The internet has become a major part of students’ lives. It has become an important source of information and a way to connect with people from around the world. However, the internet can also have negative effects on students. One negative effect of the internet on students is that it can distract them from their studies. Many students use the internet to research information for their classes, but this can also lead to them spending less time studying and more time on the internet.
Another negative effect of the internet on students is that it can lead to cyber-bullying. Many students turn to the internet to anonymously harass or bully others. This can have a bad effects on students and teenagers.
How internet is destroying Students and Teenagers
The use of the Internet has skyrocketed in the early years of the twenty-first century. Since the day it first debuted in human existence, this worldwide network of connected systems has experienced constant growth in popularity. It is obvious why individuals all over the world become addicted to the Internet given the accessibility to information and the interactive communication methods it provides. The Internet invasion has given rise to the phenomena known as e-commerce, e-business, and e-marketing. The advantages offered by using the Internet in daily life are without a doubt.
According to a research by Stephen Siwek, in 2014, firms with direct Internet connections contributed $966 billion to the US economy. However, as this global system expands, there is a growing cause for alarm. It talks about the drawbacks of the Internet. More often than ever, people discuss their lack of control over information sources, security breaches, or online addiction. In compared to this century, there has never been a time when the negative impacts of the Internet have received as much attention. What are these issues specifically, and how do they impact our society?
1. Lack of Face to Face Communication
When the absence of face-to-face interaction is cited as one of the negative impacts of the internet—when the internet is meant to bring people closer together—it seems pretty ironic. But the truth is that, for some reason, a lot of individuals prefer online communication to direct communication. They prefer to communicate using online chat programs like Messenger or Viber. Making a face-to-face conversation is becoming more and more difficult. According to research published in the International Journal of Organizational Design and Engineering, face-to-face communication in cooperation fosters creativity, mutual trust, and greater results.
Teenagers and students’ interpersonal ties with friends and family would be impacted if they frequently select Internet communication over face-to-face interaction. The Washington Post survey’s findings show that 6% of respondents said that using the Internet excessively had a negative impact on their relationships. It is said that some people love internet talking because it keeps them somewhat disconnected from reality.
2. Lack of Creativity
Another adverse impact of the Internet that stems from its advantages is the absence of creativity among youths and students. The Internet’s limitless information sources are a key component. Users gain from this feature’s rapid and easy access to necessary information. However, creativity is not necessary when everything is readily available. Nowadays, students don’t need to put much effort into their assignments or projects because all the material they want can be found on the Internet and copied and pasted into their work in a matter of minutes. This issue serves as a warning sign for the rise in plagiarism, which results in a lack of inventiveness. These younger folks will become reliant on the Internet to complete their learning if this practice persists. Users of all ages experience the same scenario, not only students. Things get simpler to the point that learning and creativity are hampered.
3. Cyber Bulling
Cyberbullying is a phrase used to describe bullying that takes place online. This drawback is among the most nefarious side effects of the Internet. Haters will never find it simpler to slander someone. Cyberbullying frequently targets celebrities or certain groups of people who are members of protected classes. Since there is barely any legislation or regulation to address the issues, this form of harassment is less dangerous and more straightforward than physical bullying. Because of the degrading remarks or opinions, cyberbullying victims could feel humiliated or ashamed. Teenagers will be more vulnerable to the negative consequences due to their increased sensitivity and vulnerability throughout puberty. It has been demonstrated that victims of cyberbullying are less likely to attempt suicide. On the internet, it is believed that bullying of students predominates. A student may become mad and ultimately commit suicide as a result of a few criticisms from professors or instances of cheating by groups of pals. It is essential to be aware of these unfavorable impacts of the Internet in advance.
4. Time wastage
When considering the detrimental consequences of the Internet, it would be a mistake to overlook time wasting. According to The Washington Post, 9% of people tried to cover up their “non-essential Internet use.” Additionally, a research from Stanford University revealed that 12.4% of participants frequently stayed online longer than they meant to. It goes without saying that if you spend too much time online, you will have to sacrifice time for other pursuits. The Internet is comparable to a black hole with endless storage of entertainment in that there is no way to escape. Rather than learning or engaging in other worthwhile activities, a large number of students and teens spend the majority of their time watching movies, browsing Facebook, and playing video games. The Internet used to help students and teens work more effectively, but today it helps them accomplish absolutely no work. The research and development of the Internet have made it a tempting diversion, particularly for youngsters. As a result, although electronic bill payment continues to rise, their academic performance increasingly declines.
5. Leaving the Family Alone
Anything that is used excessively always has adverse consequences. There is no exemption with the Internet. One of negative impacts of Internet use is family desertion when children and teens use it excessively. The tragic case of a couple in Korea will serve as the best illustration of this impact since they were preoccupied with their virtual kid and neglected to take care of their actual infant.
Finally, this little infant passed away from starvation and parental desertion. People who spend the most of their time online tend to lose touch with reality and others around them, including their own family members. It goes without saying that parents’ first motivation when giving their kids internet access is to introduce them to a wider world, not to isolate themselves in a make-believe world devoid of family. The Internet is frequently a student’s lone buddy. Hours of online surfing have taken the place of family time and parent-child time. They avoid interacting with other members of the family and pay them little attention.
6. Privacy Disrupted
Another of the negative impacts of the internet that you need to be aware of is the threat to your privacy, which arises from the unrestricted movement of information on the internet. Every day on social networking, teenagers communicate their photos, personal messages, and other sensitive information. Many students even update their class number, ID number, and other security-related information. They are not entirely aware of the harm to their privacy posed by the ease with which strangers may access and abuse their information. Their right to privacy might be interfered with and compromised. So remember that not everything on the Internet may be traded.
Be cautious when uploading any sensitive information and check to see who has access to it for your best interests and to avoid these harmful Internet impacts.
7. Insomnia
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, insomnia is a sleeping problem that occurs when people are unable to relax or sleep. And the Internet, a potent global system, may be contributing to sleeplessness in some way. There is no denying that teens and students use the Internet continuously during the day. Even while they are asleep, they take advantage of any free moment to browse the Internet. They will develop the habit of staying up late to check Facebook or Instagram just after a few days, and trust me when I say that it is difficult to break. Additionally, the green light from your computer monitor or other electrical devices may prevent you from falling asleep.
We are all aware of the negative effects of staying up late on our health. Numerous health issues will manifest when the body is not given adequate time to relax. The article Effect of Insufficient Sleep details the detrimental effects on health.
Students and teens, who are in the developmental stage, will be impacted by sleeplessness both physically and mentally. After staring at a screen for a while, eye strain will develop. Therefore, to avoid several health issues, save yourself by shutting off the Internet early tonight. Also, make it a practice to go to bed early.
8. Physical Inactivity
Physical inactivity is a factor in the detrimental impacts of the Internet that we cannot ignore. A complete education comprises both cerebral and physical growth, as everyone learn in school. Because of this, there is a pause between lectures so that students may unwind and exercise. Only the mental aspect is supported by the Internet. In this global system, teens and students cannot exercise. People who spend a lot of time online won’t have time to engage in physical activities like playing stores. Additionally, since the Internet has made everything accessible, less of these actions are required. Without visiting their schools, students may turn in their work. Teenagers may communicate with their buddies while still in bed.
9. Internet Addiction
The danger of an Internet addiction is equal to that of other addictions. This drawback has emerged and expanded unnoticedly over the world since the day of the Internet expansion. People who struggle with Internet addiction have the trait of appearing to be married to their own phones or laptops. They have their eyes glued to the screen whenever you see them. Online games or these social networking sites are quite appealing to students and youngsters.
According to a Stanford University report, 13.7% of respondents found it difficult to get away from the Internet for a few days at a time. According to a study from the University of Lowa, men are more prone to become addicted to the Internet. Many kids and teenagers use the Internet as a method to escape the actual world in addition to being drawn in by the aforementioned considerations. They are quite frightened by the strain of their parents’ expectations, academic demands, and even bullying. When they reside in a fictional world made up on the internet, they feel more at ease and secure. Internet addiction is a serious issue that affects people’s health as well as their way of life. The usage of the Internet and sadness are positively correlated, according to a March 12, 2010, research. Particularly, Internet addicts are more prone to experience depression than average persons. Hilarie Cash claims that an American psychologist advised that 8–10% of American kids develop Internet addiction. According to this figure, 2 million youths rely only on this system in the United States. Realizing these detrimental impacts of the Internet on schoolchildren and teens should scare everyone. If you’re interested in learning more about depression, a bad effect of the Internet.
10. Cheating
It is true that instructors face a variety of issues as a result of the Internet. For pupils who have access to sources of knowledge from around the globe, cheating is significantly simpler. They don’t have to put much effort into it because they can get the answers to all the assignments, which leads to a surge in academic fraud, plagiarism, and cheating. In an effort to identify plagiarized work, educators have recognized this issue and sought to address it by creating websites that can compare essays and research papers to published materials. However, there are still a number of uncontrollable ways that cheating may occur. Therefore, it will be more practical to prevent these harmful Internet impacts by altering the culture of cheating among students and increasing their awareness.
11. Moral Corruption
The last of the harmful impacts of the Internet is moral corruption. In addition to the many helpful and efficient things the Internet offers, there are certain things, such dark websites, that might cause moral corruption in youths or students. At this age, a young person’s personality and moral principles are still forming. Inappropriate information taken in can result in incorrect mental development. As a result, it is essential that adults like parents and instructors exercise control over the material that these youngsters have access to.
