It’s Difficult #2: Seeing The Problem

(This is a follow up post. You can read the first part here to get the gist of the story)

I didn’t think I had a problem. Although it was something that had crossed my mind in the past, I had always dismissed it as I wasn’t one of those people.

I do use the internet a lot within my daily life and since coming to university it has been my main source of entertainment as well as helping me with my course. I was aware of how much I used it, but I’d always assumed that I’d be able to get along okay if I didn’t have it.

Yet now I was struggling to even make it a couple of hours without going online. And I wasn’t the only one.

From checking social media when we first wake up to watching YouTube instead of TV, social media and being online has become an integral part of our daily routines. Especially for those of us who grew up with the internet and have gotten so used to it being around.

Not only is it a routine, but it’s become a habit too.

How many times do you check your phone without even knowing what you’re looking for? If you’re anything like me it’s a constant thing.

Now, contrary to the title, I don’t want to get all negative on this topic. The internet (and social media of course) is a brilliant thing. You wouldn’t even be able to read this if we didn’t have it.

But it’s the way it influences our lives that can be a bit worrying and this whole challenge has shown me that. Even though I had thought about it in the past, my failure here has proven that I do probably rely too much on the internet and that I might benefit from putting my phone down and doing something else, every now and again, instead.

Which is a pretty obvious thing to discover, I’m aware.

As I said though, I don’t want to be negative about the whole thing. (I feel like the internet gets enough grief as it is, the poor thing). This challenge did show me how the internet benefits my life, in both a social and educational sense. And although I may rely on it too much, I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.

I mean, why shouldn’t we use this fabulous tool if we have access to it?

And I think that’s the best way to view it. The internet is a tool that benefits us and although conversations like this, regarding our use and reliance on it, are important to have because problems will still arise, I don’t think we should get too caught up in the fear that comes with it.

(Read the third part here)

This post is a part of a university assignment I was set. It will be a three part post regarding the internet, social media and other people’s views. Normal service will continue on this blog throughout these posts. Cheers for you patience and stick around for regular posts.

Speak soon,

Rachael.