It seems that now days you can't go anywhere without hearing about how society has entered either the "information age" or "digital age." For the past 50 years society has been introduced to technological advances that have forever changed how we look and interact with the world. With the introduction of television (TV), it was the first time that everyone who had a television set could all get important information on current events or just sit back and watch a show and the internet allowed anyone with an internet connection to access information that would have been extremely difficult beforehand. Though these technologies are making our life easier, the impact of these technologies has produced unforeseen ramifications which are changing our society for the worse.
Though television is an outlet for relaxation and entertainment, it is attacking not only the health of its viewers but sending out messages that set an unrealistic view of beauty. Before TV, many people had to go out in search of entertainment, whether that was joining a sports team or having a game night with all of your neighbors or having Sunday drive out into the country side. However with the introduction of television into the American home, society no longer needs to go in search of entertainment because entertainment comes straight to us in our very own living room resulting in many becoming very inactive and unhealthy. However television has its good side. It can be entertaining and even educational, and can show kids a whole new world, allowing them to see and experience things that they many have never been exposed otherwise. But what happens when you replace that positive message with a negative one? Children are spending up to 1680 minutes (that's about 28 hours) a week watching tv. Combine that with a study that the Kaiser family foundation did revealing that kids are exposed to 3,800 images of sexual situations on a regular basis, you have a society that is breaking down the fundamental idea of what true love and beauty is. As a result we have our young folk being more sexually aware which has lead to unwanted pregnancy, STD's and a lack of self respect and self worth.
The internet has evolved so much since its early days. Once only used by the Department of Defense is now used by 74.2% of all Americans, it allows us to be continually aware of current events, research information, and even allows us to check what time the movie starts at our local movie theater; it allows us to connect with people that are as old as we are and have similar interests as we do. However it's this option of connectivity that has created an unhealthy social withdrawal for many people. The virtual world of Second Life is a fine example of this unhealthy outlet. As the name suggests, "Second Life" allows people to live other lives on the internet, allowing them to be who they "truly are" or who they fantasize to be because the computer acts as a buffer between them and the rest of the world. MTV's True Life did a documentary following Amy, was a musician who was a rock star in Second Life but when it came to performing live in front of people was too shy to do so in I Live Another Life Online. Certainly there many people who use Second Life as well sites like Myspace and Facebook for recreational purposes, these sites have opened the door for creating a lost generation. Japan has to deal with hikikomori's developing in their own society and to believe that it couldn't develop here in the states is a delusion at best.
Though technology has given us many advances to ease our lives and make it enjoyable, the darker side of such advances is starting to come to light. Though we may like to believe that no harm can be done or is being done to our society, society must recognize that these issues must be addressed if we are to halt the must be done if it is to stop the slow decay of itself.
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