does not include watching it with a family member. Could this occur with the Internet?

In sum, many writers such as Ben Turner, Christine Morris, and the authors of the “American Psychologist” argue that Internet has caused family communication to decline as a result of Internet addictions. If familiar relationships continue to decline a positive solution for this problem would be family therapy or a less extreme solution would be to set times designated for the Internet and for family . As we look into the future, we want to be connected with our families. After all, it seems better to have wonderful family connections rather than great Internet connections.

Works Cited

Morris, Christine. "The Effect of the Home Computer on Family Relationships." University of Maine at Machias | Environmental Liberal Arts on the Coast of Maine. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. .

Turner, Ben. "The Internet's Effects on Relationships: Detrimental OrBeneficial?" BenTurner.com. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. .

"The Internet and Social Relationships: Facebook, MySpace, Online: Research Refutes Cyber Socializing Fears." Psychology. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. .

Harkleroad, Allen. "The Internet - Good or Bad?" Statesboro | Statesboro Georgia Business and Lifestyle Magazine | Statesboro Ga. Web. 05 Aug. 2010. .