Myths about the Internet

Myth number one: All the information available on the Internet can be found in other sources too. Sure, it’s possible. But just imagine how much time, effort, and nerves it would take to do so. Technology has advanced rapidly, but human factors will remain the same for at least the next thousand years. For example, you might not be allowed to attend a certain event, or the person who holds the information you need might be on vacation or too busy. Moreover, the media may not cover the topics that interest and concern you in a timely manner.

Myth number two: Most Internet users have unstable mental health. Well, such people do exist. The Internet provides them with a way to communicate without facing the constraints of society and its moral norms. But not everyone is like that! Believe us, the majority of Internet users are ordinary, normal people who use it for work or entertainment—playing online games, chatting with friends, etc. The main advantage of the Internet in this regard is its almost unlimited possibilities. For example, communicating with friends in Australia through the Internet is much cheaper and faster than by phone.

Myth number three: People escape reality by using the Internet. It seems that some of people’s interests shift from everyday life to virtual communication; the emergence of new topics, terms, and jargon creates an impression of a “parallel existence.” However, in most cases, this situation stabilizes over time. Simply put, spending all your time in front of a monitor becomes boring after a while.

Myth number four: Internet communication is only for lonely people. Do you have a “Vkontakte” account? Did you create it because you feel lonely? Or do you just want to keep up with what your friends and acquaintances are doing? If the latter, then yes, this is a myth. On the other hand, the Internet can indeed help lonely people. For those who don’t suffer from severe social loneliness, it can provide a rare variety of social interactions that are hardly possible in real life.

Myth number five: Using the Internet is harmful to health. Indeed, there is a high risk of this happening. But again, it all depends on how much time you spend in front of a computer. If someone spends days playing games or watching movies, then what does the Internet have to do with it? It’s entirely up to the individual. Even computer manufacturers warn users about the need to maintain proper hygiene when using their devices.

The Internet is a creation of humans. And only humans can decide how to use this tool they have created.