Disadvantages Of Internet Communication – Creating Barriers Of Its Own

Disadvantages of Internet communication can in no way surpass its advantages. Internet, the most powerful communication tool, has broken all geographical barriers. At the same time it has created barriers of its own. In one way, it has overcome geographical boundaries by enabling instant and convenient way to exchange messages between friends, family and business associates. On the other hand we have the bane of open communication; spams, junk mail, pop-up ads and the lot.

This most powrful tool of communication has actually changed the way we used to communicate. One disadvantage of Internet communication is its facelessness. Internet has caused decrease in face-to-face communication. This is very unlike the face-to-face interaction of the pre-internet era. We are increasingly communicating with unknown persons with whom there is no face-to-face discussion and confrontation. We, in all honesty, cannot ascertain the identity of the person at the other end.

Negative Effects

People spend so much time on the Internet that there is decrease in family communication as well as reduced ties with friends and acquaintances.

The advocates of the disadvantages of Internet communication believe that it has taken away the ability to resolve human conflicts. Resolving conflicts is part of the human makeup. It may not be possible to conclude whether excessive Internet communication is psychologically healthy or not, but the proponents of its disadvantages believe so.

Another proposed disadvantage is said to be loneliness. The more people spend time on the net, the more they are comparatively likely to be lonely and depressed. The more we communicate through the net the more we are exposed to its intrusiveness and invasiveness. E-mail communication has led to the invasion of junk mails, spams and other unsolicited methods of communication into our private lives. Young and susceptible people receive sexually explicit junk mails in their email inboxes. Young and unsuspecting users communicating through the chat rooms are open to access by sexual predators.

In a nutshell, some of the disadvantages of Internet communication are:

• Lack of face-to-face communication.
• Decreased contact with family, friends and acquaintances.
• Reduced ability to resolve conflicts.
• Long exposure leading to loneliness and depression.
• Exposure to junk mails, spams etc.
• Exposure of young people to pornography and sexual predators.

With time and effort we can break down the barriers to overcome the disadvantages of Internet communication.