Question

Which of the following are considered “curses” of the Internet in terms of interpersonal relationships? (check all that apply)

1. The Internet gives ways to both meet and exploit human needs.

2. The Internet is a barrier to open communication.

3. Online communication magnifies the barriers of time and cost in relationships.

4. Two opposing forces, cocooners and connectors, are at play.

5. It eats away time from connecting to those who are physically nearby.

Please Note: The following phrases are hints from THE COMMUNICATION AGE, CONNECTING & ENGAGING 2 of a Communication book published in 2016 by SAGE Publications Inc.

"Many of the survey takers who also pointed out that the Internet is both a blessing and a curse to relationships. Consider the following opinions:

* The Internet gives new ways to meet --- and exploit --- human needs.

* Two opposing forces are at play: Cocooning and Connecting. Cocooners only talk to their in-groups and get little exposure to the outside world. Connectors listen widely and are heard widely.

* The Internet presents a paradox for relationships. It strengthens our relationships with distant friends and relations, but may eat away time from our relationships with the people right next to us."

Answer 1

In today's age of convenience, life without internet is unimaginable. The Internet has made life easy, but it has its costs and curses, as well. The Internet gives ways to both meet and exploits human needs. If the internet is solving the problem of removing the barriers in open communication, making it time and cost-effective, it also has side effects in terms of overindulgence in communication, miscommunication and communication of unhealthy and negative materials, thoughts and ideas.

As far as interpersonal relationships are concerned, the internet is both strengthening and weakening social tie-ups. Earlier, it was extremely difficult and expensive to connect to people at a global level, for any kind of purpose. People were, therefore, more restricted to the ones they used to meet physically. Even communicating with those who were once physically close, would become difficult, once they withdrew from the immediate setting. Internet, therefore, has helped in better connecting to our loved ones in any part of the world.

But it is also important to note that internet has facilitated stronger internet bonds, due to the mere charm of using the internet, as one's peers, or stay tuned to the internet-driven world and due to easy availability of materials on the internet. This is the reason why those physically nearby are neglected. So, the internet acts as a curse, connecting a person to distant friends and relations and neglecting those right next to us. It has given rise to two undesirable kinds of individuals, namely cocoons and connectors. Cocoons only talk to their in-groups and get little exposure to the outside world. Connectors listen widely and are heard widely. Both these kinds of individuals lack the essential quality of the other, in terms of connecting with people.

So, all that apply to“curses” of the internet in terms of interpersonal relationships are options 1, 4 and 5. These three options relate to the fact that internet acts as a medicine in curing communication-related problems, but these medicines have their respective side effects, as well.