Meaghann Hall

In recent years it has become very noticeable that the human race is becoming more and more reliant on computers. It is not hard to miss that as we become more accustomed to the Internet and other functions of the computer, we begin to use them more often. We become subordinate to the technology and use the computers for more than work and finding information. Computers have become more of a necessity than an information source. As a society we have become utterly addicted to them. However, is our dependency a good thing or should we be more questionable of their benefits?
I believe that our dependency is a bad thing. I believe that computers should be used as a way to learn information, type, play games, and a source of information, not as a place to hang out and spend every minute on. I must confess I, too, like to play games on the computer and talk to my friends, however, I believe that when you begin to trash other people and misuse websites, then computers have become useless and have come harmful to us. In fact, cyber bullying is a very serious issue. There are many ways that you can be bullied from online sources. The I-safe America research team recently conducted a survey, which involved1500 kids between the grades of fourth to eighth grade, to see what percentage of kids had been affected by cyber bullying. They found out that 58% of the children admitted that someone has said mean or hurtful words to them online. 53% admitted to saying mean or hurtful things to someone else online. 42% have been bullied while online. I think that these actions are very hurtful, and the only way cyber bullying can be stopped is by the people doing it.
As a result of computer obsession and dependency, there are many problems with the Internet. The misuse of the Internet has led to children being obsessed to online games and their grades dropping, some marriages have been destroyed through games and chat rooms, and peoples’ lives have been ruined by the inappropriate use of websites. This kind of computer usage is horrible and is affecting our culture and daily lives in a negative way. When this technology begins separating families, starting conflict between friends, interfering with school and jobs, and financially affecting people there is something wrong. I am surprised at the lack of suspicion in this area of conflict.
When the computer is used in a correct manner I see no harm in it. In fact, there are stupendous things that have resulted from this technology. There is access to places you might want to go and information about it. From a click of a button, you can see and even hear about the latest news and events. There is online shopping and entertainment, such as music, books, radio, etc.
However, from my point of view the bad outweighs the good. I find it a shame that people have ruined such a good invention in such a profane way. I think we should be more suspicious as to what the Internet is really being used for. So many people have been hurt form their computers and I feel it must stop. We should take a stand to do something about it. All the bad things that result from the computer usage should make us realize that s we come more addicted to the computer, the more bad things are going to happen. Computers are becoming too prominent in our lives.