Internet and Youth Development
The internet has brought great things into our lives and can significantly aid in youth development. It can help facilitate learning and make it easier for young people to connect with others to help develop their interpersonal skills. With the introduction of video chat and other messaging systems, young people can more easily connect with their friends, peers, and teachers.
Safe, healthy internet usage can also make it easier for young people to express themselves through creative endeavors like art and music. While it has brought a number of positive things into most people’s lives, it can lead to problems if it is not used in a healthy manner.
How the Internet Came to Be
The internet originated in the late 1960s with ARPANET, a project initiated by the U.S. Department of Defense. At that time, it was meant to be used solely by researchers and the military to share information and enable easier communication. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that the World Wide Web was invented with the first web browser, Mosaic. In the early 2000s, the major social media platforms emerged.1
Today, nearly 50% of American teenagers use the internet almost constantly.2 According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a staggering 97% of youth aged 3-18 have consistent internet access in their home.3
Importance of the Internet in Education
The internet has transformed education by allowing students to participate in interactive, collaborative learning, allowing them to interact with educators and peers instantly. It also enables personalized learning and allows students to get the additional support or tutoring they need at little or no cost.
The internet has also made it easier for educators to access tools for their curriculum. Oftentimes, it also allows teachers to engage their students more effectively by tailoring learning plans to students’ interests and strengths.
Effects of the Internet on Student Performance
The internet can have both positive and negative effects on student performance, mainly depending on how it is used.
Positive Effects
Times have changed regarding how students can accomplish their schoolwork and excel academically. Some of the positive effects of the internet include:
Access to Research
Numerous resources are available to students online. Students can easily access research, helpful tips, online tutorials, and other learning tools. This can save time that would otherwise be spent in the library or waiting for instructor guidance. This can also result in improved classroom grades and higher scores on standardized tests.
Greater Skill Set
Students, and youth in general, are often privy to a greater skill set via the internet. This can aid in the development of youth and adolescents, and help young internet users mature more quickly than they would without the internet.
Ease of Scheduling
One of the primary benefits of online learning is that students can study at their own pace. This allows them to complete their studies and schoolwork at times when they are most alert and ready to learn. The internet also enables them to learn remotely, allowing them to access their schoolwork from virtually anywhere.
Negative Effects
While the internet has made life easier for most students, there are some potential negative effects as well, including:
Distractions
Spending time on the internet, particularly on social media sites, can lead to wasted time. This can ultimately lead to decreased productivity, negatively impact schoolwork, and even hinder the development of critical thinking skills, which are instrumental for youth development. Excessive time spent online can also make it more difficult for young people to spend time in person with others their own age, which can further hinder their personal development.
Less Support
While some students feel more supported by having a plethora of online peers to consult with, others require the support that only face-to-face environments can provide. In fact, The World Economic Forum found that young students learn more effectively through guidance from an adult.4 Social isolation can also lead to limited social interactions going forward.
Less Effort
Internet-based learning has many potential benefits. However, it is important to stay focused and dedicate ample time to schoolwork. If insufficient time is spent on schoolwork or not enough effort is applied, students can fall behind and, ultimately, hinder their personal development.
Dangers of Internet Addiction
While “surfing the web” can be fun, it is important to avoid potential pitfalls, such as internet addiction. This has become a more serious problem in recent years as people have become more dependent on the internet for resources and social interaction. Internet addiction can range in severity but generally refers to when a person ignores other parts of life in favor of being online.
Internet addiction can encompass various forms, including online gaming addiction, social media addiction, or just using the internet more often than is deemed healthy. There are a variety of dangers associated with internet addiction, including problems at work and school, along with the following:
Mental Health Issues
Internet addiction can take a toll on a person’s mental health and well-being. When the line between the online world and reality becomes blurred, it can ultimately lead to depression, anxiety, mood swings, aggression, and low self-esteem. In young children, it can also affect cognitive development. Unhealthy internet usage can also lead to insomnia, which can worsen any existing mental health issues.
Physical Problems
Spending hours online can take a toll on the body. The most common physical effects most internet addicts suffer are body aches, carpal tunnel syndrome, and vision issues. The reduction in physical activity can worsen these issues.
Strained Relationships
When a person favors using the internet over spending time in their real-life relationships, it can lead to animosity and strained relationships. This can negatively impact social skills and hinder development in adolescents. Spending an exorbitant amount of time online can also lead to isolation, further damaging existing relationships.
How to Mitigate Internet Addiction
There are several strategies to mitigate internet addiction to ensure the problem doesn’t get any worse. In many cases, it is best to treat internet addiction the same as any other addiction, with a multifaceted treatment approach, which can include:
Set Time Limits
Setting time limits for internet usage can be helpful. There are a variety of applications available to automatically limit time spent online or track screen time, allowing users to better manage their usage. This allows for more time to develop healthy daily habits, which are essential for youth development. There are also applications available to block and filter what users interact with on the internet to make it a safer, healthier environment with fewer distractions.
Mindfulness Practices
Meditation, cognitive therapy, and family and group therapy have proven invaluable in helping to treat the symptoms of internet addiction. This provides the support and resources a person needs to aid in their recovery, particularly if their loved ones are patient and understanding. Oftentimes, internet addiction affects more than just the person involved, so family therapy can be beneficial for the entire family and all those affected.
A good first step can be online therapy, which can help avid internet users explore their thoughts regarding internet usage and what they deem acceptable. There are also a range of self-help books and workbooks available to provide strategies for managing internet use.
Medication
Oftentimes, when an individual suffers from internet addiction, they are experiencing other mental health conditions as well, such as depression, anxiety, or ADHD. Certain medications can treat all of these issues simultaneously. One such medication is naltrexone, which is frequently recommended for substance abuse and is commonly used to reduce the cravings associated with internet addiction as well.5
Professional Support
There are a variety of professional support groups available to further aid in treatment, such as the Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous.6 These groups are safe, anonymous, and can provide the support an internet addict needs. They can also tailor a personalized treatment plan to fit each person’s needs. There are also digital detox programs available to help internet addicts safely disconnect from the internet.
The Takeaways
Research has shown that the internet has provided positive effects on “adolescent brain development, cognitive development, social-emotional development, and mental health and well-being.”7 The internet is now accessible through more devices than ever, allowing people to feel more connected from anywhere around the world. As the internet continues to change and develop, it is important to find a balance and adopt healthy, positive practices to maximize the benefits of this valuable resource.
1 https://www.history.com/articles/invention-of-the-internet
2 https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/voices/lost-web-how-3g-internet-affects-student-achievement
3 https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cch/home-internet-access
4 https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/technology-in-education/
5 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10988534/