Do We Need It?

Can you imagine the world without the Internet? Can you even fathom not using Facebook or Twitter to consolidate your life, or actually having to pick up a book to find desired information? Well, according to Hany Rashwan in, “Communication Key to Egypt’s Uprising,” the thoughts of getting rid of the Internet are close to his mind.

Egyptians in Protest for Their Rights 

            Rashwan believes that the Internet is freedom, and having that chance to be free, whoever you are, is essential. He claims when he heard a statement by Wael Ghonim(a Middle-Eastern Google executive who started the Facebook group protests), “If you want to liberate a government, give them the Internet,” he was chilled. Rashwan is mesmerized with just how lucky we are to have steaming information at our fingertips, and that it’s free! He talks about it as a form of democracy. You can convey any image you want about yourself online, even if it’s not socially acceptable, and it’s considered okay. 

            This invention has empowered people Rashwan says, and when Egypt’s Internet was taken down engineers at Google and Twitter came up with ways to have the unspeakable voices heard. He believes that it’s this sort of connection, no pun intended, which is bringing nations together.

            I do believe that the Internet can bring people together, but I also think that it has caused many problems for us worldwide. This addiction to technology is what has me weary on this subject. The point I want to communicate is while the Internet is fascinating, and partly needed for in this society, is it really necessary?

1969 Computer 

            It’s crazy to think that this global tool, we use today, has been in the workings since 1969. That email wasn’t even created until 1971, by Ray Tomlinson. The Internet seems to have mysteriously popped up, and we hardly realize the time that was put into creating it. The World Wide Web in 1989, the first webcam in 1991, and Google in 1998. I think at this time people were really focused on making the web for informational and educational purposes, and once the twenty-first century hit, it got way too fun. 

            With all the time you can spend searching for new music, looking up videos, chatting, and uploading photos you loose the part that makes us all human.

            When I was six I was outside playing in the forest, and now at six we have Facebook accounts. I believe children at this age especially should not engage in Internet use. I think it erases the precious time that is needed to play, create and most of all imagine. Why imagine when everything is already online for you to read or watch about?

"What should I post today?"

            Along with the Internet taking away childhood development, I believe it's also a resulting factor of obesity rates and health issues. In a study published by the Washington Post it showed that music, television, Internet, and other media use were having a negative effect on children. The correlation between childhood obesity, drug use, ADHD, lower academic achievement, tobacco use, and even early sexual behavior were very strong. The data viewed a modern child at spending 45 hours a week using some form of media. That’s a crazy amount of time to be spending in virtual reality.

            So when Rashwan says, “that the Internet is bringing people together”, I disagree. I think there is much more to be know about the effects of all media use. But, as it stands, I believe it’s having a negative reaction to the human race.