Urbanhog
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2003
- Messages
- 2,081
Taliana, CLICK HERE! 
Does the Internet stunt social growth?
- Thread starter haste
- Start date
Pseudo G
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2002
- Messages
- 1,128
Quote "God bless the internet" - Paul Finch, American Pie
That being said, I don't believe the internet has adversly affected my ability to interact with other people on a social level in person. They've always hated me, but now I understand why they hate me. They're just jealous cause I'm a l33t.
That being said, I don't believe the internet has adversly affected my ability to interact with other people on a social level in person. They've always hated me, but now I understand why they hate me. They're just jealous cause I'm a l33t.
Raz
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2002
- Messages
- 7,330
OMG I am SO retarded....
I seriously read ALL of the first page and I was like "Who are these people I've never heard of? Why are all these bluelighters from like 3 years ago coming out of the woodwork NOW for this thread? What kind of strange hold does haste have on these people???" Then I noticed the date the thread was started. Hrrm. Well, the doctors did tell my mum I'd be a genius or retarded, I guess we know which way that went....
To answer the question though.....I think the net is a valid social tool; I think it's possible for it to go either way though. For me it's been a valid tool in finding people who share my views and in short, making new friends and finding a niche where I feel I fit in more often than not.
I do know people though who have no social life outside of the internet...literally. Who talk of net conversations and refer to friends they're never going to meet face-to-face because it's all too confronting. That's sad, but what can you do really, it's also inevitable given what the internet is.
I don't think the internet as a communications medium is socially confining, but I think its nature lends to social confinement.
I seriously read ALL of the first page and I was like "Who are these people I've never heard of? Why are all these bluelighters from like 3 years ago coming out of the woodwork NOW for this thread? What kind of strange hold does haste have on these people???" Then I noticed the date the thread was started. Hrrm. Well, the doctors did tell my mum I'd be a genius or retarded, I guess we know which way that went....
To answer the question though.....I think the net is a valid social tool; I think it's possible for it to go either way though. For me it's been a valid tool in finding people who share my views and in short, making new friends and finding a niche where I feel I fit in more often than not.
I do know people though who have no social life outside of the internet...literally. Who talk of net conversations and refer to friends they're never going to meet face-to-face because it's all too confronting. That's sad, but what can you do really, it's also inevitable given what the internet is.
I don't think the internet as a communications medium is socially confining, but I think its nature lends to social confinement.
The Earth Method
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2003
- Messages
- 88
I for 1 was a complete nerdlinger back in the day, and to be honest i learnt 90% of my social skills through the internet.
But yeah i think the best part of the net is your communicating with a persons brain more then a person because you dont see them and no body language ect; i think its great practice for real socialising.
But yeah i think the best part of the net is your communicating with a persons brain more then a person because you dont see them and no body language ect; i think its great practice for real socialising.
Whire Rabbit
Ex-Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2001
- Messages
- 607
It doesn't stunt social grows, it changes means of social interaction.
onetwothreefour
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2002
- Messages
- 14,382
yes. no. who knows?
really, i think it depends on the kind of person you already are. for me, my social growth has been strengthened due to the internet - my social skills are fairly non-existent in a general sense (believe it or not i'm very shy, and have big self-esteem issues), but the internet allows you to establish a basis for friendship, and get past those awkward and uncomfortable -for me- opening moments/weeks/months of a relationship.
basically, the internet allows me to make a good (sometimes
) first impression and then you're stuck in my web of deceit and trickery
ahem, anyway.
my point is, for people like myself, the internet can be helpful - i'm not so lacking in social skills that i can't develop anything but 'internet friends' (which imo, *would* be unhealthy), but enough so that the internet helps to expand my friendship groups, and explore new social experiences.
for others, the opposite could occur - for the real social outcasts amongst us, then i would presume that being locked up inside all day, with other 'net geeks as your only 'friends' could not be too healthy.
some good, some bad
really, i think it depends on the kind of person you already are. for me, my social growth has been strengthened due to the internet - my social skills are fairly non-existent in a general sense (believe it or not i'm very shy, and have big self-esteem issues), but the internet allows you to establish a basis for friendship, and get past those awkward and uncomfortable -for me- opening moments/weeks/months of a relationship.
basically, the internet allows me to make a good (sometimes
) first impression and then you're stuck in my web of deceit and trickery ahem, anyway.
my point is, for people like myself, the internet can be helpful - i'm not so lacking in social skills that i can't develop anything but 'internet friends' (which imo, *would* be unhealthy), but enough so that the internet helps to expand my friendship groups, and explore new social experiences.
for others, the opposite could occur - for the real social outcasts amongst us, then i would presume that being locked up inside all day, with other 'net geeks as your only 'friends' could not be too healthy.
some good, some bad
depth and soul
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2004
- Messages
- 73
I have noticed that over the last several months, particularly, I have transformed into an anti-social twat!
But, oh man, I have met MANY people online and I'm now "great" friends with some of them!
But, oh man, I have met MANY people online and I'm now "great" friends with some of them!
shal
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2000
- Messages
- 3,928
I remember back in high school when I started on the Internet it took over my life for awhile. Now it's like Meh! Boring! but I'd agree that I've met some pretty nice people from the net, including some Bluelighters and have quite a lot of good friends from online!
shal :D
Let's be friends, Yes Lets!
shal :D
Let's be friends, Yes Lets!
haste
Bluelight Crew
- Joined
- May 21, 2000
- Messages
- 7,641
^^ I'm in a similiar postiion at the moment where the net has lost interest for me - apart from downloading fansubs and bluelight, I really have no other use for it. Werid for something that has played an integral part in my life for the past few years.