Smart Technology Kicks Off
The 2000s brought low-rise skinny jeans along with the invention of the iPhone, one more fashionably acceptable than the other. Can you guess which one? I’ll give you a hint: It turned from a trend into something so intertwined in our lives. That’s right, the iPhone still exists today and is more alive than ever. You might even be reading this on your own phone.
In 1996, the internet was initially offered in Finland. About a decade later in 2008, the first iPhone was launched: iPhone 2G. Since then, there have been numerous models with a new one released every year. The iPhone is not the only smartphone out there; Samsung and Google also have launched their own line of smart devices. Smartphones and other digital devices provide access to various functions that are made possible by the internet.
The internet was made to entertain and assist a person. With the internet, people can now stay in touch with each through social media apps as well have access to help such as finding how to get someplace. People can “google” how to do something like how to milk cows, and with a handheld smartphone, you can research and connect at the click of a button or two.
Some Say the Internet Is great
I mean, that’s quite a loaded question. Some will say yes, others will say no, and of course some will go both ways. Personally, I think the internet is both good and bad but are we too late to stop the “badness?” Here are some things to think about on why the internet has been a great tool to our society.
The internet gives people a space to create, share, and connect with others. We are able to communicate like no other way before. Social media companies have designed platforms where anyone with access to the internet can create their own account to talk, share, and post content anywhere and anytime.
We can even build our own businesses as well as create and publish our own content. Heck, I’m doing it right now! Businesses that were initially brick and mortar can now sell their goods and services online which makes them more accessible to a larger audience.
All of these online spaces are a great way for people to connect without actually having to walk, drive, or fly anywhere. This is particularly amazing for friends and family who don’t live close – even those who are traveling – so that they can connect in real-time through apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom. Not only have the ability to meet up online with loved ones but also strangers. Sounds weird when you say it out loud, but in some cases, strangers have been the biggest supporters of a person (ie. a celebrity, artist, political figures, the average Joe).
Endless people have met through a variety of reasons ranging from playing video games to support groups. People have created these online communities and have made close friends regardless of whether they have ended up meeting in-person or not.
When the deadly virus of Covid-19 hit about a year ago, it led our world to transition from in-person activities to everything being strictly online… except Florida (Let’s take a moment to sigh…). Work and school were held remotely and doing anything in-person was not suggested, even ordered for a couple of months. Being cooped up indoors for months on-end led any sane person to miss in-person gatherings and to miss our in-person communities. The one silver lining to not being able to see loved ones in real life, face-to-face, is that we could (and still can) connect with each other over the internet. However, for some people it led to burn out because a majority of their day was already spent online.
The video below summarizes brief points as to the pros and cons of social media, and by extension, the internet.
Others Argue Against the Internet
While I could vouch for the internet all day long, I could also do the same for its downfalls. While the internet has allowed us to connect at any point in time with anyone, it also gives people an opportunity to hide behind a screen. Cyber-bullying has led to many suicides and depressions – particularly in teens and young people – and the safety of the screen is partly to blame. First off, it’s not okay to bully anyone period, but to make mean remarks to a person behind a screen can sometimes be worse to a person.
In addition to cyber bullying, some communities that were once so tightly knit have become less close online. I know some would argue the opposite, but my argument is that mainly communicating with friends online takes away the rawness you get in a real-life friendship. Now I’m not saying two people who met online and have never seen each other in-person cannot have a wonderful friendship, that’s not what I am saying. I simply believe that it can sometimes make connecting in-person harder because you don’t have a filter or someone who edits your personality or physical appearance.
Finding a Balance Between Two Types of Communities
So how do we solve the issue of dealing with increased internet usage and devices that are practically attached at our hip most of the day? Finding a balance between your online community versus the communities you interact with in-person is key to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
For some, it may be quite difficult but I know there are others out there who would prefer to have more in-person interactions. It is difficult to want to minimize technology when you live in a community surrounded by it; Technology eventually forces you to play by the rules when you suddenly can’t access something because it has a digital code or requires a digital device in general.
Making sure you spend time away from the screen and occasionally plan in-person gatherings allows you to be more focused when needing to connect in your online communities. This also goes both ways; Sometimes we feel burnt out and don’t have the energy to meet in-person so that is when connecting through a smart device comes through. Regardless of what kind of community you prefer – online or in-person – I believe that in order to live a healthy life, you need to learn to balance your time on and off screen.
Journalism 2.0 