Global chatter through the internet

11/04/2010

By Connor Purdy

Global chatter

One phenomenon of globalisation is the fact that we can be connected to people from all over the world instantly over social networking sites like Facebook. With over 400 million active users worldwide and a staggering 150,000 new people signing up every day, Facebook is the world's largest social networking site. You might wonder if you are one of the 200 million users who log on every day to find out what 'friends' have recently been doing. The obsession with going online is taking over the globe, particularly affecting young people. People in far away countries suddenly seem close to us in the virtual world. But there are negatives too...

How hooked are you?

Surfing the internet for long periods of time can be very dangerous and self-destructing, causing depression and social ineptness amongst teenagers. For a short time, Facebook can make people feel valued and boost their self-esteem, but after a while, it can become draining and can even lead to more serious problems such as cyber-bullying and even suicide, according to a senior policeman responsible for child protection online. The teenage star Miley Cyrus strongly states the internet is 'dangerous' and is urging fans to stay away from the internet because it's wasting their time and childhood.

Meaningful use of your time

You should consider asking yourself: when was the last conversation you've had on MSN Messenger or Facebook that you actually remember? Have you ever missed homework or felt apathetic after a session of 'Facebook stalking' which didn't contribute in any way to you life? Maybe you should start to consider your internet habits; what do you really live for? It is great to be in touch with people from all over the world almost all the time, but be careful you don't become too absorbed by the addictive world of the internet!