The role of the Internet in our life

“The role of the Internet in our life”

For centuries people had been living without any great inventions. We can compare the everyday people's life of the 11th and the 13th centuries and we'll see it was very similar. But can we say the same about the 19th and the 21st centuries? Certainly, not. Nowadays science and technology are developing so fast that sometimes you can't «chase» the progress.

In the 30's the radio was one of the most popular means of spending your leisure time. Then television was invented and the radio became less popular. Today TV has changed a lot since its invention and it's still popular but it has a serious competitor. It is the Internet. I can’t say exactly what is more popular today – television or the Net. But in my opinion, TV will vanish in 10—20 years and the Internet or even something more modern will become the main source of information and entertainment.
As anything, the Web has two sides: bad and good. We've already talked about a good side. What about its disadvantages? The main problem connected with the Internet is net obsession. It can be compared with TV addiction but I think Internet addiction is more widespread and more destructive. Either adults or children can't live without the Web. They lose interest in their hobbies, spend their free time in front of the screen. Then they forget about their friends. People destroy their health (some cases were very hazardous: problems were much more serious than bad eyesight). When these people get fired they lose the link between the real and the virtual world. Unfortunately, some people become insane.
Nowadays the Internet addiction is one of the most principal problems. And it's hard to solve it because the life without Internet is really impossible today.
There are other disadvantages of the Net: a big hourly or monthly fee, diverse computer viruses and harmful programs, which can rob you.
I am a frequent Internet user but I'm not addicted to it. I log on the Web about two times a week. First of all I check my e-mail (I have some pen pals), then I go to my favorite sites (various forums, music sites, sites with diaries). From time to time, I search for articles on school topics. And, finally, sometimes I read news and download music.
Taking everything in account, I'd like to say that every invention usually has its lovers and enemies. We can blame the Web a lot, discuss it every time, but still log on to read the weather forecast or to send a letter to Australia by e-mail. And no one can deny the great role of it. So, if people control themselves everything will be OK.