Most people today prefer to socialize online rather than spending time with their friends in the local community. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
It is irrefutable that an increasing number of people today like to chat and make friends online instead of socializing with their friends and neighbors in person. Although there are certain advantages of this trend, I believe the drawbacks certainly outweigh the benefits.
The main advantage of people spending time on social networking sites is that it helps them to keep in contact with a lot more people than they could in person. It is easy to maintain contacts, keep links with friends from high school and college even if they are living miles away. Moreover, socializing online helps to form friendships with people with similar likes and dislikes. For example, if a person likes knitting, playing chess, reading books or discussing politics, he or she can chat or discuss them online. People are not limited to interests based on their location.
Despite these benefits of online networking and socializing, I believe it far more detrimental for individuals and society. Firstly, it has impacted the quality of friendship. People have many friends online, but the number of friends people can rely upon in case of adversities has fallen. This is because social networking has reduced the emotional connection, the thoughtfulness that develops when people actually spend time with each other. Secondly, the preference for spending time online has also adversely affected people’s health. Earlier people used to go out and spend time with friends doing outdoor activities, visiting malls and so on. All of these entailed some walking or physical exercise.
Finally, I believe the biggest impact of social networking has been the increase in cyberbullying and online harassment. It is easier for people to be rude on the internet as they can hide behind the anonymity that the Internet offers. In a sense, social networking sites have given people the license to be hurtful as there are no apparent consequences of being hurtful or bashful on the internet.
To conclude, although socializing online rather than spending time with friends and neighbors in person has certain benefits, I consider it to be negative development overall.
Plan followed
Intro: Disadvantages are more
Para 1: Advantages
Para 2: Disadvantages
Para 3: Disadvantages
Conclusion: Reiterate opinion
Written by: Indroop Singh Makkar
