Group discussion: Does the internet cause loneliness among people?

Internet use has been growing at a phenomenal rate and much ink has been spilled by commentators forecasting the psychological consequences of all this web-time.

Latest research suggests that more time on the internet is associated with increased loneliness and reduced life satisfaction. However, as most people can imagine it is a  complicated picture.

SITUATION:

You are a member of a debating club who meet every month to discuss current topics.

Presentation stage

All members introduce themselves and say if they think that the internet causes loneliness among people.

Discussion stage

The group discusses positive as well as negative effects of the internet on the individual’s social life.

They consider the impact of the Net on different age groups.

The group tries to develop three measures of how to reduce the negative impact of the internet on people’s lives to a minimum.

At the end one student gives a short summary and presents the group’s ideas.