Social influence - Essay Example

Social Influence of Internet and Technology Introduction Internet and technology has brought with it many effects on every aspect of life. Consequently, internet has impact on the social life. These effects are not only on the teenagers but to adults as well. This paper will mainly focus on the positive and negative effects of internet to social life. It will also expound on the difference between the pre-internet era and internet era.Social influence of internet and technologyThe availability of personal computers with quite cheap prices, introduction of dependable internet services and the setting up of internet cafes has eased the accessibility of internet hence influencing the people’s connection to others in their social world.

People can still communicate with one another despite the distance or with no physical proximity through sending and receiving emails. In addition, the internet has made it possible to make rapid connections across long distances (Eskicumali, 2010).The impact of internet has also affected the large-scale socializing for example a concert, movie or sporting event. For example, through some websites like Ticketmaster and Fandango one can avoid the ticket line and buy tickets online rather than queuing for hours to get a concert or movie ticket, which offered opportunities to interact.

Another effect of internet is online gaming. Between 1970 and 1980 when the video games began, only one or two persons could play and were supposed to be in the same room (Martin, 2011).Another effect of internet is on teenagers who use the bulk of their time playing online games or dong things outside the realm of their homework. For instance, it is common for young girls using Facebook.com or other social sites to come across strangers who intend to harm them. In addition, the dating sites can ruin a man or woman’s relationship by getting into an affair.

Since there is uncontrolled, use of pornography among the male teenagers there is a serious conflict between him and their parents. In addition, pornography not only affects teenagers but it is evident that men who watch pornography regularly may endanger their relationship with their spouse or girlfriend (Suttle, 2011).Before the internet days, one could only communicate with his/her relatives and friends through writing and mailing correspondence. However, this has changed drastically in the 1990s when internet came up and communication can be done easily through social networks like twitter, MySpace and face book.

Additionally, these websites and others have saved one from touring the post office since it is possible to send emails, pictures and videos. Although the social network has an effect on social lives by bringing people closer, it has not as close as other Internet social tools (Martin, 2011).Although it is evident that internet helps communicate with people who are a distance away it can also impede social interactions. Since some people spend a lot of time in front of the computers and they can drift away from family and friends whom they can relate with in person.

Consequently, some people prefer to send an email or text than speak directly to the other person or visit him in his home. In addition, instead of watching television with a group of family or friends together they prefer to watch television shows and movies streaming through the Internet (Turtenwald, 2011).Conclusion It is evident that since the establishment of internet in the 1990s, there has also been accompanying changes in the social lives. Internet has both positive and negative effects on the social lives.

Among the positive effects is to ease communication with people who are distance away. On the other hand, the negative effects include destroying the relationships with people around you in case one spends a lot of time in front of the computer. Therefore, it is evident that internet is unavoidable in the modern world.ReferencesEskicumali, A. (2010). The Effects of Internet Cafes on Social Change in Turkey: The Case of Hendek. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 9, 2, 196-204. Martin, L. (2011). How Has the Internet Impacted Our Social Lives?

Retrieved from Suttle, R. (2011). Internets Impact on Families & Couples. Retrieved from Turtenwald, K. (2011). Effects of the Internet on Human Culture. Retrieved from