[Josy]

Has the internet ruined society?

I know the internet has many benefits but this threads not about that..

Is it ruining social lives with so many social media platforms and people now preferring to live their lives through them, do people even go out to cafes and bars just for a drink or a chat these days?

Do real life dates still happen rather than scrolling through tindr and dating websites etc

Discuss...

[Kazanne]

It has spoilt the art of conversation I think,and it has stopped people interacting as much,back in the day people used to go out and mingle,people still do but not as much as they should.

[armand.kay]

I don't know about others really so I'm just gonna talk about how I live my life. To me I've not really known any difference since because the internet has been around for most of my life. But I see my friends probably everyday. Like I have a TV here but I would rather go round my friends after dinner for a chat and tea or something.

We also go to the pub every few days and then a bar or club if we feel like it. In regards to dating I've been recently going on a few dates and I imagine the internet has helped massively because I would find it pretty hard to find other gay guys without going to a bar or something but I'm not really good at 1 to 1 chats over text so I normally meet a guy I'm interested in within a week.

[armand.kay]

I'm really confident on nights out I sometimes blag me and my friends into someones after party.

[LeatherTrumpet]

back then: finding bits of porn mags in bushes

now: tubekitty



winner: now

[Greg!]

The positives far outweigh the negatives with the internet, it allows you to stay in touch with friends/family that have moved away, you can contact people and make plans easily. I actually can't imagine living without my phone / the internet after growing up with them. It would be awful tbh!

[James]

I like the Internet, but I think a lot of social media is quite negative, although it has its uses like keeping in touch with friends and family etc.

[Alf]

It's still early days.

We had the printing press. Then we had Radio/Television. Now we have tinternet.

As Joe Cocker once said "Who knows what tomorrow brings"

[Jamie89]

Originally Posted by Josy

Has the internet ruined society?

I know the internet has many benefits but this threads not about that..

Is it ruining social lives with so many social media platforms and people now preferring to live their lives through them, do people even go out to cafes and bars just for a drink or a chat these days?

Do real life dates still happen rather than scrolling through tindr and dating websites etc

Discuss...

On the whole I'd say no. I think undoubtedly some people use the internet instead of going out, but I think for the most part, those are people who wouldn't have gone out much even if the internet didn't exist. Like before the internet, there would have been people staying in/not dating etc so the huge numbers of people on dating apps are probably mostly those people, and even if it's a case that some people have replaced going out with using the internet instead, I'd imagine that for every person like that there are probably other people who wouldn't have gone out anyway, and who the internet has provided opportunities for that otherwise wouldn't be available to them, so for those people it's hugely beneficial (I know you said it's not about the benefits but if we're talking about 'ruining' society I think we have to look at individual peoples happiness so that's a part of why I'd say no). And I think some people would much rather go out than use the internet and those people still do and that's something that's just part of some people's nature, so I don't think it'd be too affected by something material like the internet for those people. Basically, the people it would have the biggest impact on in terms of changing their behaviour are people who maybe went out before but felt it was more through necessity rather than wanting to go out, and if they're happier by not doing so then fair enough I think, it doesn't really affect others to a large degree and so I'd say it doesn't affect society in a bad way either. Noone has to choose one or the other, and whilst the internet probably does promote laziness, it doesn't cause it (I'm not sure if laziness is the right word to use but you know what I mean) so I don't think it can in itself be to blame if there are issues with some people not going out enough. I think if there were significant issues with people not going out relating to internet usage, then in the last 10 years or so we'd have seen local pubs, cafe's, coffee shops, all become a thing of the past but for the most part they're still thriving businesses.

[Northern Monkey]

I see no evidence of it.Pubs and Costa/Starbucks are always rammed.

[reece(:]

Internet has helped with dating as it opens up a wider network of people.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by reece(:

Internet has helped with dating as it opens up a wider network of people.

I sort of agree with that, because I find it weird that people can find their soulmate in just the area they live in. However, online dating also has massive downsides to it.

[Northern Monkey]

I remember when internet dating was new.It was kind of like an embarrassing thing.People who did it were seen as sad because they couldn't pull in real life.You didn't know what kind of weirdo you'd meet.If they needed to use the internet to pull then they must've been a munter or a bunny boiler
Totally different now though,Everyone's at it so you can meet normal people on there.If i was still young and single i'd be straight on there nowadays.

[Jian Yang]

Out of interest, how successful are dating sites? Can't say im all that eager to join any, just wondered if they're not just all about getting laid?

Anyway, as far as social media goes that doesn't appeal to me at all. Facebook, twitter, instagram, snap chat etc not for me. Forums, twitch, emails im all for. I think the internet improves society on the whole. Im the same on the internet as i am AFK.

[Vicky.]

Smart phones/social media and the likes have killed daily conversation I think. I went out with mates a few weeks back and most of them spent the whole time with their noses buried in their phones ignoring people. Its sad really. Apparently 40% of people or something check their phones first thing on a morning before even brushing their teeth.

I think overall with the internet the pros outweigh the cons though

[Jamie89]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Smart phones/social media and the likes have killed daily conversation I think. I went out with mates a few weeks back and most of them spent the whole time with their noses buried in their phones ignoring people. Its sad really. Apparently 40% of people or something check their phones first thing on a morning before even brushing their teeth.

I think overall with the internet the pros outweigh the cons though

My phone is also my alarm so it's unavoidable really

[jaxie]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Smart phones/social media and the likes have killed daily conversation I think. I went out with mates a few weeks back and most of them spent the whole time with their noses buried in their phones ignoring people. Its sad really. Apparently 40% of people or something check their phones first thing on a morning before even brushing their teeth.

I think overall with the internet the pros outweigh the cons though

This more or less what I was going to say. Almost the whole world are looking at their phone now, very few people engage with strangers or smile at each other these days. Even among groups of friends people seem absorbed by their individual phones.

[thesheriff443]

I don't think so, like using wots app to organise events like birthday parties, use the internet to make your life better.

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Smart phones/social media and the likes have killed daily conversation I think. I went out with mates a few weeks back and most of them spent the whole time with their noses buried in their phones ignoring people. Its sad really. Apparently 40% of people or something check their phones first thing on a morning before even brushing their teeth.

I think overall with the internet the pros outweigh the cons though

Yeah this is the kind of thing I see a lot.

Even in restaurants whilst eating dinner all you see is people on their phones, coffee shops and cafes etc are still full of customers but you can bet in every one there's at least a few people scrolling through their phones some using laptops etc.

[smudgie]

My brother met his 3rd wife on the Internet, lasted the longest of them all.
Rules in my house is if you are visiting then you only answer your phone in emergency, or say hi and bye I am busy.
No phones allowed at the table.
The Internet is wonderful though.
Personally it is a blessing for me as I can do all or most of my shopping online, keep in touch with friends and family far and wide and of course see what the wonderful world of TIBB are up to

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Josy

Yeah this is the kind of thing I see a lot.

Even in restaurants whilst eating dinner all you see is people on their phones, coffee shops and cafes etc are still full of customers but you can bet in every one there's at least a few people scrolling through their phones some using laptops etc.

Right now we have gavins 3 kids here. All of whom have brought their iphones and are currently ignoring everything around them. A few mins ago one of them sent a message to the other on whatsapp instead of just...talking to them?! They are in the same room ffs.

Honestly considering banning iphones from this house

[Josy]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Right now we have gavins 3 kids here. All of whom have brought their iphones and are currently ignoring everything around them. A few mins ago one of them sent a message to the other on whatsapp instead of just...talking to them?! They are in the same room ffs.

Honestly considering banning iphones from this house

Awww

Tbh I know some couples that actually do this too, or theres ones that have a conversation on fb when they are sat on the same sofa right next to each other

[bitontheslide]

i think the internet has an adverse effect on social interactions. Keyboard warriors hide in anonymity spouting bile and hatred that they would never be able to get away with face to face.

[Northern Monkey]

Originally Posted by Josy

Awww

Tbh I know some couples that actually do this too, or theres ones that have a conversation on fb when they are sat on the same sofa right next to each other

That is taking it too far with the internet

[Alf]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i think the internet has an adverse effect on social interactions. Keyboard warriors hide in anonymity spouting bile and hatred that they would never be able to get away with face to face.

But isn't that a good thing? It takes away the physical violence. It gives nerds the chance to mouth of to brute thugs without getting beat up.