On-line Communication and Relationships

How the internet affects relationships and communication has been such a big issue these past years. I am among millions of people who use it, so it's weird to think that all these millions of people could be potential isolated and/or addicted users. The CNN article discussing the problems caused by IM is worrisome, but the correlation between mental illness and IM is still such a gray area. I would think IM would be a contributing cause to mental illnesses but not the only cause. People who are depressed would most likely feel unable to reach out to anyone, even if they are online. If they did, perhaps it would even help them.

Moving from the grim side of IM, I found the other articles concerning its growing potential interesting. Online communication offers many possibilities, as seen in the "Rock Goes the Vote" article and Stanford Daily article on ITSS's use of IM. Instant messaging can reach so many people around the world at lower cost than telephone (or so it seems to me...). The use of IM to encourage teens to vote was very interesting. It is a good strategy to reach this technologically crazed generation. I am a part of this craze because enjoy AIM. But sometimes I think I am a little too much into it, I suppose. From writing witty or silly away messages to setting up my profile, I could waste a lot of time on aim. I talk with friends and family or even find myself browsing through away messages as I do work. I wouldn’t say I am addicted, but I can see where it can get in the way of relationships. Why must I walk down the hall to see a friend when there’s AIM?

Overall, IM must be used with caution. Like with most things, if used wrongly, IM can be dangerous for some. For others, it’s just another means of finding out what friend’s are doing or procrastination. It will definitely be interesting to see what the next big communication jump will be after IM.