Introduction: “Cyberspace is now the playground of fools and psychopaths according to some people” (Suler, Psychology of the Digital Age.) In the early days, there was no cyberspace and people connect with others through personal relations, print, and written communications. Today, many people believe that cyberspace is a phenomenal approach to personal relationships because at the click of the mouse or by merely using their fingers, they can connect with their friends and love ones throughout the globe. Another thing is that they can say whatever they want in emails while they cannot say it directly in personal. However, other people believe that cyberspace does nothing to improve the personal relationships of many internet users. Instead of improving their communication, it isolates them. The aim of this paper is to explain to the readers about the affirmative effect of cyberspace to many people. Thesis: Does cyberspace isolate people instead of connecting them? Yes, cyberspace isolates people instead of connecting them.
Summary of the article “Psychology in Cyberspace” arguing against the thesis:
This article points out that the disadvantages of the Internet should not reach exaggeration. Although there is an impact of the Internet to a person’s lifestyle, the advantages cannot be overruled. On the issue of isolation, many people today look at their inclination to cyberspace as a hobby and a space that preserves their privacy. It is in the cyber world that they find their ultimate happiness and imagination of another world. The computer allows them to express what they want, and they feel that cyberspace has many opportunities to hone their skills and creativity. Some critics say that these people are deceiving themselves, but these users are quick to point out that cyberspace provide them with bulk of friendships and even romance (Suler, Psychology in Cyberspace).
Summary of the article “Cyberspace Isolates People more than it connects them” arguing in favor of the thesis:
While advanced technology brings many positive outcomes, the negative impact overwhelms them in terms of social isolation. According to the study by the Stanford Institution about this subject, 30 percent of the US population isolates themselves to social interaction because they spend less time with their family during their free time. The other 70 percent spends their time on resting or watching the television (Cyberspace Isolates People more than it connects them). The study reveals that focusing on the internet especially for the young ones is not only isolating them from the social circle, but also leading them to obesity when they sit in front of the screen for many hours. Today, quantity replaces the quality of communication among the people. This situation is alarming that could lead to sociological and psychological issues, such as anxiety and depression. When the people are afflicted with these deficiencies, further isolation from the society follows.
Summary of the article “Isolation Increases with Internet Use” arguing in favor of the thesis:
According to a national survey, 22 percent of the citizens who use the Internet for at least two years did not really get a long-term friend on the Internet (Scott, 2016). In essence, friendships are low quality because they do not deal with exchange of problems and truth in their well-being. Once a person becomes tired of what the other party is saying, he/she can easily block and delete that person. In a personal relationship, a person can still initiate reconciliation if he/she is willing to apologize, but in cyberspace, it is difficult to rekindle a lost relationship once a user withdraws from the site or blocks/deletes the other party. In this case, isolation from others exists without the chance to mend the broken tie.
Summary of the debate on “Does the Internet bring people closer together” arguing against the thesis:
In this debate, 61 percent of the participants are against the thesis of this paper. They argue that the Internet is a useful tool that enhances social networking among the users. It maintains social relations among the citizens of the nation from state to state and country to country. While it is not possible to make friends face-to-face to other states and countries, by merely getting in touch regularly with other people, the users can establish good relationships. For example, with Facebook alone, many people can easily communicate with their friends and love ones in seconds, unlike in the past where it takes several weeks to receive letters from them. Moreover, it is easy to create and establish friends on Facebook rather than introduce one’s self face to face with a stranger (Does the Internet bring people closer together).
Summary of the section on “Psychology of the Digital Age” in favor of the thesis.
According to this book, isolation from the public’s eye increases the chance of becoming a psychopath. Some psychologists claim that a number of users who stay in front of the screen for many hours aim to know about their true identity and express their emotions through the Internet. They find comfort on cyberspace in their attempt to solve the problematic aspects of their life. Many of them shift from one identify to another that becomes an exciting challenge.
They have two worlds and two personalities: how they express themselves online is not the way they express themselves face to face with a person (Suler, Psychology of the Digital Age).
Conclusion: Cyberspace isolates people rather than connect them, and when this scenario happens, it can have a psychological impact on a person’s behavior. This situation could even extend to problems, such as cyber bullying, fraud, identity theft, false identification, threat, and even murder. The best thing to do is to balance cyberspace and personal contact.
References
Cyberspace Isolates People more than it connects them. (2016). NorthBend Library. Retrieved from: http://www.northbendlibrary.com/cyberspace-
isolation-essay-expert-example-available-for-you.php
Does the Internet bring people closer together? (2016). Debate Org. Retrieved from: http://www.debate.org/opinions/does-the-internet-bring-people-closer-together
Scott, Sleek. (2016). Isolation Increases with Internet Use. Ashkelon Academic College.
Retrieved from: ash-college.ac.il//Isolation%20Increases%
Suler, John. (2015). The Psychology of Cyberspace. Retrieved from: http://truecenterpublishing.com/psycyber/psycyber.html
Suler, John. (Nov. 2015). Psychology of the Digital Age: Humans become Electric. Cambridge University Press. pp. 82-84.
