8. Computers in my life

Computer addicts are the minority of computer users but there is no doubt that more and more young people are computer literate. Computer study is a subject in many schools and many young people have personal computers. About one in three hundred computer owners spend almost all their time using computers.

Ninety six per cent of them are males of all ages. All of them spend an average of twenty hours per week on home computers. The majority of the adults also use computers at work. All the computer addicts are very intelligent. They have been interested in science and technology from a very early age and they are usually very shy people who like being alone.

A survey in a school showed that fewer girls are interested in computers because girls are less likely to have a computer. Even if they have one, they use then less frequently than boys. Possibly it is because we think of computers as something to do with maths and science, which are traditionally 'male' subjects. Possibly it is because most of the computer teachers are men, who give the girls less attention. Possibly parents think it is less important for girls to have computer skills.

Computer addicts are usually very shy people. Using computers gives them confidence. They love debugging and solving problems, develop programs and love learning programming languages. They learnt to communicate with other users through computer networks and the people they met in school and work think of them as experts who could help and advise when they had problems with their machines. A few spend their time 'hacking' and one addict left a message on a computer of Buckingham House. Very few computer addicts play computer games, but many people use a computer exclusively for games.

Some parents worry about computer games because they think their children won't be able to communicate with real people in the real world. But parents do not need to worry. According to research computer addicts usually do well after they have left school. Parents also do not need to worry that computer addiction will make their children become unfriendly and unable to communicate with people.

It is not the computer that makes them shy. In fact, what they know about computers improves their social lives. They become experts and others come to them for help and advice.

For most children computer games are a craze. Like any other craze, such as skate-boarding, the craze is short-lived. It provides harmless fun and a chance to escape.

If we didn't have these computer addicts, we wouldn't have modern technology. They are the inventors of tomorrow.

Internet Addiction

Last week, in a private rehabilitation clinic outside Edinburgh, Leo Edwards, a sixteen-year-old schoolboy, was going through severe withdrawal symptoms. His body often shook violently and uncontrollably, and at mealtimes he regularly threw cups and plates around the dining room. The boy's addiction had nothing to do with alcohol, drugs, gambling or food. His problem was 'Net obsession'— an over-dependency on the Internet.

An international group of psychologists has recently suggested that anyone who surfs the Internet for long periods is clinically ill and needs medical treatment. According to their report, Internet addicts should be treated in the same way as alcoholics, drug addicts, compulsive gamblers and people with eating disorders.

Leo Edwards is not an isolated case. Russell Hopkins, aged fifteen, from Gates head in north-east England, is a typical online addict.

Every day after school, and after dinner until three or four in the morning, he will be found in his room surfing the Net or playing computer games. By the end of the day he will have spent more than six hours online. Understandably, his parents are extremely worried. Not only has his school work suffered, but Russell's addiction has also destroyed his social life and his spare-time interests. For instance, he has just dropped out of his school's basketball team in order to spend more time at his computer. Instead of spending next weekend having a good time out with friends, he'll be spending it indoors surfing the Internet.

Russell has recently joined an Internet online support group. It may seem ironic that many of the support groups for Internet addicts are online but at least Russell has sought help. Not everyone does. Dr Ann Hoffman, who runs an online support group, says, "People don't realise that being online for more than four hours a day amounts to addiction and that they have a serious problem. I predict that the number of people who join online support groups will have risen dramatically within three years."  

Are computers a necessity?

Computers play an important role in the lives of most of us today, whether we realize it or not. Some people, however, are beginning to ask if we really need them. In my opinion, computers have become a necessary part o modern life.

One of the main advantages is the time that can be saved by using a computer and computers can save a lot of storage place.

In addition to this, computers can be educational and fun. From a very young age, children can gain basic computer skills through programmes that allow them to learn, draw, paint and play. Stored information can be found at the touch of a button. This knowledge can help them in the future.

However, there are various negative aspects to using computers. Many jobs have been lost due to the fact that computers can do a lot of tasks more efficiently than humans.

What is more, computers can actually cause health problems. Endless hour in front of a screen can cause eye strain and headaches, which are serious side-effects. We have become too dependent on computers.

All in all, I strongly believe that computers are a useful tool. They have changed our life for the better. However, it must be remembered that they are here to serve us – not to replace us.

The Internet

Lately computers have filled our life. Now they are almost in each family. We have got used to them and we don’t imagine our leisure without this miracle-machine.

With the help of computers the Internet has entered our life. Now people cannot live a day without checking their mail and visiting their favourite sites.

The Internet is the world in which there are mail boxes, libraries, photo galleries, games, shops. By means of the Internet people can travel to different cities, visit tourist places, communicate with people.

On the other hand, if we spend a lot of time surfing the Net, we lose a touch with the real world, get in a full dependence on a computer.

Children on the Net: yes or no?

The Internet is a great learning tool for children, but what about the problems and dangers if children are allowed to surf the net on their own?

Many people are in favour of children using the Internet. Firstly, the net is already part of our world, so everyone – including children – needs to use it. Secondly, children can learn about other countries and their cultures. They can meet people from all over the world, and make friends in faraway places.

On the other hand, some people are against letting children surf the net on their own. Many children use the net for playing games, not for learning anything. What is more, some ‘adult’ web sites are really not suitable for children.

In conclusion, the Internet offers many advantages, but children should be supervised when they are using it, and parents should teach them how to use it properly.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Computers in the Workplace

In the last few years computers have become a part of almost everybody’s lives – especially in the workplace. Computers can bring great benefits to the workplace, but what we mustn’t forget is that they can create problems too.

Using computers in the workplace offers many advantages. Firstly, they can do certain tasks mush faster than people. This means that they can do the time-consuming tasks while workers concentrate on other tasks. Also, they don’t make mistakes. Therefore, they can be used to help workers such as air-traffic controllers or surgeons whose work can be dangerous or very demanding. Finally, computers don’t need to be paid for the work they do. As a result, employers can reduce their worker’s workload and increase their wages.

On the other hand, using computers in the workplace also has disadvantages. For example, in many industries, computers may replace people altogether. This could lead to high unemployment. What is more, computers do not have personalities or feelings. This means that they can’t judge people’s characters or help people with emotional problems.

In conclusion, I believe that using computers in the workplace has both positive and negative points. With a little time and patience, we can solve the problems that they may cause. In this way, computers can be used to make both employers’ and employees’ jobs happier, easier and safer.

The Pros and Cons of Making Friends Through The Internet

In this 21st century, the Internet is widely used among all no matter the young or old. Many use the Internet as a valuable resource and more and more people are starting to access the Internet. Making friends through the Internet is booming as never before especially for the younger generations. In fact, nowadays people rarely look for pen pals anymore. Writing letters has turned into email while phone conversation has changed into online chatting.

Nevertheless, making friends through the Internet has its pros and cons too. Now making friends may no longer be a problem. The Internet affords to communicate not only with people who are close by but also with those who might be thousands of miles away. We can make friends of different races and cultures and this can expose us to a new language, culture and beliefs. (to be continued)