User:Jadennison/Internet Culture

Social Impact
The Internet is one of the most popular forms of communication today with millions of people using it every day. It has created a culture that many people are involved in which has lead to countless positive and negative impacts.

Positive Impacts
The creation of the Internet has impacted our society greatly, giving us the ability to communicate with others online, store information such as files and pictures, and help maintain our government. As the Internet progressed, digital and audio files could be created and shared on the Internet, it became one of the main sources of information, business, and entertainment, and it led to the creation of different social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat. Communicating with others has never been easier in our day in age allowing people to connect and interact with each other. The Internet helps us maintain our relationships with others by acting as a supplement to physical interactions with our friends and family. People are also able to make forums and talk about different topics with each other which can help form and build relationships. This gives people the ability to express their own views freely. Social groups created on the Internet have also been connected to improving and maintaining our health in general. Interacting with social groups online can help prevent and possibly treat depression. Overall, online communication with others gives people the sense that they are wanted and are welcomed into social groups.

Negative Impacts
With access to the Internet becoming easier for people, it has led to a substantial amount of disadvantages. Addiction is becoming a huge problem because the Internet is becoming more relied on for a variety of certain tasks such as communicating, commerce, and education. There are a range of different symptoms connected to addiction such as withdraw, anxiety, and mood swings. Addiction to social media is very prevalent with adolescents, but the interaction they have with one another can be detrimental for their health. Rude comments on posts can lower individuals self-esteem making them feel unworthy and may lead to depression. Social interaction online may substitute face-to-face interactions for some people instead of acting as a supplement. This can negatively impact people's social skills and cause one to have feelings of loneliness. People may also have the chance of being cyber bullied when using online applications. Cyber bullying may include harassment, video shaming, impersonating, and much more. A concept called cyber bullying theory is now being used to describe that children who use social networking more frequently are more likely to become victims of cyber bullying. Online interaction with others comes with an innumerable amount of disadvantages that can impact an individuals mental health negatively.