Hi everyone! Welcome to the meeting of the minds that is The Lounge! Grab a drink, make yourself comfortable and get ready to share some stories! This week the prompt is ‘Things the Internet has taught me’. If you haven’t written a post yet and still want to join in then please feel free as we have the link open for a few days!
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I’ve been accessing the internet for nearly 20 years and I have learned a lot of things over the years. Social media was only just starting to be appealing to teenagers when I was in highschool and I am so thankful. I could often be found skulking around forums dedicated for people with mental health issues and the worst I had to deal with was the occasional troll who would come in and spew hate at the ‘crazies’. They were often dealt with pretty swiftly though.
I learned (and so did my parents..sorry!) that listening to emo music on internet radio for hours on end every night will make your parents go over the internet allowance, and they will be pissed at you because they now have a ridiculously massive telephone bill (I am so glad that have now introduced no extra fee internet!).
I learned that a kid in year 9 can create a virus that will wipe out half the town’s computers, including businesses and it will be one of the times that I was glad I wasn’t msn friends with the popular kids.
I learned that if someone tells you to google something and then laughs…NEVER EVER GOOGLE IT EVER because what has been seen cannot be unseen.
I have learned to bide my time until investing my all into another person online. I have a tendency to blurt stuff out and then I chastise myself for letting so much of myself out. I find it easy to get caught up in what others are doing. I have learned to take a step back when I need to.
I have learned that the internet can be a lonely place sometimes. That it can feel like everyone else is doing stuff, while you are being left behind. It’s these times when again I need to take a step back and take stock of the things that I do have.
I have met some of the most wonderful, supportive people online. Many who I am happy to include in my circle of friends in my day to day life. The internet has allowed me to engage with people all over the world who have similar philosophies. I have been able to connect with people who challenge my way of thinking, who can educate in a way that leaves you hungry for more.
I have learned that the internet is forever, it doesn’t forget. For this I am worried about the world that Mr 5 is growing up into. A world where everyone is a google search away, that things they do as a stupid teenager could come back to bite them in the arse when they go for that dream job. I worry about the mental health of our future generations. I worry that the anxieties of growing up in a technological world where no one is ever switched off.
Most of all I have learned that the internet is about what you make it, just like anything else in life. If you choose to only seek out the negative, then that is what you will find, if you don’t reach out, then you will always feel lonely. The internet is massive, there will always be room for you.
What has the internet taught you?
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The constant connectedness with others online causes problems with those you are actually present with. I think the real life communication decreases as the online communication increases. Next time you go to a restaurant or café, look at couples on their phones, instead of talking to each other. It’sa worry…
It’s like being alone in a crowded room sometimes- the Internet can be amazing- absolutely wonderful- but there’s still a lot to be said for unplugging for a while 🙂
I have learnt that the internet can be both friend and foe. And that at the same time that you share much of your life with it, you need to hold other things close. Great post. The virus! GAH!
I’m totally with you on worrying about our kids and the internet, not only what may come back to bite them but that I hope it doesn’t take away socialising as we know it. I too have met so many wonderful people through the internet/blogging, some I’ve been lucky enough to meet in person and others that I haven’t yet I still feel like I know them so well. And the internet has pretty much taught me what I know now in regards to blogging and social media, since the internet was introduced to me all those years ago, I’ve pretty much been hooked.
It has it’s good and bad side, like everything. It can either make you feel connected with others or very lonely, as you said. You are right when you say it’s what you make of it, just like everything. I find that for somebody like me who is very introverted it can be addictive so I do need to force myself to go and be around people sometimes. Great post. xo
God I love the internet! But when you say it’s been around for 20 years I feel so old!