Living in a Digital World
For most people around the world, living in the digital world has become a norm. The term “digital society” refers to a society that relies on digital technology for communication, commerce, entertainment, and many other aspects of daily life. Therefore, the Internet has changed how we communicate, work, socialize, learn, and obtain information. Sometimes when we want to obtain information, we only need to click on a button to access a large amount of knowledge on any imaginable topic, enabling people from all walks of life to learn a variety of different subject matter. The Internet also makes it easier for people to establish connections with others, as when international students who are far away from home miss their families, they can easily have conversations through video chat platforms. However, although living in the digital world has brought many benefits to our lives, we must also consider the negative impact of the Internet.
Faced with the negative impact of the digital world, adults have the ability to distinguish right from wrong and distinguish between good and bad. However, for teenagers who are still growing psychologically and physically, there are many hidden dangers in the use of the internet. According to the report released by China Internet Network Information Center in July 2021, 62.5% of minors use online games; that is, two out of every three minors are playing games in a draw. Regarding online gaming duration, the proportion of minors playing games for more than two hours on weekdays is 13.2%, and the proportion of playing games for more than two hours on holidays is even higher at 23.8%.
Obviously, online games can be addictive. Indulging in online games during school hours may affect academic performance. Although the internet can become a useful tool for research and learning, it can also distract attention. For example, when students complete homework that parents are not familiar with, parents may require their children to search for answers online, but often those with poor control use this as an excuse to deceive parents. Using searching for learning materials online as an excuse to play online games. This will directly lead to a decrease in students’ enthusiasm for learning and a lack of interest in education. During the exam, you may choose to violate regulations by bringing your phone into the exam room and using the internet to access answers to cheat. Over time, not only will it endanger future career prospects, but integrity will also be affected, making it difficult to establish correct values.
Digital life has brought people closer, but it has also made some teenagers increasingly isolated, which has a negative impact on interpersonal relationships. Teenagers may spend hours interacting with friends in the virtual world and overlook their close family and friends. This can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and a lack of meaningful interpersonal relationships. In addition, teenagers’ dependence on digital communication can lead to poor communication skills, making it difficult for them to effectively interact face-to-face with others.
Moreover, teenagers’ psychology is still in its developmental stage and may be more susceptible to the negative emotions of others.From this, it can be seen that the internet is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can provide a sense of support for teenagers, especially for those who may feel isolated or marginalized in real life. However, on the other hand, the internet may also expose teenagers to online bullying and provocation. These negative experiences can cause psychological trauma and may have long-term effects on the mental health of adolescents, including anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
Nowadays, the widespread use of social media has also led some businesses to find business opportunities. They use social media such as YouTube and Instagram to find followers or bloggers to promote their products and create trends, although some products are not suitable. However, some businesses exploit the herd mentality of teenagers and promote it extensively. For teenagers, it is difficult to rationally control their purchasing behaviour, and they will not measure whether their consumption value matches costs like experienced adults. However, the pursuit of novelty and uniqueness is not just for teenagers but for adults. Their consumption is often more rational. So when faced with beautiful and exciting products, teenagers may blindly pursue uniqueness and trends, which may lead to impulsive or irrational overdrafts.
Finally, the Internet can have a significant impact on the privacy and security of adolescents. Many teenagers are not aware of the potential danger of sharing personal information online, and they may be easily tracked, scammed, or other forms of exploitation. They may also be exposed to inappropriate content, such as pornography or violent images, which may have a negative impact on their emotional health and development.
In short, the internet has both positive and negative impacts on teenagers. From the release of the “Safer Children in aDigital World” report by former British Prime Minister Brown in 2007, to the diagnosis of a four-year-old girl in the UK as an iPad addict in 2013, and to the recent launch of a new education technology plan by the UK government in 2019. Both parents and the government are aware of these negative impacts and take measures. However, some parents may urge their children to ban all internet use in order to achieve success. However, nowadays, children are born in the digital age, and electronic products are like their organs, naturally developing in their daily lives. For children, completely isolating themselves from the internet will only derail them from modern life. So, the best way to help children become digital citizens in the 21st century is through positive response, harmonious coexistence, and futuristic technology education.
Reflection
This course has been an impressive experience for me, which has given me a deep understanding of the network society. As someone who has always been interested in technology and its impact on society, as well as deeply influenced by the Internet, this course has given me a deeper understanding of how the digital world shapes our lives. I have started to learn to think critically about the impact of the digital age on my daily life and that of people of different ages. Before I came into contact with this course, I didn’t expect to think critically about things. Although I want to, I don’t know from which direction to understand. However, studying this course is a great way. For example, through this course, I understand that effectively managing the digital environment is a crucial skill and how to use artificial intelligence correctly to avoid negative impacts on internet user data security and ethics.These new knowledge points have taught me how to think about how to avoid the drawbacks of artificial intelligence while using it correctly. I began to think critically about how to face the Internet correctly.
At the same time, this course also brought me some challenges. For example, where should I start in the face of the enormous scale and complexity of the digital world? In the beginning, I was a bit intimidated. From the Internet to social media, there are many things that need to be understood and explored. But at the same time, it also taught me a unique writing mode. Through every blog writing and detailed feedback provided by the reference teacher, I made great progress, learning blog publishing style and how to cite images correctly. And I understand that I cannot casually quote pictures from others in my own article. In addition, through the course, I understand how to use network effectiveness to improve my life and work level.
As a financial economics student, I try to integrate this course because I think it is important to understand how the digital world is changing these fields. I started searching for topics about technology in the financial world on my own. Moreover, after studying this course, I became interested in the social media industry. By completing informal writing training such as blogging, I have learned a new skill that is crucial for my future career.
Overall, I feel that attending this course has given me a deeper understanding of the digital world and its impact on society. It also helped me to improve the skills that are critical to my future career, such as digital society and critical thinking. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in this course, and I look forward to applying the experiences and lessons learned to my future efforts.
