The Negative Effects Of Internet Communication

The issue of how information technology impacts people’s lives has become widely discussed during recent decades. Social networks have evolved as the center of the modern Internet and have turned to the one of the most powerful tools of communication. Today, no one will refuse to acknowledge the enormous benefits of social media. First, social networks allow communicating at a distance, since it is a fastest way to find the right person and provide him with the necessary information anytime and anywhere. Second plus is an excellent opportunity to search for the like-minded people with the same interests. Moreover, people actively use the social network for business, as Internet provides limitless working possibilities. But in the same time, there is an adverse opinion that the modern man displaces the real communication with virtual one and loses the ability to maintain face to face conversation. Also, the failure to adapt to environmental conditions and the social isolation are considered as potential drawbacks of the social

While most of the studies conducted decades ago reveal the results of negative influence of Internet communication on people, many current reports show positive information. Thus, report conducted in late 90s by Robert Kraut, declares, “that the Internet diminishes people 's social network” (Franzen 435). But later, Axel Franzen opposes Kraut’s findings, “Neither the amount of time people have used the Internet nor the time they usually spent in a week using the Internet reduces the time they socialize” (434). According to the study, Internet social media significantly benefits and expands social circles; moreover, “depriving Internet users of the communicative channel would lead to a decrease in network size over time” (Franzen