Are People Becoming Too Dependant on Computers?

488 Words2 Pages
Society is becoming increasingly dependent on computers and technology for functioning in everyday life. Every aspect of our lives has been affected by the infiltration of computers and technology. Computers are used to conduct business from home, meet new friends and find old friends, maintain communications with distant family, and to meet out some stress relief after a long day at the office. As more and more people rely on computers to succeed each day, it begs the question – are people becoming too dependent on computers. Starting at a young age now, children are learning how to use a computer for fun and for learning. One advantage is that it takes an increased manual dexterity to operate a computer mouse and keyboard, but at the same time, children are losing out on the increased fine motor skills that come with writing their name and assignments out in long hand. Handwriting is a necessary skill that is not likely to find a replacement in the world of technology. Computers can also lead to an educational environment where spelling skills are lost. This is even true for adults who consider themselves good spellers. Many word processing programs auto correct misspelled words and the writer never even knows that they have made a mistake. Everyone loves efficiency and while it certainly speeds up the writing process, it leads to the enforcement of common misspellings. Some people do become obsessed with computers. For example, a couple in South Korea was recently charged with murder after they neglected their newborn baby to spend up to 12 hours a day in an internet café caring for a virtual baby. This type of obsession certainly can make the case that people are becoming too dependant on computers. But it is the exception to the rule, not the norm. The most important issue in the debate on whether or not people are becoming too dependant on computers is one
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