Joanne Chan Huey Ying (J3 Canberra)

Ever since the Internet has become commonplace in society, its effects on us have been hotly debated. It is hard to overstate the impact of the Internet on the world, particularly on teenagers, who were born into this age of information, and are the most affected by it. With the Internet, they manage to access vast amounts of information, communicate with people without a distance limit, and suffer from Internet addiction.

Nowadays, the topic boils down to several points, one of which is: the Internet has given current teenagers access to information that would be considered almost impossible to access in the past. Online libraries and sites have archived massive amounts of information, accessible with the tap of a finger. This can be a double edged blade, as some teenagers will visit sites they are not supposed to, while some will learn effectively on the Internet.

The Internet has also enabled teenagers to communicate with people across huge distances. Some may stay up late to talk with their siblings or friends overseas, which in turn affects their sleep schedule. There are also the gullible ones, who trust strangers easily. We have heard dozens of cases of teenagers who put their trust in a stranger’s hands and suffer the consequences of it every day, so we should be on high alert when surfing the Internet.

Internet addiction is also something that many parents worry about. Undeniably, the Internet serves as a treasure trove of information and a hub of communication. As a result, teenagers can easily spend hours before the computer, enraptured by all sorts of stimuli. This leads to a concerning amount of sedentary time that affects various aspects of their health. For instance, the rate of myopia worldwide has grown steadily, likely the effects of staring at a bright screen for too long.

The invention of the Internet has had a profound effect on us all, especially teenagers, for good or for bad. We must learn to use the resources at our disposal well, or it will lead to utter ruin.