The Internet is nearly impossible to escape. As people living in the digital age, we have all felt the adverse and positive effects of living in an increasingly online society. Cell phones have replaced wallets, Zoom calls have taken over meetings, and social media has dominated the advertising industry. For every child that is bullied online, there is a grandparent who can connect with far away loved ones without even leaving their home. So how do we navigate the age of the Internet when its effects are simultaneously so detrimental and beneficial?

One example of the former can be seen in the addictive nature of the Internet. Adolescents are especially prone to developing a psychological dependence on the Internet, including the experience of withdrawals if suddenly removed from it. In addition, the Internet has created a new generation of scams and impersonation that can be harmful and dangerous.

As a ten-year-old, I was naturally very upset by this turn of events--I had believed that this person was who they said they were, unaware of how easy it is to lie in the digital world. This is one of the many dangers of the Internet, one that children and seniors are especially susceptible to. My experience was most likely perpetrated by a classmate or friend playing a joke on me--kids will be kids, and these types of schemes have existed forever. However, the Internet makes these pranks so easy to pull off, and they can turn into much worse than practical jokes. We have all heard the stories of seniors falling for scams by online users who target them and their lack of Internet awareness, building a connection with them, and then asking for money. Sadly, this is just one example of how catastrophic impersonation on the Internet can become. 

However, despite the dangerous anonymity of the Internet, not all experiences or relationships online are fake or negative. Rebecca Chrabaszewski, a senior Illustration major, forged a long-lasting, positive relationship with someone she met online.

"I find it [the Internet] to be one of the most useful tools and also the most taxing on me mentally," said Maya. "With that being said, the Internet has really helped me remain connected to my long-distance friends and family. It can be comforting to see what they are doing and it’s nice to be able to reach them in many different forms, whether it be FaceTime or commenting on a post. My main support systems don’t live in the same city as me, so it’s cool to be able to catch up through different mediums."

Maya says that the positive aspects of her relationship with the Internet don't stop there.

"Along with personal connections, social media has really helped me find sources for stories that I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to contact or discover," she said. "That’s become a very important tool for my writing process."

Senior Graphic Design major Sarah Balog agrees that the Internet is extremely important for her work but worries about her consumption of the Internet.