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The Effects and Causes of Adolescents Socially Interacting Via the Internet
It would be difficult to imagine the world without the Internet. ... The popularity of the Internet has grown especially rapidly in America’s youth. In fact, in December of 2002, the Federal Bureau of Census submitted a report of Internet usage in the United States, concentrating on specific age groups. ... 2 % of all Americans age nine to seventeen years old were regularly using the Internet; in 2001, it was then reported that 68. ... Additionally, this age group makes up the largest percentage of all Internet users (U. ... If so many adolescents are participating in this phenomenon, then it clearly must have a psychological significance. ... During adolescence, according to Erik Erikson’s theory, it is detrimental that adolescents form a strong sense of identity. ... In short, peers are necessary to provide adolescents with a feeling of normality, uniqueness, and intimacy (information discussed in class). Today, adolescents have one more unique outlet to form relationships beyond school or other extracurricular activities. This outlet is the Internet.
The Internet has provided infinite resources to adolescents, providing pathways for research, communication, and entertainment. ... Over the past few years, due to heightened internet usage among adolescents, a concern has arisen that this new-found pastime has in fact affected the over-all psychological health of the participating adolescents (Lloyd, 2002). The main issue at hand is that adolescents might be socially isolating themselves from their peers by engaging in activities such as forming relationships online, instead of focusing on developing and nurturing friendships in a real, non-virtual social setting (Sanders, 2000).
Approximate Word count = 1286
Approximate Pages = 5.1
(250 words per page double spaced)
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