Week 1 Topic 2 - The Internet and its impact on society

You might suggest that the interent has become popular because of its lack of structure, people have to ability to look at whatever they want on the internet, even as far as talking to whoever they want. There may be opportunities for adults to protect their children from what sites they view, however this isnt compulsory and so children may be exposed to all sorts.

The internet has even been linked to the suicides of many teenagers in Bridgend (Wales). It has been proposed that these teenagers "think it's cool to have a memorial website. It may even be a way of achieving prestige among their peer group." (The Times:2008) Also in 2001 'Simon Kelly, from Cornwall, was communicating with others on a suicide chat room right up until the moment that he killed himself`(The Times:2008). This may start a moral panic within society, with other forms of media showing these internet effects on young people.

The internet may not be the main cause of these teenagers deaths, but in the case of Simon Kelly in particular, gave the opportunity for other people to see his death, which can be argued that this might lead to other individuals being influenced in doing the same. A downfall of the internet?

The Times (2008) Bridgend, suicide and the internet: the facts http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3399528.ece