The internet. They say that’s all us millennials and gen z babies waste our time on yet we need it for most things in our daily life. The internet can be a blessing and a curse for anybody who uses it and although my statement may seem untrue to some, this is a conversation worth having.
When it comes to the internet and media you only see what’s shown to you, whether that be good or bad. What’s not shown is the chokehold the media has over society as we’ve become so dependent on it.
I can’t describe how many times I’ve been so desperate to check social media that I’ve pulled my phone out in the middle of class or during a conversation just to see what was happening in the world.
Have you ever stopped to wonder how many people do that every single day? I’m sure the number wouldn’t be surprising.
On January 27, 2022 here on the Neumann University campus the wi-fi went out in all buildings for 24 hours. That situation resulted in majority of the students living on campus, myself included having to take notice of what life would be like without the internet in its entirety.
What’s more shocking is that I wasn’t worried about missing school assignments as much as I was worried about not being able to scroll through Instagram or watch funny videos on Tik Tok. My first thoughts immediately centered around what I wanted instead of what I needed.
I remember being the most bored I had ever been and taking a nap just to pass the time. Waking up to see that the wi-fi still wasn’t working felt like the world had stopped, like the virtual goggles had been taken off. Media is amazing and the use of media can be amazing when it’s used in right kind of manner.
There is such a negative side to the internet that gets talked about but is never fully dived into. It creates friendship, opportunity, and change but it also blurs the fine line between the question what’s real and what’s not real?
The internet has been here for so long that I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t using the internet for something whether it was for educational purposes or personal interests. The internet consumes us. It has become a part of who we are as a generation and that won’t change.
However, how we choose to let the internet control and affect us can but that decision is up to us and where we stand on the matter. If you asked the average person do they think the internet consumes our lives not just too much, but also in a toxic manner what do think they would say?
In conclusion, yes the internet is part of our norm and yes it’s an amazing addition to everyday life but I think people forget that it’s also a privilege.
What do you think? Is the internet a friend, foe, or frenemy? Do you agree with any of the previous statements? Let us know!!