Quote Originally Posted by StickyStevie
Well today we get informed in school that on Monday some of us have a big exam. 6 out of our class were picked and me being one of them I need to do some research. So here goes...

What are your views on children (your own included) making friends on the internet through sites such as bebo, MSN etc rather than going out and socialising on the street or in youth clubs etc?

Thanks!
As long as children are in school they will be required to socialize to some degree. I feel that totally replacing real friends with internet friends will have (if aloud to happen) devastating effects on that child. Their are things we learn while interacting one on one with humans. These include body language, eye contact, confident body posture exc. These things project to the other person our state of mind, intentions and mood during an encouter. I have many friends that I have never meet before on here, but as a 26 year old man I have developed the skills it takes to communicate effectively in a one on one encounter with another person and can balance the two. If children are aloud to only socialize with people over the net then I fear the art of conversation will be lost in two generations. Well no harm no foul right? Think of all the things that require one on one communication. Dating, job interview, being assertive in a stressful situation to avoid being taken advantage of. Pime example my little brother was an intravirted (sp) kid. Chat rooms were the only place he really tried to connect with people. Now by the time he was 14 he was afraid to go anywhere or do anything with out my mom or dad being there. When we would go to restaurant's he wouldn't even order for himself he would tell mom and dad and they would have to order for him. Now he grew out of this after the computer was taken away but never the less aloud to go unchecked it could have gotten out of hand. Long story short. We are a group ordinated animal and as such have built our society around that notion. Children who lack the skills to communicate effectively with others will be at a disadvantage.