In this essay, I will evaluate the arguments made by Neil Postman about the potentials hazards of computers and internet on society, and the effect it has on the educational experiences of students. I agree with the concerns posed by Neil Postman as I have observed the people around me are in awe of the benefits of the internet, and fail to take notice of its disadvantages. In society it plays a negative role as it leads to a loss of sense of responsibility towards human relationships, a transfer of consciousness from a human to a server, education taking the form of more of an individualised type of learning, and people becoming information junkies ("Neil Postman on Cyberspace, 1995"), who are just interested in accumulating all the information they possibly can without knowing how to use their knowledge for the benefit of society.
Internet and computer usage has affected society in terms of reducing real human contact. Students are spending an increasing amount of time on social media sites, which means they are spending a lesser amount of time socializing with others in person. This leads to them not being able to communicate and socialize effectively in person. This summer when I returned home, I gave my laptop to my cousin so that he would adapt to it in order for him to excel in his projects and assignments. But things did not go as well as I thought they would. Now all he does is spend his days on Facebook, watching movies and playing games. Comparing this to the time when he didn't have a laptop, it is drastically different. Back then, he used to mingle with his friends in the neighbourhood, play sports and be around when guests were over. Now all one can do is find him is in his room busy with his laptop. When asked to come out, his behaviour changes and he gets frustrated easily. He is an example of how computers affect the young mind easily. Nowadays the curriculum in schools has shifted from a more book based learning form, to a more interactive form of learning involving I-pads, laptops and cellphones.
