The internet seems like a good tool. I use it. Once a week I use it. Every Thursday. When considering whether or not to begin this blog I thought through all the aspects of what it could mean to be writing on the internet. I decided in the end that by setting precise time limits and only blogging during my weekly trip to the library I could use it as a tool. Which is what it should be. I do not have a facebook or myspace.
Do you use the internet? Is it a tool or an addiction? Ask yourself honestly.
I have been studying this epidemic for a long time now. I have had a lot of discussions with in my family about it and have been completely dismissed by many others.
I know many good Christian families that are extremely conservative that allow the internet in their homes. The same families often don’t even have televisions. They say things like ‘My kids are strong in their faith. They wouldn’t use it for ill.’ or ‘We use it for witness and education purposes.’ But ask your self hard honest questions like:
Am I and my kids completely above all temptation?
Do I spend a bare minimum of time online or do I waste time online?
Have I ever found myself in an uncomfortable situation online?
Am I reading about things online that I should really be out doing myself?
Am I reading about things that I should not be participating in?
Is there absolutely no one from my past that I would be embarrassed to be contacted by?
Have I ever kept a secret online?
Blogs:
E-mail:
FACEBOOK:
Even if you don’t have kids. If it’s just you.
Did you know that in a poll done by Health Magazine 34% of women admitted to having friended an ex-boyfriend on facebook and 33% didn’t tell their partner.
Facebook is not okay. It’s time to be frank. The internet CAN be used as a tool.
The internet HAS become an addiction.
Honestly and frankly evaluate your internet usage and that of your family and friends.
Thank you for reading this but please make your visits to your favorite Blogs brief and beneficial times. Not to mention that if they are fewer they will become more special. Through out the week the important things you do online will become something you look forward to and many other things will simply fade away as you realize that they really weren’t a necessary part of your daily life. There was a time when I would have minced words about facebook saying things like ‘We decided not to use it but it’s not that big a deal.’ Well, it is a Big deal. It’s a terrible thing. And 1 in a 100 times maybe it’s used for good but it is almost entirely cyber gossip. It tears families apart. It introduces relationships with people that are fake and that you would never have in person. It’s gossip. People watch things happen on facebook that they would never watch in person. They say things they would never say out loud. There’s very little accountability. People are neglecting the relationships with the people right there around them for fake ones online. Nothing is private any more. There was a time when you just didn’t tell other people private things that went on in your personal life and now like it or not, through you or someone else, your personal business is broadcast online. People are hurt on face book. People gossip on facebook. People watch things go on that they would not condone on face book. People spread rumors that stem from facebook. People disregard their friends and family because of facebook. There are a million things that could be said of face book but the very most important is that families are EXTREMLY naïve in allowing facebook into their home. PLEASE consider this deeply as if it is a life or death decision. Yes, people will think you are weird for not using internet in excess but we should never base our decisions in life on what other people will think. Do what’s best for yourself. I fully recognize that the internet could, in isolated situations, be a very good thing that we shouldn’t disregard altogether but I fully believe that it has become a terrible epidemic that will change America. Even e-mail is ill used. People don’t have any real interaction any more. It’s always an e-mail or a txt or a facebook update. Or a tweet for goodness sakes! What happened to a time when a friend took five minuets from their day to stop and have a cup of coffee with you? When you called someone on the phone and heard their voice just to tell them you were thinking of them? When was the last time some one sent you a note just to say they missed seeing you? Where is the real interaction? Seem innocent enough. And granted I have one myself but please, never spend more then a few minuets reading my blog. And remember that my life is my life and you should appreciate yours. I’m sure it is equally as grand as mine. I know a lady who is a lovely lady and she is attempting to farm. Every time I see her she is completely and totally stressed that she has so many things to do. But every time I go to her house she is on the computer. Oh yes, it’s always something important like research or studying but in the end wouldn’t it be better to stop reading other people’s Blogs about their farms and go out and farm your own farm?
No comments:
Post a Comment