DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET IN CORPORATE COMMUNICATION

DISADVANTAGES OF THE INTERNET

Although there are many advantages, researchers argue some disadvantages of an internet based society. Most of these drawbacks are a result of decreased face-to-face communication and the ability to escape identity.

Negative effects on family communication

Although there are conflicting research findings on this topic, an article published by Science Daily reported that time spent on the Internet was associated with later declines in within house family communication and a decrease in the number of friends and acquaintances with which they kept ties.

Lack of conflict resolution

The same article suggests that communication on the web is taking away necessary human conflict. For example, if an Internet conversation starts getting heated or if someone gets angry, it is too easy to just sign off and not deal with the issue. Resolving conflict is a part of life that shouldn’t be avoided and is usually psychologically helpful.

Lonliness

Another proposed disadvantage is that a couple of studies have found strong correlations between frequency of Internet use and loneliness. People that use the Internet often are more likely to become lonely and depressed than those that don’t. One proposal as to why this is the case is because of a potential reduced social support system as a result of the Internet.

Internet addiction

There is some controversy over whether it is possible to actually be addicted to the Internet or not. Some researchers, like John M. Grohol, claim that it is simply people trying to escape their problems in an online world and cannot be classified as an addiction. He demonstrates his theory with this model and states that what some people call an addiction is just someone that is caught in

Other psychologists, including Jennifer R. Ferris, believe that Internet addiction is a true psychological disorder with definable symptoms. The symptoms are comparable to any addiction, withdrawal, loss of relationships or job and significant time consumption.

Text-based online discussion necessarily excludes some people (like all methods)

Online forums predominantly rely on inputting text which can be challenging for those who can’t write, can’t spell, don’t like to write, have poor keyboard skills, have no access to a keyboard, live with a disability that prevents them from reading text and using a keyboard…

This disadvantage is associated with an all text-based consultation processes, particularly the traditional statutory “submission” processes. We noticed that many people choose to “vote” to agree or disagree with other people’s comments rather than leaving their own; this may be a reflection of a lack of confidence in their own language and keyboard skills.

 The lack of physical cues in online forums may lead to miscommunication

Without facial expressions and gestures or the ability to retract immediately, there’s a big risk of misunderstanding.

This can be a problem. There is not much room for wit and whimsy, humor and satire in the forum environment. Irony is lost on a very large proportion of our global population at the best of times (witness Alanis Morisette!). Of course people with different senses of humor have been misunderstanding each other forever.

By Musa Lilian BAPRM 42631