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Argumentative Essays About Social Media

Social media argumentative essay topics.

This is a comprehensive resource to help you find the perfect social media essay topic. Whether you're navigating the complexities of digital communication, exploring the impact of social media on society, or examining its effects on personal identity, the right topic can transform your essay into a captivating and insightful exploration. Remember, selecting a topic that resonates with your personal interests and academic goals not only makes the writing process more enjoyable but also enriches your learning experience. Let's dive into a world of creativity and critical thinking!

Below, you'll find a curated list of essay topics organized by type. Each section includes diverse topics that touch on technology, society, personal growth, and academic interests, along with introduction and conclusion paragraph examples to get you started.

Argumentative Essays

  • The Influence of Social Media on Teen Self-Esteem

Introduction Example: "In the digital age, social media platforms have become central to our daily interactions and self-perception, particularly among teenagers. This essay explores the impact of social media on teen self-esteem, arguing that while it offers a space for expression and connection, it also presents significant challenges to self-image. "

Conclusion Example: "Having delved into the complex relationship between social media and teen self-esteem, it is clear that the digital landscape holds profound effects on individual self-perception. This essay reaffirms the thesis that social media can both uplift and undermine teen self-esteem, calling for a balanced approach to digital engagement."

  • The Role of Social Media in Political Mobilization

Introduction Example: "As political landscapes evolve, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for political mobilization and engagement. This essay investigates the role of social media in shaping political movements, positing that it significantly enhances communication and organizational capabilities, yet raises questions about information authenticity. "

Conclusion Example: "Through examining the dual facets of social media in political mobilization, the essay concludes that while social media is a pivotal tool for engagement, it necessitates critical scrutiny of information to ensure a well-informed public discourse."

Compare and Contrast Essays

  • Instagram vs. Twitter: Platforms for Brand Promotion

Introduction Example: "In the competitive realm of digital marketing, Instagram and Twitter stand out as leading platforms for brand promotion. This essay compares and contrasts their effectiveness, revealing that each platform caters to unique marketing strengths due to its specific user engagement and content dissemination strategies. "

Conclusion Example: "The comparative analysis of Instagram and Twitter highlights distinct advantages for brands, with Instagram excelling in visual storytelling and Twitter in real-time engagement, underscoring the importance of strategic platform selection in digital marketing."

Descriptive Essays

  • Describing the Social Media Landscape of Today

Introduction Example: "Today's social media landscape is a vibrant tapestry of platforms, each contributing to the digital era's social fabric. This essay describes the characteristics and cultural significance of current social media trends, illustrating that they reflect and shape our societal values and interactions. "

Conclusion Example: "In portraying the dynamic and diverse nature of today's social media landscape, this essay underscores its role in molding contemporary cultural and social paradigms, inviting readers to reflect on their digital footprints."

Persuasive Essays

  • Encouraging Positive Social Media Habits

Introduction Example: "In an era where digital presence is ubiquitous, fostering positive social media habits is essential for mental and emotional well-being. This essay advocates for mindful social media use, arguing that intentional engagement can enhance our life experiences rather than detract from them. "

Conclusion Example: "This essay has championed the cause for positive social media habits, reinforcing the thesis that through mindful engagement, individuals can navigate the digital world in a way that promotes personal growth and well-being."

Narrative Essays

  • My Journey with Social Media: A Personal Reflection

Introduction Example: "Embarking on a personal journey with social media has been both enlightening and challenging. This narrative essay delves into my experiences, highlighting how social media has influenced my perception of self and community. "

Conclusion Example: "Reflecting on my social media journey, this essay concludes that while it has significantly shaped my interactions and self-view, it has also offered invaluable lessons on connectivity and self-awareness, affirming the nuanced role of digital platforms in our lives."

As you explore these topics, remember to approach your essay with an open mind and creative spirit. The purpose of academic writing is not just to inform but to engage and provoke thought. Use this opportunity to delve deep into your topic, analyze different perspectives, and articulate your own insights.

Each essay type offers unique learning outcomes. Argumentative essays enhance your analytical thinking and ability to construct well-founded arguments. Compare and contrast essays develop your skills in identifying similarities and differences. Descriptive essays improve your ability to paint vivid pictures through words, while persuasive essays refine your ability to influence and convince. Finally, narrative essays offer a platform for personal expression and storytelling. Embrace these opportunities to grow academically and personally.

Some Easy Argumentative Essay Topics on Social Media

  • The Impact of Social Media: Advantages and Disadvantages
  • Is Social Media Enhancing or Eroding Our Real-Life Social Skills?
  • Should There Be Stricter Regulations on Social Media Content to Protect Youth?
  • Social Media's Role in Relationships: Communication Enhancer or Barrier
  • Does Social Media Contribute to Political Polarization?
  • The Role of Social Media in Shaping Perceptions of Divorce
  • The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: Benefit or Harm?
  • Can Social Media Be Considered a Reliable Source of News and Information?
  • Is Social Media Responsible for the Rise in Cyberbullying?
  • Impact of Social Media on Mental Health
  • Does Social Media Promote Narcissism and Self-Centered Behaviors?
  • The Role of Social Media in Business Marketing: Is It Indispensable?

Hooks Examples for Argumentative Essay about Social Media

  • "In an era where a single tweet can ignite a movement or ruin a reputation, social media's influence on our lives is undeniable. But is this digital revolution more beneficial or harmful to society?"
  • "As social media platforms increasingly shape public opinion and behavior, the debate intensifies: Do they promote free expression or fuel misinformation and division?"
  • "Social media has transformed how we communicate, but at what cost? Exploring the impacts on mental health, privacy, and societal norms reveals a complex web of benefits and drawbacks."
  • "With billions of users worldwide, social media holds unprecedented power. Should we celebrate its role in connecting people or scrutinize its potential to manipulate and mislead?"
  • "From viral challenges to political campaigns, social media is a double-edged sword. Is it a force for positive change or a threat to our privacy and well-being?"

The Role of Hate Speech in Social Media

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Impact of social media on our lives, social media: negative effects and addiction, discussion on whether is social media beneficial or harmful for society, negative effects of social media: relationships and communication, social media pros and cons, social media - good and bad sides, a study of the role of social media concerning confidentiality of personal data, how social media causes stereotyping, social media addiction: consequences and strategies for recovery, the role of social media in making us more narcissistic, the effect social media is having on today's society and political atmosphere, digital/social media, censorship in social media, why teenagers are addicted to social media and how it affects them, advantages and disadvantages of social media for society, enormous impact of mass media on children, the role of social media in the current business world, social media is the reason for many of the world’s problems and solutions, impact of social media on society.

Social media is a digital platform that allows users to create, share, and exchange information and ideas.

Social media's origins trace back to May 24, 1844, with the telegraph's electronic dots and dashes. Modern narratives often cite the 1969 creation of ARPANET as the internet's beginning. In 1987, the National Science Foundation's NSFNET, a robust nationwide digital network, was established. A significant milestone in social media history occurred in 1997 with the launch of Six Degrees, the first genuine social media platform.

  • Social Networking Sites: Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace.
  • Microblogging Platforms: Twitter.
  • Media Sharing Networks: Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat.
  • Discussion Forums and Community-Based Platforms: Reddit and Quora.
  • Blogging Platforms: WordPress and Blogger.
  • Social Bookmarking and Content Curation Platforms: Pinterest and Flipboard.
  • Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat.

Facebook (2004), Reddit (2005), Twitter (2006), Instagram (2010), Pinterest (2010), Snapchat (2011), TikTok (2016)

  • Increased Connectivity
  • Information Sharing and Awareness
  • Networking and Professional Opportunities
  • Creativity and Self-Expression
  • Supportive Communities and Causes
  • Privacy Concerns
  • Cyberbullying and Online Harassment
  • Information Overload and Misinformation
  • Time and Productivity Drain
  • Comparison and Self-Esteem Issues

The topic of social media is important because it has revolutionized the way we communicate, connect, and consume information. It has a significant impact on businesses, politics, relationships, and society as a whole. Understanding the implications and effects of social media is crucial in today's digital age.

  • Social media users spend an average of 2 hours and 25 minutes per day on social networking platforms. This amounts to over 7 years of an individual's lifetime spent on social media, highlighting its significant presence in our daily lives.
  • Instagram has over 1 billion monthly active users, with more than 500 million of them using the platform on a daily basis.
  • YouTube is the second largest search engine behind Google.
  • Social media has become a major news source, with 48% of people getting their news from social media platforms. This shift in news consumption highlights the role of social media in shaping public opinion and disseminating information in real-time.
  • The average internet user has 7.6 social media accounts.

1. Schober, M. F., Pasek, J., Guggenheim, L., Lampe, C., & Conrad, F. G. (2016). Social media analyses for social measurement. Public opinion quarterly, 80(1), 180-211. (https://academic.oup.com/poq/article-abstract/80/1/180/2593846) 2. Appel, G., Grewal, L., Hadi, R., & Stephen, A. T. (2020). The future of social media in marketing. Journal of the Academy of Marketing science, 48(1), 79-95. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11747-019-00695-1?error=cookies_not_support) 3. Aichner, T., Grünfelder, M., Maurer, O., & Jegeni, D. (2021). Twenty-five years of social media: a review of social media applications and definitions from 1994 to 2019. Cyberpsychology, behavior, and social networking, 24(4), 215-222. (https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/cyber.2020.0134) 4. Ruths, D., & Pfeffer, J. (2014). Social media for large studies of behavior. Science, 346(6213), 1063-1064. (https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.346.6213.1063) 5. Hou, Y., Xiong, D., Jiang, T., Song, L., & Wang, Q. (2019). Social media addiction: Its impact, mediation, and intervention. Cyberpsychology: Journal of psychosocial research on cyberspace, 13(1). (https://cyberpsychology.eu/article/view/11562) 6. Auxier, B., & Anderson, M. (2021). Social media use in 2021. Pew Research Center, 1, 1-4. (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2021/04/PI_2021.04.07_Social-Media-Use_FINAL.pdf) 7. Al-Samarraie, H., Bello, K. A., Alzahrani, A. I., Smith, A. P., & Emele, C. (2021). Young users' social media addiction: causes, consequences and preventions. Information Technology & People, 35(7), 2314-2343. (https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-11-2020-0753/full/html) 8. Bhargava, V. R., & Velasquez, M. (2021). Ethics of the attention economy: The problem of social media addiction. Business Ethics Quarterly, 31(3), 321-359. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-ethics-quarterly/article/ethics-of-the-attention-economy-the-problem-of-social-mediaaddiction/1CC67609A12E9A912BB8A291FDFFE799)

Relevant topics

  • Effects of Social Media
  • Media Analysis
  • Cultural Appropriation
  • Discourse Community
  • Sex, Gender and Sexuality
  • American Identity
  • Sociological Imagination
  • Personal Identity

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argumentative essay on the use of internet

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Essay on Importance of Internet: Samples for Students

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  • Updated on  
  • Jun 20, 2024

essay on importance of internet

Internet is not just a need or luxury, it has become a household necessity. It was used as a source of entertainment but now it is impossible to work in offices or study without the Internet. When the global pandemic locked everyone in their house, it became an important medium to connect, study and work. Students were able to study without the risk of catching COVID-19 because of the Internet. The importance of the internet is also a common topic in various entrance exams such as SAT , TOEFL , and UPSC . In this blog, you will learn how to write an essay on the importance of the Internet.

This Blog Includes:

Tips to write the perfect essay on internet, sample 1 of essay on the importance of the internet (100 words), sample essay 2 – importance of the internet (150 words), sample essay 3 on use of internet for student (300 words).

argumentative essay on the use of internet

Also Read: Essay on Yoga Day

Also Read: Speech on Yoga Day

Now the task of essay writing may not always be easy, hence candidates must always know a few tips to write the perfect essay. Mentioned below are a few tips for writing the correct essay:

  • Prepare a basic outline to make sure there is continuity and relevance and no break in the structure of the essay
  • Follow a given structure. Begin with an introduction then move on to the body which should be detailed and encapsulate the essence of the topic and finally the conclusion for readers to be able to comprehend the essay in a certain manner
  • Students can also try to include solutions in their conclusion to make the essay insightful and lucrative to read.

Also Read: UPSC Essay Topics

The last few years have witnessed heavy reliance on the Internet. This has been because of multiple advantages that it has to offer – for instance, reducing work stress and changing the face of communication most importantly. If we take the current scenario, we cannot ignore how important the Internet is in our everyday lives. It is now indeed a challenging task to visualize a world without the internet. One may define the internet as a large library composed of stuff like – records, pictures, websites, and pieces of information. Another sector in which the internet has an undeniably important role to play is the field of communication. Without access to the internet, the ability to share thoughts and ideas across the globe would have also been just a dream. 

Also Read: IELTS Essay Topics

With the significant progress in technology, the importance of the internet has only multiplied with time. The dependence on the internet has been because of multiple advantages that it has to offer – for instance, reducing work stress and changing the face of communication most importantly. By employing the correct usage of the internet, we can find various information about the world. The internet hosts Wikipedia, which is considered to be one of the largest best-composed reference books kept up by a vast community of volunteer scholars and editors from all over the world. Through the internet, one may get answers to all their curiosity.

In the education sector too, it plays a major role, especially taking into consideration the pandemic. The Internet during the pandemic provided an easy alternative to replace the traditional education system and offers additional resources for studying, students can take their classes in the comforts of their homes. Through the internet, they can also browse for classes – lectures at no extra cost. The presence of the Internet is slowly replacing the use of traditional newspapers. It offers various recreational advantages as well. It can be correctly said that the internet plays a great role in the enhancement of quality of life.

Also Read: TOEFL Sample Essays

One may correctly define the 21st century as the age of science and technology. However, this has been possible not only by the efforts of the current generation but also by the previous generation. The result of one such advancement in the field of science and technology is the Internet. What is the Internet? So the internet can be called a connected group of networks that enable electronic communication. It is considered to be the world’s largest communication connecting millions of users.

The dependence on the internet has been because of multiple advantages that it has to offer – for instance, reducing work stress and changing the face of communication most importantly. Given the current scenario, the Internet has become a massive part of our daily lives, and it is now a challenging task to imagine the world without the Internet. The importance of the Internet in the field of communication definitely cannot be ignored.

Without access to the internet, the ability to share thoughts and ideas across the globe would have been just a dream. Today we can talk to people all over the globe only because of services like email, messenger, etc that are heavily reliant on the internet. Without the internet, it would be hard to imagine how large the world would be. The advent of the internet has made the task of building global friendships very easy.

The youth is mainly attracted by entertainment services. Streaming platforms like Amazon , Netflix, and YouTube have also gained immense popularity among internet users over the past few years. The presence of the Internet is slowly replacing the use of traditional newspapers among people too. 

In addition to these, it has various recreational advantages to offer as well. For instance, people can search for fun videos to watch and play games online with friends and other people all over the globe. Hence, we can say the internet holds immense importance in today’s era. Internet technology has indeed changed the dynamics of how we communicate, respond or entertain ourselves. Its importance in everyday life is never-ending. It can be correctly said that the internet plays a great role in the enhancement of quality of life. In the future too, we will see further changes in technology .

Also Read: SAT to Drop Optional Essays and Subject Tests from the Exam

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The internet provides us with facts and data, as well as information and knowledge, to aid in our personal, social, and economic development. The internet has various applications; nevertheless, how we utilize it in our daily lives is determined by our particular needs and ambitions.

Here are five uses of the internet: email; sharing of files; watching movies and listening to songs; research purposes; and education.

The Internet has also altered our interactions with our families, friends, and life partners. Everyone is now connected to everyone else in a more simplified, accessible, and immediate manner; we can conduct part of our personal relationships using our laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

This was all about an essay on importance of Internet. The skill of writing an essay comes in handy when appearing for standardized language tests. Thinking of taking one soon? Leverage Live provides the best online test prep for the same. Register today to know more!

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Argumentative Essay: Online Learning and Educational Access

Conventional learning is evolving with the help of computers and online technology. New ways of learning are now available, and improved access is one of the most important benefits available. People all around the world are experiencing improved mobility as a result of the freedom and potential that online learning provides, and as academic institutions and learning organisations adopt online learning technologies and remote-access learning, formal academic education is becoming increasingly legitimate. This essay argues the contemporary benefits of online learning, and that these benefits significantly outweigh the issues, challenges and disadvantages of online learning.

Online learning is giving people new choices and newfound flexibility with their personal learning and development. Whereas before, formal academic qualifications could only be gained by participating in a full time course on site, the internet has allowed institutions to expand their reach and offer recognized courses on a contact-partial, or totally virtual, basis. Institutions can do so with relatively few extra resources, and for paid courses this constitutes excellent value, and the student benefits with greater educational access and greater flexibility to learn and get qualified even when there lots of other personal commitments to deal with.

Flexibility is certainly one of the most important benefits, but just as important is educational access. On top of the internet’s widespread presence in developed countries, the internet is becoming increasingly available in newly developed and developing countries. Even without considering the general informational exposure that the internet delivers, online academic courses and learning initiatives are becoming more aware of the needs of people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and this means that people from such backgrounds are in a much better position to learn and progress than they used to be.

The biggest argument that raises doubt over online learning is the quality of online courses in comparison to conventional courses. Are such online courses good enough for employers to take notice? The second biggest argument is the current reality that faces many people from disadvantaged backgrounds, despite the improvements made in this area in recent years – they do not have the level of basic access needed to benefit from online learning. In fact, there are numerous sources of evidence that claim disadvantaged students are not receiving anywhere near the sort of benefits that online learning institutions and promoters are trying to instigate. Currently there are many organisations, campaigns and initiatives that are working to expand access to higher education. With such high participation, it can be argued that it is only a matter of time before the benefits are truly realised, but what about the global online infrastructure?

There is another argument that is very difficult to dispel, and that is the response of different types of students to the online learning paradigm. Evidence shows that there are certain groups of students that benefit from college distance learning much more than other groups. In essence, students must be highly motivated and highly disciplined if they are to learn effectively in their own private environment.

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Argumentative Essay Examples to Inspire You (+ Free Formula)

Argumentative Essay Examples to Inspire You (+ Free Formula)

Table of contents

argumentative essay on the use of internet

Meredith Sell

Have you ever been asked to explain your opinion on a controversial issue? 

  • Maybe your family got into a discussion about chemical pesticides
  • Someone at work argues against investing resources into your project
  • Your partner thinks intermittent fasting is the best way to lose weight and you disagree

Proving your point in an argumentative essay can be challenging, unless you are using a proven formula.

Argumentative essay formula & example

In the image below, you can see a recommended structure for argumentative essays. It starts with the topic sentence, which establishes the main idea of the essay. Next, this hypothesis is developed in the development stage. Then, the rebuttal, or the refutal of the main counter argument or arguments. Then, again, development of the rebuttal. This is followed by an example, and ends with a summary. This is a very basic structure, but it gives you a bird-eye-view of how a proper argumentative essay can be built.

Structure of an argumentative essay

Writing an argumentative essay (for a class, a news outlet, or just for fun) can help you improve your understanding of an issue and sharpen your thinking on the matter. Using researched facts and data, you can explain why you or others think the way you do, even while other reasonable people disagree.

argumentative essay on the use of internet

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an explanatory essay that takes a side.

Instead of appealing to emotion and personal experience to change the reader’s mind, an argumentative essay uses logic and well-researched factual information to explain why the thesis in question is the most reasonable opinion on the matter.  

Over several paragraphs or pages, the author systematically walks through:

  • The opposition (and supporting evidence)
  • The chosen thesis (and its supporting evidence)

At the end, the author leaves the decision up to the reader, trusting that the case they’ve made will do the work of changing the reader’s mind. Even if the reader’s opinion doesn’t change, they come away from the essay with a greater understanding of the perspective presented — and perhaps a better understanding of their original opinion.

All of that might make it seem like writing an argumentative essay is way harder than an emotionally-driven persuasive essay — but if you’re like me and much more comfortable spouting facts and figures than making impassioned pleas, you may find that an argumentative essay is easier to write. 

Plus, the process of researching an argumentative essay means you can check your assumptions and develop an opinion that’s more based in reality than what you originally thought. I know for sure that my opinions need to be fact checked — don’t yours?

So how exactly do we write the argumentative essay?

How do you start an argumentative essay

First, gain a clear understanding of what exactly an argumentative essay is. To formulate a proper topic sentence, you have to be clear on your topic, and to explore it through research.

Students have difficulty starting an essay because the whole task seems intimidating, and they are afraid of spending too much time on the topic sentence. Experienced writers, however, know that there is no set time to spend on figuring out your topic. It's a real exploration that is based to a large extent on intuition.

6 Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay (Persuasion Formula)

Use this checklist to tackle your essay one step at a time:

argumentative essay on the use of internet

1. Research an issue with an arguable question

To start, you need to identify an issue that well-informed people have varying opinions on. Here, it’s helpful to think of one core topic and how it intersects with another (or several other) issues. That intersection is where hot takes and reasonable (or unreasonable) opinions abound. 

I find it helpful to stage the issue as a question.

For example: 

Is it better to legislate the minimum size of chicken enclosures or to outlaw the sale of eggs from chickens who don’t have enough space?
Should snow removal policies focus more on effectively keeping roads clear for traffic or the environmental impacts of snow removal methods?

Once you have your arguable question ready, start researching the basic facts and specific opinions and arguments on the issue. Do your best to stay focused on gathering information that is directly relevant to your topic. Depending on what your essay is for, you may reference academic studies, government reports, or newspaper articles.

‍ Research your opposition and the facts that support their viewpoint as much as you research your own position . You’ll need to address your opposition in your essay, so you’ll want to know their argument from the inside out.

2. Choose a side based on your research

You likely started with an inclination toward one side or the other, but your research should ultimately shape your perspective. So once you’ve completed the research, nail down your opinion and start articulating the what and why of your take. 

What: I think it’s better to outlaw selling eggs from chickens whose enclosures are too small.
Why: Because if you regulate the enclosure size directly, egg producers outside of the government’s jurisdiction could ship eggs into your territory and put nearby egg producers out of business by offering better prices because they don’t have the added cost of larger enclosures.

This is an early form of your thesis and the basic logic of your argument. You’ll want to iterate on this a few times and develop a one-sentence statement that sums up the thesis of your essay.

Thesis: Outlawing the sale of eggs from chickens with cramped living spaces is better for business than regulating the size of chicken enclosures.

Now that you’ve articulated your thesis , spell out the counterargument(s) as well. Putting your opposition’s take into words will help you throughout the rest of the essay-writing process. (You can start by choosing the counter argument option with Wordtune Spices .)

argumentative essay on the use of internet

Counter argument:

argumentative essay on the use of internet

There may be one main counterargument to articulate, or several. Write them all out and start thinking about how you’ll use evidence to address each of them or show why your argument is still the best option.

3. Organize the evidence — for your side and the opposition

You did all of that research for a reason. Now’s the time to use it. 

Hopefully, you kept detailed notes in a document, complete with links and titles of all your source material. Go through your research document and copy the evidence for your argument and your opposition’s into another document.

List the main points of your argument. Then, below each point, paste the evidence that backs them up.

If you’re writing about chicken enclosures, maybe you found evidence that shows the spread of disease among birds kept in close quarters is worse than among birds who have more space. Or maybe you found information that says eggs from free-range chickens are more flavorful or nutritious. Put that information next to the appropriate part of your argument. 

Repeat the process with your opposition’s argument: What information did you find that supports your opposition? Paste it beside your opposition’s argument.

You could also put information here that refutes your opposition, but organize it in a way that clearly tells you — at a glance — that the information disproves their point.

Counterargument: Outlawing the sale of eggs from chickens with too small enclosures will negatively affect prices and sales.
BUT: Sicknesses like avian flu spread more easily through small enclosures and could cause a shortage that would drive up egg prices naturally, so ensuring larger enclosures is still a better policy for consumers over the long term.

As you organize your research and see the evidence all together, start thinking through the best way to order your points.  

Will it be better to present your argument all at once or to break it up with opposition claims you can quickly refute? Would some points set up other points well? Does a more complicated point require that the reader understands a simpler point first?

Play around and rearrange your notes to see how your essay might flow one way or another.

4. Freewrite or outline to think through your argument

Is your brain buzzing yet? At this point in the process, it can be helpful to take out a notebook or open a fresh document and dump whatever you’re thinking on the page.

Where should your essay start? What ground-level information do you need to provide your readers before you can dive into the issue?

Use your organized evidence document from step 3 to think through your argument from beginning to end, and determine the structure of your essay.

There are three typical structures for argumentative essays:

  • Make your argument and tackle opposition claims one by one, as they come up in relation to the points of your argument - In this approach, the whole essay — from beginning to end — focuses on your argument, but as you make each point, you address the relevant opposition claims individually. This approach works well if your opposition’s views can be quickly explained and refuted and if they directly relate to specific points in your argument.
  • Make the bulk of your argument, and then address the opposition all at once in a paragraph (or a few) - This approach puts the opposition in its own section, separate from your main argument. After you’ve made your case, with ample evidence to convince your readers, you write about the opposition, explaining their viewpoint and supporting evidence — and showing readers why the opposition’s argument is unconvincing. Once you’ve addressed the opposition, you write a conclusion that sums up why your argument is the better one.
  • Open your essay by talking about the opposition and where it falls short. Build your entire argument to show how it is superior to that opposition - With this structure, you’re showing your readers “a better way” to address the issue. After opening your piece by showing how your opposition’s approaches fail, you launch into your argument, providing readers with ample evidence that backs you up.

As you think through your argument and examine your evidence document, consider which structure will serve your argument best. Sketch out an outline to give yourself a map to follow in the writing process. You could also rearrange your evidence document again to match your outline, so it will be easy to find what you need when you start writing.

5. Write your first draft

You have an outline and an organized document with all your points and evidence lined up and ready. Now you just have to write your essay.

In your first draft, focus on getting your ideas on the page. Your wording may not be perfect (whose is?), but you know what you’re trying to say — so even if you’re overly wordy and taking too much space to say what you need to say, put those words on the page.

Follow your outline, and draw from that evidence document to flesh out each point of your argument. Explain what the evidence means for your argument and your opposition. Connect the dots for your readers so they can follow you, point by point, and understand what you’re trying to say.

As you write, be sure to include:

1. Any background information your reader needs in order to understand the issue in question.

2. Evidence for both your argument and the counterargument(s). This shows that you’ve done your homework and builds trust with your reader, while also setting you up to make a more convincing argument. (If you find gaps in your research while you’re writing, Wordtune can help.

argumentative essay on the use of internet

3. A conclusion that sums up your overall argument and evidence — and leaves the reader with an understanding of the issue and its significance. This sort of conclusion brings your essay to a strong ending that doesn’t waste readers’ time, but actually adds value to your case.

6. Revise (with Wordtune)

The hard work is done: you have a first draft. Now, let’s fine tune your writing.

I like to step away from what I’ve written for a day (or at least a night of sleep) before attempting to revise. It helps me approach clunky phrases and rough transitions with fresh eyes. If you don’t have that luxury, just get away from your computer for a few minutes — use the bathroom, do some jumping jacks, eat an apple — and then come back and read through your piece.

As you revise, make sure you …

  • Get the facts right. An argument with false evidence falls apart pretty quickly, so check your facts to make yours rock solid.
  • Don’t misrepresent the opposition or their evidence. If someone who holds the opposing view reads your essay, they should affirm how you explain their side — even if they disagree with your rebuttal.
  • Present a case that builds over the course of your essay, makes sense, and ends on a strong note. One point should naturally lead to the next. Your readers shouldn’t feel like you’re constantly changing subjects. You’re making a variety of points, but your argument should feel like a cohesive whole.
  • Paraphrase sources and cite them appropriately. Did you skip citations when writing your first draft? No worries — you can add them now. And check that you don’t overly rely on quotations. (Need help paraphrasing? Wordtune can help. Simply highlight the sentence or phrase you want to adjust and sort through Wordtune’s suggestions.)
  • Tighten up overly wordy explanations and sharpen any convoluted ideas. Wordtune makes a great sidekick for this too 😉

argumentative essay on the use of internet

Words to start an argumentative essay

The best way to introduce a convincing argument is to provide a strong thesis statement . These are the words I usually use to start an argumentative essay:

  • It is indisputable that the world today is facing a multitude of issues
  • With the rise of ____, the potential to make a positive difference has never been more accessible
  • It is essential that we take action now and tackle these issues head-on
  • it is critical to understand the underlying causes of the problems standing before us
  • Opponents of this idea claim
  • Those who are against these ideas may say
  • Some people may disagree with this idea
  • Some people may say that ____, however

When refuting an opposing concept, use:

  • These researchers have a point in thinking
  • To a certain extent they are right
  • After seeing this evidence, there is no way one can agree with this idea
  • This argument is irrelevant to the topic

Are you convinced by your own argument yet? Ready to brave the next get-together where everyone’s talking like they know something about intermittent fasting , chicken enclosures , or snow removal policies? 

Now if someone asks you to explain your evidence-based but controversial opinion, you can hand them your essay and ask them to report back after they’ve read it.

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3 Strong Argumentative Essay Examples, Analyzed

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General Education

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Need to defend your opinion on an issue? Argumentative essays are one of the most popular types of essays you’ll write in school. They combine persuasive arguments with fact-based research, and, when done well, can be powerful tools for making someone agree with your point of view. If you’re struggling to write an argumentative essay or just want to learn more about them, seeing examples can be a big help.

After giving an overview of this type of essay, we provide three argumentative essay examples. After each essay, we explain in-depth how the essay was structured, what worked, and where the essay could be improved. We end with tips for making your own argumentative essay as strong as possible.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses evidence and facts to support the claim it’s making. Its purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with the argument being made.

A good argumentative essay will use facts and evidence to support the argument, rather than just the author’s thoughts and opinions. For example, say you wanted to write an argumentative essay stating that Charleston, SC is a great destination for families. You couldn’t just say that it’s a great place because you took your family there and enjoyed it. For it to be an argumentative essay, you need to have facts and data to support your argument, such as the number of child-friendly attractions in Charleston, special deals you can get with kids, and surveys of people who visited Charleston as a family and enjoyed it. The first argument is based entirely on feelings, whereas the second is based on evidence that can be proven.

The standard five paragraph format is common, but not required, for argumentative essays. These essays typically follow one of two formats: the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model.

  • The Toulmin model is the most common. It begins with an introduction, follows with a thesis/claim, and gives data and evidence to support that claim. This style of essay also includes rebuttals of counterarguments.
  • The Rogerian model analyzes two sides of an argument and reaches a conclusion after weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

3 Good Argumentative Essay Examples + Analysis

Below are three examples of argumentative essays, written by yours truly in my school days, as well as analysis of what each did well and where it could be improved.

Argumentative Essay Example 1

Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because libraries are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to read because they won’t have to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click on what they want to read and read it from wherever they are. They could also access more materials because libraries won’t have to buy physical copies of books; they can simply rent out as many digital copies as they need.

However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital books and resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print resources. A study done on tablet vs book reading found that people read 20-30% slower on tablets, retain 20% less information, and understand 10% less of what they read compared to people who read the same information in print. Additionally, staring too long at a screen has been shown to cause numerous health problems, including blurred vision, dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than reading print does. People who use tablets and mobile devices excessively also have a higher incidence of more serious health issues such as fibromyalgia, shoulder and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle strain. I know that whenever I read from my e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to feel tired and my neck hurts. We should not add to these problems by giving people, especially young people, more reasons to look at screens.

Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer is book lending. Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and many are only available if the library has a physical location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space, giving people a way to converse with their neighbors, holding classes on a variety of topics, providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community connected. One neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted community events such as play times for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting spaces for senior citizens, over a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their community. Similarly, a Pew survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of American adults feel that closing their local library would have a major impact on their community. People see libraries as a way to connect with others and get their questions answered, benefits tablets can’t offer nearly as well or as easily.

While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would encourage people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the myriad issues surrounding them. It would also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that people have come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an important part of the community network that they could never be replaced by a simple object.

The author begins by giving an overview of the counter-argument, then the thesis appears as the first sentence in the third paragraph. The essay then spends the rest of the paper dismantling the counter argument and showing why readers should believe the other side.

What this essay does well:

  • Although it’s a bit unusual to have the thesis appear fairly far into the essay, it works because, once the thesis is stated, the rest of the essay focuses on supporting it since the counter-argument has already been discussed earlier in the paper.
  • This essay includes numerous facts and cites studies to support its case. By having specific data to rely on, the author’s argument is stronger and readers will be more inclined to agree with it.
  • For every argument the other side makes, the author makes sure to refute it and follow up with why her opinion is the stronger one. In order to make a strong argument, it’s important to dismantle the other side, which this essay does this by making the author's view appear stronger.
  • This is a shorter paper, and if it needed to be expanded to meet length requirements, it could include more examples and go more into depth with them, such as by explaining specific cases where people benefited from local libraries.
  • Additionally, while the paper uses lots of data, the author also mentions their own experience with using tablets. This should be removed since argumentative essays focus on facts and data to support an argument, not the author’s own opinion or experiences. Replacing that with more data on health issues associated with screen time would strengthen the essay.
  • Some of the points made aren't completely accurate , particularly the one about digital books being cheaper. It actually often costs a library more money to rent out numerous digital copies of a book compared to buying a single physical copy. Make sure in your own essay you thoroughly research each of the points and rebuttals you make, otherwise you'll look like you don't know the issue that well.

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Argumentative Essay Example 2

There are multiple drugs available to treat malaria, and many of them work well and save lives, but malaria eradication programs that focus too much on them and not enough on prevention haven’t seen long-term success in Sub-Saharan Africa. A major program to combat malaria was WHO’s Global Malaria Eradication Programme. Started in 1955, it had a goal of eliminating malaria in Africa within the next ten years. Based upon previously successful programs in Brazil and the United States, the program focused mainly on vector control. This included widely distributing chloroquine and spraying large amounts of DDT. More than one billion dollars was spent trying to abolish malaria. However, the program suffered from many problems and in 1969, WHO was forced to admit that the program had not succeeded in eradicating malaria. The number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa who contracted malaria as well as the number of malaria deaths had actually increased over 10% during the time the program was active.

One of the major reasons for the failure of the project was that it set uniform strategies and policies. By failing to consider variations between governments, geography, and infrastructure, the program was not nearly as successful as it could have been. Sub-Saharan Africa has neither the money nor the infrastructure to support such an elaborate program, and it couldn’t be run the way it was meant to. Most African countries don't have the resources to send all their people to doctors and get shots, nor can they afford to clear wetlands or other malaria prone areas. The continent’s spending per person for eradicating malaria was just a quarter of what Brazil spent. Sub-Saharan Africa simply can’t rely on a plan that requires more money, infrastructure, and expertise than they have to spare.

Additionally, the widespread use of chloroquine has created drug resistant parasites which are now plaguing Sub-Saharan Africa. Because chloroquine was used widely but inconsistently, mosquitoes developed resistance, and chloroquine is now nearly completely ineffective in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 95% of mosquitoes resistant to it. As a result, newer, more expensive drugs need to be used to prevent and treat malaria, which further drives up the cost of malaria treatment for a region that can ill afford it.

Instead of developing plans to treat malaria after the infection has incurred, programs should focus on preventing infection from occurring in the first place. Not only is this plan cheaper and more effective, reducing the number of people who contract malaria also reduces loss of work/school days which can further bring down the productivity of the region.

One of the cheapest and most effective ways of preventing malaria is to implement insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs).  These nets provide a protective barrier around the person or people using them. While untreated bed nets are still helpful, those treated with insecticides are much more useful because they stop mosquitoes from biting people through the nets, and they help reduce mosquito populations in a community, thus helping people who don’t even own bed nets.  Bed nets are also very effective because most mosquito bites occur while the person is sleeping, so bed nets would be able to drastically reduce the number of transmissions during the night. In fact, transmission of malaria can be reduced by as much as 90% in areas where the use of ITNs is widespread. Because money is so scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa, the low cost is a great benefit and a major reason why the program is so successful. Bed nets cost roughly 2 USD to make, last several years, and can protect two adults. Studies have shown that, for every 100-1000 more nets are being used, one less child dies of malaria. With an estimated 300 million people in Africa not being protected by mosquito nets, there’s the potential to save three million lives by spending just a few dollars per person.

Reducing the number of people who contract malaria would also reduce poverty levels in Africa significantly, thus improving other aspects of society like education levels and the economy. Vector control is more effective than treatment strategies because it means fewer people are getting sick. When fewer people get sick, the working population is stronger as a whole because people are not put out of work from malaria, nor are they caring for sick relatives. Malaria-afflicted families can typically only harvest 40% of the crops that healthy families can harvest. Additionally, a family with members who have malaria spends roughly a quarter of its income treatment, not including the loss of work they also must deal with due to the illness. It’s estimated that malaria costs Africa 12 billion USD in lost income every year. A strong working population creates a stronger economy, which Sub-Saharan Africa is in desperate need of.  

This essay begins with an introduction, which ends with the thesis (that malaria eradication plans in Sub-Saharan Africa should focus on prevention rather than treatment). The first part of the essay lays out why the counter argument (treatment rather than prevention) is not as effective, and the second part of the essay focuses on why prevention of malaria is the better path to take.

  • The thesis appears early, is stated clearly, and is supported throughout the rest of the essay. This makes the argument clear for readers to understand and follow throughout the essay.
  • There’s lots of solid research in this essay, including specific programs that were conducted and how successful they were, as well as specific data mentioned throughout. This evidence helps strengthen the author’s argument.
  • The author makes a case for using expanding bed net use over waiting until malaria occurs and beginning treatment, but not much of a plan is given for how the bed nets would be distributed or how to ensure they’re being used properly. By going more into detail of what she believes should be done, the author would be making a stronger argument.
  • The introduction of the essay does a good job of laying out the seriousness of the problem, but the conclusion is short and abrupt. Expanding it into its own paragraph would give the author a final way to convince readers of her side of the argument.

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Argumentative Essay Example 3

There are many ways payments could work. They could be in the form of a free-market approach, where athletes are able to earn whatever the market is willing to pay them, it could be a set amount of money per athlete, or student athletes could earn income from endorsements, autographs, and control of their likeness, similar to the way top Olympians earn money.

Proponents of the idea believe that, because college athletes are the ones who are training, participating in games, and bringing in audiences, they should receive some sort of compensation for their work. If there were no college athletes, the NCAA wouldn’t exist, college coaches wouldn’t receive there (sometimes very high) salaries, and brands like Nike couldn’t profit from college sports. In fact, the NCAA brings in roughly $1 billion in revenue a year, but college athletes don’t receive any of that money in the form of a paycheck. Additionally, people who believe college athletes should be paid state that paying college athletes will actually encourage them to remain in college longer and not turn pro as quickly, either by giving them a way to begin earning money in college or requiring them to sign a contract stating they’ll stay at the university for a certain number of years while making an agreed-upon salary.  

Supporters of this idea point to Zion Williamson, the Duke basketball superstar, who, during his freshman year, sustained a serious knee injury. Many argued that, even if he enjoyed playing for Duke, it wasn’t worth risking another injury and ending his professional career before it even began for a program that wasn’t paying him. Williamson seems to have agreed with them and declared his eligibility for the NCAA draft later that year. If he was being paid, he may have stayed at Duke longer. In fact, roughly a third of student athletes surveyed stated that receiving a salary while in college would make them “strongly consider” remaining collegiate athletes longer before turning pro.

Paying athletes could also stop the recruitment scandals that have plagued the NCAA. In 2018, the NCAA stripped the University of Louisville's men's basketball team of its 2013 national championship title because it was discovered coaches were using sex workers to entice recruits to join the team. There have been dozens of other recruitment scandals where college athletes and recruits have been bribed with anything from having their grades changed, to getting free cars, to being straight out bribed. By paying college athletes and putting their salaries out in the open, the NCAA could end the illegal and underhanded ways some schools and coaches try to entice athletes to join.

People who argue against the idea of paying college athletes believe the practice could be disastrous for college sports. By paying athletes, they argue, they’d turn college sports into a bidding war, where only the richest schools could afford top athletes, and the majority of schools would be shut out from developing a talented team (though some argue this already happens because the best players often go to the most established college sports programs, who typically pay their coaches millions of dollars per year). It could also ruin the tight camaraderie of many college teams if players become jealous that certain teammates are making more money than they are.

They also argue that paying college athletes actually means only a small fraction would make significant money. Out of the 350 Division I athletic departments, fewer than a dozen earn any money. Nearly all the money the NCAA makes comes from men’s football and basketball, so paying college athletes would make a small group of men--who likely will be signed to pro teams and begin making millions immediately out of college--rich at the expense of other players.

Those against paying college athletes also believe that the athletes are receiving enough benefits already. The top athletes already receive scholarships that are worth tens of thousands per year, they receive free food/housing/textbooks, have access to top medical care if they are injured, receive top coaching, get travel perks and free gear, and can use their time in college as a way to capture the attention of professional recruiters. No other college students receive anywhere near as much from their schools.

People on this side also point out that, while the NCAA brings in a massive amount of money each year, it is still a non-profit organization. How? Because over 95% of those profits are redistributed to its members’ institutions in the form of scholarships, grants, conferences, support for Division II and Division III teams, and educational programs. Taking away a significant part of that revenue would hurt smaller programs that rely on that money to keep running.

While both sides have good points, it’s clear that the negatives of paying college athletes far outweigh the positives. College athletes spend a significant amount of time and energy playing for their school, but they are compensated for it by the scholarships and perks they receive. Adding a salary to that would result in a college athletic system where only a small handful of athletes (those likely to become millionaires in the professional leagues) are paid by a handful of schools who enter bidding wars to recruit them, while the majority of student athletics and college athletic programs suffer or even shut down for lack of money. Continuing to offer the current level of benefits to student athletes makes it possible for as many people to benefit from and enjoy college sports as possible.

This argumentative essay follows the Rogerian model. It discusses each side, first laying out multiple reasons people believe student athletes should be paid, then discussing reasons why the athletes shouldn’t be paid. It ends by stating that college athletes shouldn’t be paid by arguing that paying them would destroy college athletics programs and cause them to have many of the issues professional sports leagues have.

  • Both sides of the argument are well developed, with multiple reasons why people agree with each side. It allows readers to get a full view of the argument and its nuances.
  • Certain statements on both sides are directly rebuffed in order to show where the strengths and weaknesses of each side lie and give a more complete and sophisticated look at the argument.
  • Using the Rogerian model can be tricky because oftentimes you don’t explicitly state your argument until the end of the paper. Here, the thesis doesn’t appear until the first sentence of the final paragraph. That doesn’t give readers a lot of time to be convinced that your argument is the right one, compared to a paper where the thesis is stated in the beginning and then supported throughout the paper. This paper could be strengthened if the final paragraph was expanded to more fully explain why the author supports the view, or if the paper had made it clearer that paying athletes was the weaker argument throughout.

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3 Tips for Writing a Good Argumentative Essay

Now that you’ve seen examples of what good argumentative essay samples look like, follow these three tips when crafting your own essay.

#1: Make Your Thesis Crystal Clear

The thesis is the key to your argumentative essay; if it isn’t clear or readers can’t find it easily, your entire essay will be weak as a result. Always make sure that your thesis statement is easy to find. The typical spot for it is the final sentence of the introduction paragraph, but if it doesn’t fit in that spot for your essay, try to at least put it as the first or last sentence of a different paragraph so it stands out more.

Also make sure that your thesis makes clear what side of the argument you’re on. After you’ve written it, it’s a great idea to show your thesis to a couple different people--classmates are great for this. Just by reading your thesis they should be able to understand what point you’ll be trying to make with the rest of your essay.

#2: Show Why the Other Side Is Weak

When writing your essay, you may be tempted to ignore the other side of the argument and just focus on your side, but don’t do this. The best argumentative essays really tear apart the other side to show why readers shouldn’t believe it. Before you begin writing your essay, research what the other side believes, and what their strongest points are. Then, in your essay, be sure to mention each of these and use evidence to explain why they’re incorrect/weak arguments. That’ll make your essay much more effective than if you only focused on your side of the argument.

#3: Use Evidence to Support Your Side

Remember, an essay can’t be an argumentative essay if it doesn’t support its argument with evidence. For every point you make, make sure you have facts to back it up. Some examples are previous studies done on the topic, surveys of large groups of people, data points, etc. There should be lots of numbers in your argumentative essay that support your side of the argument. This will make your essay much stronger compared to only relying on your own opinions to support your argument.

Summary: Argumentative Essay Sample

Argumentative essays are persuasive essays that use facts and evidence to support their side of the argument. Most argumentative essays follow either the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model. By reading good argumentative essay examples, you can learn how to develop your essay and provide enough support to make readers agree with your opinion. When writing your essay, remember to always make your thesis clear, show where the other side is weak, and back up your opinion with data and evidence.

What's Next?

Do you need to write an argumentative essay as well? Check out our guide on the best argumentative essay topics for ideas!

You'll probably also need to write research papers for school. We've got you covered with 113 potential topics for research papers.

Your college admissions essay may end up being one of the most important essays you write. Follow our step-by-step guide on writing a personal statement to have an essay that'll impress colleges.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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525 Internet Essay Topics & Examples

Information technologies hold great importance in our life. If you need to find a good title for your ICT research assignment, check out these internet-related topics written by our experts .

🏆 Best Topics about Internet & Essay Examples

👍 good internet-related topics, 💡 simple & easy internet research topics, 🔍 good research topics about internet, 📌 unique topics: internet and technology, 🥇 most interesting internet topics for essays, ❓ internet research questions for students.

  • The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse? In light of this reality of the two faces of the internet, there has risen the question of whether the internet is a blessing or a curse to mankind.
  • Internet Positive and Negative Impacts on Education The computer and the internet were the most significant inventions of the 21st century and these two inventions have changed the way human beings operate. Tsai asserts that the internet has increased the ability of […]
  • Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping The advent of internet shopping in the late nineties created a revolution in the retail industry. It is possible to know about the sizes, features, and costs of products in online and traditional shopping.
  • The Internet Revolution and Digital Future Technology Essay The revolution have been characterized by rapid developments in the information technology with the computers becoming,faster,cheaper,powerful and smaller and this has information technology to be part and parcel of lives as it is embedded in […]
  • Has the Internet Positively or Negatively Impacted Human Society? Argumentative Essay The information available on the internet has contributed to the rise in violence in our society. Advocates of the internet assert that is has contributed to the growth and development of society.
  • Internet Trolling, Its Impact and Suggested Solutions The vast extent of internet trolling is partially explained by the diversity of the topics in which trolls are engaged. Celebrities are among the most popular trolling victims because they have a lot of admirers […]
  • Internet Journalism: The Impact of New Media The third impact of the internet on journalism is that audiences have gained the authority to choose the information they want to consume.
  • Internet Usage: Major Theoretical Theories The world has become a global village, thanks to the development and rapid growth of the internet. Such social systems are used by the dominant group in society to promote their own interests and guard […]
  • Reliability of Information Found on the Internet One should be critical when evaluating the information found online and use reliable sources for research if one does not want to put his or her research efforts under threat.
  • The Concept of Internet Etiquette (Netiquette) Internet etiquette (Netiquette) are established practices whose main purpose is to make the internet experience pleasant and suitable to all people.
  • Are Children Smarter Because of the Internet? In a study conducted regarding the influence of the Internet on children from low income families, it was indicated that children who had access to the Internet recorded high scores compared to those who had […]
  • The Invention of Internet Several events led to the advancement of the internet in the world today. The level of computer literacy in the world played a leading role in the advancement of internet as teachers and students wanted […]
  • Internet Banking Effects and Results Internet banking has certainly played a key role in the increase and ease of banking services the world over and the reasons for this are not difficult to discern.
  • The Internet: Arguments Against and for It The internet has brought a lot of changes to the information industry. This is because there are a number of deficiencies found on the net that leave it wanting.
  • Reasons for Surfing the Internet Since the invention of the internet, it is agreeable that it is one of the most important innovations to be made by man.
  • Solutions to Effects of Excessive Internet Use on Youth The education system and parents have a major role in the effort to reduce excessive use of the internet among the youth.
  • Threats of the Internet Such digital giants as Google and Amazon have access to all the personal and behavioral information that we share on the net, and though they claim to use for our benefit, the algorithms of the […]
  • The Role of the Internet in Business The thesis statement The role of the Internet in business cannot be neglected, as the World Wide Web can be regarded as one of the most powerful and effective tools for conducting business.
  • Problems of Internet Addiction Disorder Another possible cause of a reduction in the brain capabilities is the kind of the materials that one is exposed to on the Internet.
  • Responsibilities of Internet Users Along with so many advantages of the internet, there are some very serious disadvantages that are associated with the usage of the internet and it is the responsibility of the internet users to be aware […]
  • Effects of Internet Addiction on Family Relationships Among Teenagers In the modern society, cyber bullying refers to the instances where the individual uses the internet to interfere with the rights and freedoms of others.
  • Negative Effects of the Internet on Business The quality and quantity of the information provided on a web site is critical in helping the customer make the decision to purchase a product.
  • Using the Internet to Solve a Crime The purpose of my research is to highlight some of the uses of the internet in solving crime. The Internet can be used to carry out crime mapping, this is a strategy used by law […]
  • What Are the Benefits of the Internet? The Internet has been one of the biggest inventions that have made a great difference in the lives of many people in the world.
  • Impact of Language on the Internet According to Andrews, “This new version of language that bears a correlation to the internet is more of a linguistic vandalism, in which spelling of the English language turns out to be extremely superfluous, and […]
  • Internet and Social Networks’ Impact on Religion The issues surrounding the effects of the Internet on religion have been the center of controversy of the debate on the topic with scholars belonging to either of the sides seeking to substantiate their arguments.
  • History of the Internet In the late 1960s, some proponents of the internet conducted research to find out the likelihood of interconnection between systems using the ARPANET.
  • Internet and Its Effects on Business It is also applied in the Internet business just like in any other form of business where the customer-vendor relation is the crucial determiner of the course of the business. The customers have to be […]
  • The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet In the history of humankind, the field of communication has developed a lot, and one of the most outstanding innovations is conceivable the Internet.
  • New Media Technologies and Its Role in the Perception of the Internet The new media involve the convergence of media and technology; it is the replacement of analogue technology with the digital one.
  • The Importance of Graphic Design Related to Internet Communication However, to establish the strength of the argument in relation to the importance of online communication, it is crucial to discuss on the definition of graphic design, the functions of graphic design, the functions of […]
  • Privacy and Safety on the Internet The user should have knowledge of how his or her information is being collected, the purpose of collection and how the party is going to use the information. The final security measure to ensure safety […]
  • Impacts of Internet on International Business The paper will look into the history and development of internet usage in international business, factors that led to the development of internet usage in international business as well as the effects that this internet […]
  • The Impact of the Internet in Culture and Daily Habits The growth of the internet has greatly improved our culture and society today with services it offers in the enrichment of our lives at work and at home.
  • The Internet Access Problems in Villages To connect the Internet in this way, only a SIM card is needed if a user plans to access the network only from a mobile device.
  • Internet vs. Books: Main Source of Information For example, the reader can jump to references or graphics and from there to the relevant section in the body of the text.
  • How has Internet Changed the Workplace and Organisations? The dramatic effects of the internet on organizations and the workplace have captured the headlines of the media and organizations have been experimenting with the ways of exploiting the internet for the maximum advantage.
  • Effects of Internet Use in Society Excessive use of the internet causes a person to feel lonely and depressed. The internet has provided the society with a lot of information both good and bad.
  • Free Speech on the Internet Overview The growing pace in the use of the internet for expression has been elating: it is a renewal of the fight for democracy and the restoration of egalitarianism.
  • Internet Technology and Impact on Human Behavior It was the Internet that allowed the phenomenon of cyberbullying to emerge, the essence of which is the harassment of someone on the Internet by large groups of users.
  • The Internet Impacts on the Travel Industry This research paper focuses on the impact that the internet has had in the lives of consumers and business units in the current society in the travel industry.
  • Effects of Internet and World Wide Web on Globalization Before trying to understand the effects of the World Wide Web and the Internet on globalization, it is worth explaining the meaning of the term globalization in order to get the clear picture of the […]
  • The Effect of Internet Addiction on Students’ Emotional and Academic Performance The participants will be told the goals and objectives of the study, and their experience of Internet addiction will be clarified.
  • Internet Evolution and Structure The creation of the network was meant to be a security measure to ensure that data and information belonging to ARPA remained within the system.
  • Need for Internet Censorship and its Impact on Society The negative impacts of internet have raised many concerns over freedom of access and publishing of information, leading to the need to censor internet.
  • The Role of the Internet for Modern Society Five years later, the internet was plagued by worms which deterred the development and use of the internet altogether. Parents should therefore restrict access to internet websites through the use of internet tools.
  • Mobile Wireless Internet vs. Wi-Fi The following paper will compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of regular 3G and Wi-Fi connections to the World Wide Web.
  • The Role of Internet in Knowledge Management The internet is a harmonizing factor for the enhancement of open and simple standards that are necessary in setting the agenda for the development of commercial software.
  • Internet Promotion in Business The internet is providing both the business owners and the buyers an opportunity to improve their interactions to the benefits of the consumer as well as the seller.
  • The Development of the Internet Licklider of MIT suggested a way of linking computers in 1962, and relocated to DARPRA later in the same year to champion the efforts of developing it.
  • Do People Believe Everything in the Internet? To this end, it has demonstrated that most internet users do not question the credibility of the information they get online.
  • The Internet’s Good and Bad Sides On the other hand, the internet is the root of some of the bad evils that have befallen many people, true and the internet is the beginning of what Gibson described as a place to […]
  • YouTube, the Internet and the Future of Movies The paper will analyze the dynamics in one of these industries i.e.the movie industry and what it needs to do in order to cope with these challenges from the digital world.
  • Government Regulation of the Internet Regulation of the internet will eliminate or reduce the anonymity of using the internet and therefore help to reduce the exploitation of women and girls.
  • The Internet Cafe’s Business Idea There will be negotiations with other internet cafes in order to get discounted browsing charges to suit the needs of the clients.
  • How Internet Communication Helps Graphic Designers to Spread Their Art Works to the World While most of the contemporary graphic designers are thankful for the contribution that internet communication has made in the graphic design industry, others mostly the ‘old school’ designers abhor the internet due to the problems […]
  • Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) For a VoIP network to meet the needs of a user, it has to guarantee the quality of service. Since the management of a VoIP system requires implementation of numerous safety procedures, it is hard […]
  • Powerful Impacts of the Use of Gadgets and the Internet Overall, researchers highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of smartphones and the Internet, but most tend to focus on the bright side of the situation, and I support their view.
  • Internet of Things for Home: Benefits and Challenges The IoT can be characterized as the unification of the virtual and real worlds with the help of many devices and sensors connected to the same network and providing interaction between machines and people.
  • Internet as the Most Consulted Source of Information The nature of the publication is also identified whether it is a scholarly or a popular and also whether the research methodology is illustrated.
  • Internet Services, Connections, and Limitations The third limitation of the current internet is language development limitations related to web development tools such as HTML, which are not efficient in the development of databases and online communication platforms.
  • The Impact of the Internet on Traditional Crime How the Internet helps the criminals The advancement in the modern computer technologies and the Internet has put radical changes in the concept of information and the mode of exchanging the data.
  • News on the Internet Is Trustworthy The use of the internet as a source of news has been on the rise with the increased reach of the internet.
  • Media and Internet: Accurate vs. Inaccurate However, you need to be careful and use only verified information. The Internet: I have decided to search the Internet for more information.
  • Will TV Succumb to the Internet? However, in the late 1990s, cable and satellite companies acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Of course, the companies expand their brands bringing them to the Web.
  • Cheating in the Internet The presence of ecommerce has increased the number of fraudulent deals in the internet. However, with the increasing number of transactions in the internet, fraudsters are taking advantage of the situation.
  • The Internet and Web 3: Problems and Solutions Transitioning from Web 1 to Web 3 covers several decades, and the progress in this direction is guided by the need to modify numbers and the status of participants alongside the operations, available to them. […]
  • Defamation on the Internet One of the factors that have facilitated the increase of cyberlibel cases is the ever-increasing popularity in the use of computers and the internet.
  • Impacts of Internet on Children Health and Addiction Among the worst hit are children, who find themselves addicted to it given that they are in the process of development. To help nurture children’s behavior, parents should educate them on the safety and risks […]
  • Internet: Past and Present Keeping in view the plethora of uses that the internet has been made to foster, the beginnings of the system emerge as somewhat of a startling revelation.
  • Internet as a Basis for “Knowledge Monopoly” As a result of the internet being incorporated in day to day lives, this study will try to investigate whether “Internet creates favorable conditions for monopolization of knowledge, the role of the Internet, as a […]
  • Internet Coverage and Its Improvement in Rural Areas It is agreeable that many companies are ready to ensure the remotest parts of the world have free internet access. The internet is accessible to more people in the world.
  • College Students: Internet Addiction The authors also note that the use and access of the internet have increased in the past decades. Additionally, the authors argue that conflicts between parents and young individuals are likely to result in internet […]
  • Government Internet Surveillance: Privacy Threat Perhaps the most troubling applications of the internet in current times are the mass surveillance efforts by the US government. The internet age has dramatically increased the ability of government to engage in surveillance.
  • Graphic Design and the Internet With the invention of the internet in the twentieth century, communication has been redefined. For a majority of businesses, the internet is the best innovation that has enhanced the communication front.
  • Interconnection Between the Lives of Human Beings and the Internet Of particular interest is online dating which has captivated the mind of millions of people around the world, triggering debates, discussions and research in order to have a clear understanding of the fundamentals of online […]
  • Internet Marketing: Advantages and Disadvantages The ability of internet marketing and in particular website marketing to reach a broad range of consumers has made it become a very common marketing medium in many current businesses. On the other hand, website […]
  • Benefits of the Internet One of the uniqueness of using internet to communicate is that, there are no barriers, as people can connect easily at any place and all the time.
  • How the Internet Affect the Young People Procedure A survey will to be conducted to examine the use of internet among the young people. Solutions to the Effects of Internet on Young People Internet is a two edged sword, one edge good […]
  • Impact of Cyber Crime on Internet Banking The paper evaluates a con article on ‘The impact of cybercrime on e-banking’ [1]. H2: Identity theft will have a negative impact on the adoption of electronic banking.
  • The Impacts of Internet Telephony (VoIP) Internet telephony has impacted many lives and has led to ethical, social, and political issues in the contemporary world. In a nutshell, internet telephony has impacted many lives in the ethical, social, and political facets […]
  • Ethics and the Internet Ethics refer to the fundamental rights of others and the regulations which govern how we should behave in relation to others when our behaviors are affecting others.
  • Internet as a Communication Tool In my form, I have undertaken tests which were both related to the application for writing positions The tests are SDIS and involve speed and critical thinking which if not taken with the care of […]
  • Ajman Net Internet Cafe Marketing Plan The firm will acquire state of the art furniture to encourage customers to spend more time in the establishment. This approach will be used to improve the value proposition of services the firm offers in […]
  • Internet and Children Under the Age of 11 Internet can be a powerful tool for learning and sharing ideas and it can definitely contribute to the development of children and adolescents. In order to understand the influence of Internet on children, one should […]
  • Analysis of Internet Forecasting Industry Late Start = Late Finish of the following activity Late Finish = Late Strat Duration of the project The calculation of LS and LF should be conducted from the end of the diagram network. By […]
  • Parental Control as a Guarantee of Children’s Safety on the Internet Parents are liable for the safety of children on the Net and therefore are obliged to control and expand their knowledge in this field constantly.
  • Limiting Access to the Internet for Children The development of technologies and digitalization of the world contributed to the increased availability of data and the spread of the Internet.
  • Internet: Wimax vs. Fiber Optics The research will also seek to identify the level of awareness regarding the viability of both WiMAX and fiber optics technology in the deployment of access networks.
  • Using the Internet for Learning A group can then be formed and invitations should be sent to all the students so that they can subscribe to the groups.
  • The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Internet Another negative aspect that raises opposition to COPPA and CIPA is the impossibility of controlling children in places other than home or a school library.
  • Computer Science: Threats to Internet Privacy Allegedly, the use of the Internet is considered to be a potential threat to the privacy of individuals and organizations. Internet privacy may be threatened by the ease of access to personal information as well […]
  • Internet Marketing in the Airlines Industry The paper examines the effect of the internet on the company’s marketing and the company’s ability to effectively explore the internet in the evolving role of marketing.
  • Internet Files Sharing The tutor and the student are now able to communicate and exchange file over the internet in form of lessons, instructions, and assignments online.
  • Newspaper Industry and the Internet Most of the readers are now finding the news in newspapers somewhat stale considering that the news on the internet is instant, fresh and immediate.
  • Aspects of Internet Censorship by the Government When one try to access a website the uniform resource locator is checked if it consists of the restricting keyword, if the keyword is found in the URL the site become unavailable.
  • The Internet’s Advantages and Disadvantages The resent and the most influential invention in the life of people is the creation of the Internet. Nowadays, the invention of the Internet allows people monitor the work of the departments abroad, run relationships […]
  • Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) In fact, the application protocols are the visible user interface to the protocol suite of the TPC/IP and always communicate with other internet hosts applications.
  • Internet Addiction in Modern Society Good internet connectivity coupled with the fact that the cost of using the internet is very cheap make people to spent countless hours in the internet.
  • E-Commerce and Internet The internet has changed the way people conduct businesses in the world. Another advantage of the internet is that a firm has access to large customer base.
  • Internet and Smartphone Effect In this essay, I analyze the arguments advanced by experts in five different publications in order to investigate the consequences of internet and smartphone use on human behavior and relationships during the COVID-19 epidemic.
  • Analysis of Internet Friendship Issues Despite the correlation that develops on the internet, the question of whether social media can facilitate and guarantee the establishment of a real friend has remained a key area of discussion.
  • ADSL Internet Connection Technology The speed is also affected by the type and the thickness of the wire the thicker the wire the higher the speed.
  • The Influence of Pornography on the Internet This paper argues that the sexualized images and messages presented in pornography are affecting the development of children and young people and influencing cultural norms in such as way that teenaged boys that spend hours […]
  • Two Inventions Comarison: Telephone and Internet However, the history of the first inventor of the telephone is shrouded in mystery with the name of Elisha Gray attached with the invention of the first telephone.
  • The Lululemon Brand Internet Strategies The brand’s Internet communications embody the philosophy of the company and the language of its Internet communications and site mirror the corporate culture. As a rule, Lululemon makes scant use of the Internet in its […]
  • Internet Issues: Teens, Social Media and Privacy I argue that it is our understanding of privacy that provides the solution and that the Internet is the biggest factor that influences it.
  • Who Should Be Allowed to Filter the Internet? In this study, I shall discuss several issues pertaining filtering and censoring among them being: countries rights or needs to filter the internet, internet, how the Great Firewall of China reflects a particular form of […]
  • Internet Should Be Free From All Government Control A report by the group of eight most developed countries in the world, the G 8, indicates that information and communication technology is one of the most powerful forces that will play a decisive role […]
  • The Role of Blogs and Social Networking in Altering Our Daily Usage of the Internet The advanced use of the internet or the World Wide Web in the contemporary world has had a revolutionary impact to the people all over the world, thus helping to improve their lives in a […]
  • Internet Recruiting In spite of the increased use of internet in the department of human resource, few researches have been involved in investigating the outcomes of internet in HR processes.
  • Addressing Aggression on the Internet With Introspection One of the best ways to address this issue is introspection because this practice makes people aware and in control of their own thoughts, intentions, and emotions.
  • The Development of the Internet Space For example, how moral it is to use ad blockers, considering the fact that online advertising is necessary to pay for content that users get for free.
  • Navigating the Digital Realm: Unveiling the Role of ICANN in Internet Governance Since the founding of the ICANN in 1998, the IANA has reported to the ICANN and continues to be responsible for coordinating the essential elements of the continuity of the Internet.
  • Entry Into a New Market With Established Internet Service Providers The framework is useful in this case, given the complexity of the issues the company had to address as it entered a highly competitive market.
  • Internet Fraud: Importance of Problem-Solving This is because the criminal information systems have not documented any modifications, and the statistics are less effective due to underreporting of internet fraud.
  • The Internet of Things: Revolutionizing Connectivity, Privacy, and Security The information that the devices may collect is first stored in the internal memory of a device and then sent into the gateway of IoT.
  • The Internet Impact on Interpersonal Communication This paper aims to answer the question, “How does the Internet affect human relationships and communication processes?” Despite the evident benefits of the Internet in human life, like time-saving and the content of exchanged information, […]
  • Government’s Role in Regulating Internet Content Although technological advancements have been beneficial to human beings, the Internet has led to increased crime rates and infringement of basic human rights.
  • Internet Service Providers Market Structure All market structures are determined by the criteria of the number of firms in the industry, the similarity of products they sell, and ease of entry and exit.
  • Internet of Things in Agriculture According to Chalimov, farmers can control such indicators as soil contamination, the proportion of harmful substances in the air, the level of water pollution, and many other characteristics that are crucial to address timely.
  • Blockchain and Internet-of-Things in Agriculture The intensification of the deep penetration of information technology in all areas of life has naturally led to the development of strategies to use it everywhere to optimize processes.
  • Internet Media Platforms and Their Role in Society Platforms for new media have emerged as significant spaces for both social and political interaction and they have gained recognition for their advanced aspects, on the one hand.
  • Protecting Brands and Trademarks on the Internet A most effective way to protect one’s trademark is to proactively register the trademark or brand by securing relevant hashtags, account names, and pages.
  • The Internet of Things (IoT) Security The security of iOS devices is ensured primarily by maintaining the integrity of the code, verifying the authenticity of users and devices, and assigning ownership rights to users.
  • The History and Significance of Internet The role of the Internet is quite significant in the development of modern society and the construction of a new social reality.
  • Poor Access to the Internet in the United States The plan for the project is to provide a list of areas currently in need of 3G/4G Internet and the general requirements for equipment necessary to succeed in connection.
  • Aspects of the Internet of Things Thus, it is essential to explore the implications for people and companies caused by the convergence of IoT, cloud computing, mobile computing, and electronic business.
  • Internet of Things Solution of Petco Moreover, the authorization of each of the employees and a clear automated distribution of powers for them is conveniently supported with the help of IoT.
  • Internet Sources: An Evidence-Based Internet Source Due to the evolution of the media, as well as the appearance of the Internet in people’s lives, it is safe to say that the problem of information hunger for the average person as a […]
  • Public Libraries Should Filter Internet Pornography A place to grow your knowledge and wind down is every student’s favorite activity to do as libraries can aid is relieving stress, as the computers are used to look up various types of sources […]
  • Public Libraries and Internet Pornography In this case, considering the detrimental effect of Internet pornography, including illegal content, encouragement of violence, and exposure of minors and other visitors to disturbing content, such material should be filtered.
  • Internet Impact on Children’s Intelligence and Socialization Ninety percent of children today already have an online history once they reach the age of two, and most use the internet regularly by the age of seven or eight.
  • Internet of Things and Key Security Requirements The authentication component involves the IoT system’s ability to verify users’ and devices’ identities before guaranteeing access to information from individual devices or the right to operate such devices remotely in group tasks.
  • The Internet Should Remain Open Source The Internet must remain open source, as it eliminates obstacles amongst innovators, allowing for the free flow of information within a society, which is necessary for innovative, scientific, and technical growth. The open-source movement is […]
  • Security Attacks on the Internet of Things As such, a network layer attack is a process that aims to disrupt these network components within the IoT space. A code injection attack is defined as a process that aims to deposit malicious executable […]
  • Connecting Rural Villages and Remote Locations to the Internet The purpose of this report is to provide recommendations for which solution to choose to address the problem of connecting rural villages and remote locations to the Internet.
  • Machine Learning for Internet of Things Devices Hussain et al.justify the use of ML for IoT by pointing out the vast amount of data that IoT gathers. Other recent papers, such as the one by Diedrichs et al, focus on the more […]
  • Political Economy of Chinese Internet Companies This is significant because, while the online world in China is well-known to be trapped behind the Great Wall, there may be another half of the issue that has been comparatively overlooked: the big three […]
  • Internet of Things Security Issues The creation of intelligent devices provoked further development in this area, which led to the emergence of the Internet of things.
  • Application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the Healthcare Industry The Internet of Things is one of the most innovative concepts implemented in diverse spheres of production, technology, sales, communication, and medicine.
  • Modern Internet and Hate Speech One of the significant reasons hate speech on the Internet and in general in the media is quickly and firmly entrenched in its latent resolution for most people.
  • Discussion of Internet of Things Internet of Things implies connecting devices into a chain and allowing them to collect and analyze information. IoT systems operate in real-time and usually consist of some “smart” devices and cloud platforms.
  • Warehouse Logistics: The Use of Internet of Things The goal of this review is to analyze various methods of warehouse logistics optimization in the context of IoT implementation. One example of this is the use of sensors to monitor the activities in the […]
  • On Internet Addiction in Swift’s Satirical Style In the modern world, it is difficult to find any person who is unfamiliar with the Internet. People began to abuse the Internet and live a virtual life, forgetting the real world.
  • Government Restriction on the Internet The restriction by the government has been enforced to promote the limitation of the content display that is only necessary for the user.
  • Conspicuous Consumption and American Advertising on the Internet In the age of digital technologies and the Internet, the blogosphere, tied to advertising, at the heart of which is conspicuous consumption, is relevant.
  • The Internet Protocol Address Management SolarWinds IP Address Manager is currently one of the best IP tracking systems as it includes all of the essentials, such as automated IP management via subnet discovery and IP scanning.
  • Improving Internet Connectivity by Installing Wireless Network The report concludes with the expected project outcomes where the efficacy of the recommended option on addressing low internet connectivity is examined.
  • Critical Evaluation of “Shame About the Internet” Andreas Kappes proposes to focus on the actions themselves, their nature, and premises to figure out deeper motives and causes of the transgression and trying to develop ways of its solution.
  • Should the Internet Be Regulated? The French government’s attempts to control the internet were unsuccessful because of similar arguments and the failure and lack of jurisdiction.
  • BOK Matrix Summary of Internet of Things The objective of this paper is to discuss and understand how the internet of things has its application in transportation and logistics management.
  • “What Does the Internet Teach Your Teen About Sex?” Summary The main idea of this article in the second paragraph is an attempt to show and tell parents, relatives, and teachers about the “danger” that lies in waiting for children.
  • Is the Internet Affecting People Negatively? Opponents of the Internet tend to view and criticize it one-dimensionally as a source of mindless entertainment, whereas in reality, it is rich with potential uses that have their unique properties.
  • Internet Protocol Telephony and Voice Communication As today IP telephony is increasingly replacing traditional telephone networks due to the low cost of a call, the comfort of configuration, and high quality of communication, this topic was considered.
  • Food4all Firm’s Smart Sensors and the Internet of Things This report analyses how Food4all can integrate IoT and smart sensor technology in the preparation, storage, packaging, and delivery of food parcels to ensure the safety and quality of their products.
  • Internet Access Management in The 9-Iron Country Club Due to seasonality, emphasis on the local network, and a large number of clients with relatively small employees, the club has a problem achieving the necessary level of competitiveness.
  • Internet and Globalization Effects on Marketing The first strategy is determining the best category of online retailing in order to make every marketing strategy successful. The marketer should ensure the availed information for online services or goods is easy to read.
  • Internet Resource Evaluation To this end, it is clear that the website I have evaluated is a useful resource for getting financial information on the type of investment to pursue.
  • Bots and Their Role in Internet Regulation
  • Internet Movies: Review and Analysis
  • Coronavirus Pandemic in Modern Internet Slang
  • The Supreme Court’s Internet Sales Tax Decision
  • Art, Pornography and Feminism and Internet Influence
  • Avoiding Potentially Disastrous Internet Startups
  • Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” in the Age of the Internet
  • Internet of Medical Things
  • Social Interaction and Everyday Life in the Internet Age
  • Security Measures for Internet of Things Devices
  • Use of the Internet by Small Businesses
  • Internet Explorer: Software Reviewing
  • Phishing Victimization on Internet Banking Awareness
  • Free Speech and the Internet
  • Internet Hacking and Cybersecurity Conundrum Analysis
  • Internet Hacking and Cybersecurity Conundrum
  • Esophageal Cancer: Credible Internet Information
  • ICT Technologies: Internet Economics Discussion
  • Internet Recruiting and Job Posting: Amazon, Schneider, Indeed, Simplyhired and CapraTek
  • Welcome to Internet Marketing Ventures
  • Internet Revenue Contribution at Sandvik Steel
  • Internet Pornography Exposure and Women’s Attitude Towards Extramarital Sex
  • Project for Wireless Internet Access for Hostel (WIAH)
  • Using the Internet for Analyzing Financial Data
  • Evaluating Internet Health Information
  • Contracts with Internet Service Providers
  • The Second Internet Bubble Overview
  • Law and Internet in the United States
  • Child Pornography on the Internet: How to Combat?
  • Internet Contracts Overview and Analysis
  • The Internet of Things in the Clinical Segment
  • The Effectiveness of Online Dispute Resolution to Resolve Internet Related Disputes
  • Internet Protocol Version 6: Growth, Benefits, Security
  • Authentication and Securing Personal Information in Untrusted Internet
  • Policing Internet Fraud in Saudi Arabia
  • Internet Resources: Choosing of Credible Website
  • Legal and Ethical Ramifications of Internet Adoptions
  • Internet and the Society: Positive and Negative Aspects
  • Critique to Website the Internet Mental Health
  • Network Security. Profound Use of the Internet
  • Using the Internet for Master’s Programmes
  • The Concepts of Identity Theft via the Internet
  • Brand Loyalty Through the Internet
  • Internet, Architecture, and Urban Planning: William J. Mitchell’s “City of Bits”
  • DSL Technologies and Other Internet Networks
  • The Internet and Freedom of Speech: Ethics and Restrictions
  • Open Standards, Internet, and Free Software
  • ClearSky Airways Inflight Internet Strategy – Going Global or Not
  • The Internet is a Democratic Technology
  • Clubs’ Relationship With Fans and Internet
  • Internet Streams Types: General Analysis
  • Use of the Information Technology to Solve Crimes: DNA Tests and Biometrics
  • China and the Internet: Assessment of the Situation
  • Globalization and the Internet: Change of Organized Crime
  • Are Internet and Google Making Us Stupid?
  • “Relationships of Problematic Internet Use With Depression”: Study Strengths and Weaknesses
  • Online Gaming Addiction Intervention
  • Impact of Internet Use, Online Gaming, and Gambling Among College Students
  • Thinking, Learning, and Literacy in the Internet Age
  • Internet Retail: Economy and Future Trends
  • Internet Function and Potential in a Democratic Society
  • Reasoning on the Internet: Defense and Explanation
  • Application Specific Internet of Things by Ang & Seng
  • Health Care Technology: The Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Internet Use and Well-Being Among College Students
  • The Work “Does the Internet Make You Dumber?” by Nicholas Carr
  • Internet Resources: Wcag 2.1 Guidelines
  • Impact of the Internet on Psychological Wellbeing
  • The Internet and Poverty in Society
  • Internet Impact on Journalism: Print vs. Online Newspapers
  • Internet of Things in a Work of an Urban Planning Specialist
  • The Decision of PIPA and SOPA and Internet Privacy
  • Positive Effects of Internet in the Western Society
  • The Government Blocks Access to Internet Websites
  • The Internet and Autobiographical Memory
  • The Influence of Internet Trade on Electronics Buying Behaviour
  • The Use of the Internet and Library by Employees
  • Internet Culture, E-Commerce, and New Economy
  • The Internet, Globalization and Network Society
  • File Transfer Protocol in the Internet Environment
  • Net Neutrality: Freedom of Internet Access
  • Ethical Issues of Internet Privacy
  • Risk and Trust – Internet Relationships
  • The Researching the Matters of the Internet
  • Chomsky’s Consent and Internet Communications
  • Communication Technologies: From Telegraph to the Internet
  • Why Internet Filters Should Be Used?
  • Internet Security: Why It Is So Important Nowadays
  • Internet Advertising and Behavioral Targeting
  • Internet Child Pornography Issue Review
  • Internet in Terms of National Politics
  • Internet Communications and Simple Syndication
  • Internet and Traditional Newspaper Industry
  • Freedom of Speech and the Internet
  • Vulnerabilities in Internet Protocol v.6
  • Use of Internet-Based Electronic Data Interchange in Companies
  • Technology and Innovation-Microsoft and Internet
  • International Technical Collaboration Using Internet
  • DSL Internet vs. Broadband Internet
  • Effects of the Internet in the United States
  • Internet Is Considered a Disruptive Not a Revolutionary Technology
  • Internet and Ethical Challenges
  • Telstra: Internet and Mobile Phone Services Market Research
  • Internet Drawbacks Upon Youth
  • The Internet: Introduction to Networking
  • The Role of Internet in Formation of Popular Culture
  • Twitter: An Internet Communication Phenomenon
  • Jeff Kosseff: The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet
  • The Internet of Things: A Brief Research
  • Cloud Services in the Internet-Related Industries
  • The Internet of Things: Technical Description
  • Education Redefined Under the Influence of the Internet
  • Internet Influence on the CDM Process
  • The Internet at Individual and Societal Levels
  • Internet is Radicalizing Us: Evidence Presentation
  • Mobile Video Internet Search and Summary
  • Internet Marketing Consultation for a Shoes Shop
  • Cyber Theft and Internet Security Measures
  • Internet, Virtual Reality, and World Wide Web
  • S-Border Gateway Protocol for Internet Security
  • Voice over Internet Protocol Supplier’s Decisions
  • Computer and Internet Security Notions
  • Telecommunications, the Internet and Wireless Technology
  • Internet Marketing: Strategy, Implementation and Practice
  • Internet Information and Its Reliability
  • The Ozi Native Clothing Company: Pricing on the Internet
  • The Internet as the Recruitment Platform
  • E-Commerce Directive for Internet Service Providers
  • Internet for Learning and Knowledge Acquisition
  • How Web 3.0 Is Changing the Internet?
  • The Internet of Things: Securing Embedded Code
  • The Development of Internet Finance in China
  • Global Internet Usage and Nutrition Applications
  • Internet Engineering Task Force and Standards
  • Internet Replacing Books as Learning Tool
  • Internet of Things Security in Smart Cities
  • Cisco’s Social Strategy Toward Internet of Everything
  • Internet in American Politics, Society, Economics
  • “Amazon Laws” and Taxation of Internet Sales
  • Internet Monopolies: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
  • Victoria University’s Internet Marketing
  • Internet Marketing and Business Models
  • Free Internet and Traffic Jams Elimination
  • Internet Security: Trust or Control?
  • Internet Crime Prevention by Law and E-Business
  • Cover Design Under Internet Technology Impact
  • Recommender Systems of Internet
  • Internet and Mobile Devices for Hotel Management
  • Internet, Economic Development and EU Debt Crisis
  • Internet Retail Service Quality and Consumer Repurchase
  • The Internet as a Information Systems Innovation
  • Internet Media Safety Application and Administration
  • Railway IT Systems: Internet of Things
  • Internet Gambling and Its Impact on the Youth
  • Expression on the Internet: Vidding, Copyright and Freedom
  • Air France Company’s Internet Marketing
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The Internet Argumentative Essay

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Information , Internet , World , Children , Video Games , Life , Development , Family

Words: 1300

Published: 12/05/2019

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The internet has been hailed as one of the greatest innovations of the 20th century and has caused what can only be termed as a revolution. The internet is available in most countries worldwide and is available to over 120 million people globally, which is approximately 2% of the world’s population (Saisan et al., 1). This is because the internet has been the driving force of information technology and is responsible for the major lifestyle change that has been experienced in the world today. The internet possesses two characteristics which have been vital to its success: it is the richest source of information; it provides a fast and interactive form of communication. These two characteristics have literally transformed the world into a global village. The internet has become indispensible in the running of our daily lives in virtually all sectors of our lives. The use of the internet should however be limited, because overusing the internet can have negative effects especially on social relations with other people and child development. Each person uses the internet in a different manner because it is a huge information resource (Saisan et al., 1). Some people choose to use it for entertainment, work, games, or research. Certain psychologists argue that overusing the internet can result in internet addiction. The internet is also being used by many people to relieve stress, anxiety, or depression. After a difficult day, the internet is popularly used to entertain and comfort. (Dreyfus 50) points out that for some people who develop internet addiction; it becomes an unhealthy means of coping with negative emotions. Instead of dealing with negative emotions, the internet is used as a means of escape. The internet addict develops an unhealthy dependence on the internet and is unable to deal with unfavorable emotions healthily. The internet presents a great opportunity for the propagation of other compulsive behaviors. For example, it offers an opportunity for addiction to online gaming. Online gaming is a big industry and it is projected to reach $ 19 billion by the year 2013 (Guan and Subrahmanyam 1). A research study by Cheng et al., (2), was carried out to investigate life satisfaction experienced by gamers on different levels of personality dimensions. It was found that the neuroticism often experienced by these gamers negatively affected the satisfaction they derived from life. It was therefore concluded that there was a negative relationship between the frequency of internet surfing and satisfaction in life (Cheng et al., 3).Teenagers are much more vulnerable to internet addiction as found by (Saisan et al., 2). This is because adolescence is a difficult period characterized by self-exploration and identity crisis. Teenagers who are facing developmental challenges are more likely to use the internet as a coping mechanism. Other compulsive behaviors which can be encouraged by the internet include addiction to pornography and cybersex. The addict may be engaged in visiting adult sites, adult chat-rooms, or fantasy sites. In addition, one may become addicted to cyber relationships where friends on messaging, social networking sites, and chat-rooms are more significant than real life friends. Other studies however, reveal that computer gaming assists in cognitive development of the individual (Dreyfus 52). These studies outline that cyber relationships, social networking, and online gaming are relaxing activities which do not necessarily result in addiction. These studies, however, do concur that excessive use of the internet may have negative effects on relationships (Dreyfus 52).

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Young children need an adult’s supervision to validate the information that they have heard, felt, and seen (Guan and Subrahmanyam 1). Unfortunately, the internet does not contain any form of controls or checks to verify reliability of information. This means that children who use the internet are bombarded by information and are therefore their ability to differentiate between what is real and what is unreal, because reality in the virtual world cannot be ascertained (Akin and Iskender 138).

Some school children who are highly engaged in online activities demonstrate academic problems which may be a direct result of these activities. These students lack skills in writing because they plagiarize the projects. Moreover, the informal language used popularly in emails spills over in formal writing in essays among high school students (Saisan et al., 1).

It can be debated that the internet has been an enriching resource for intellectual and innovative work. However, the internet is often abused by children who neglect vital social activities like chores, quality time with adults, and homework. Dreyfus suggests that internet users will progressively lose the skills and the forbearance to conduct themselves favorably in the real world (53). In addition, the proliferation of illicit content on the internet like hate speech, pornography, bias, violence, and inappropriate content is easily accessible by children.

Pornography is an especially sensitive concern especially with regards to children because they are often drawn into this illegal and lucrative trade (Dreyfus 53). Pornography destroys the innocence of children by exposing them to adult activities and also harms them physically especially where they are exposed to pedophiles or child traffickers. It encourages the children to lose their inhibitions, teaches them to engage in sexual activities, or used to blackmail the children.

Online victimization and sexual solicitation are grave concerns whose incidences have been increasing steadily in the past years. A form of online victimization is online harassment where the victim is threatened or subjected to offensive behavior which is of a non-sexual nature (Guan and Subrahmanyam 1). Cyber bullying is also a form of harassment which can be described as the online mode of traditional bullying. Sexual solicitation occurs when one invites an individual to divulge sexual information, participate in sexual acts, or sexual talk. A recent study amongst 10-15 year olds reports that approximately 33 percent had experienced online harassment while another 15 percent had received sexual solicitations (Guan and Subrahmanyam 1).

It cannot be denied that the internet has revolutionized and contributed greatly to global development. Business can now be conducted across the world from any location in real time, and one can communicate with a friend in a faraway land cheaply, and in real time too. However, these remarkable developments have also been responsible for the proliferation of social decay and risks with which it is associated. Overusing the internet can result in internet addiction, and it also propagates other forms of addiction like online gaming and cybersex. The internet can also damage the cognitive development of a child due to the lack of adult validation of what the child is exposed to online. It blurs the sense of reality in exposed children, thus distorting his/her cognitive development. It also contributes to unhealthy social development as more time is spent online than in the real world. This stunts ability to relate to others in the real world. The internet is also a lucrative ground for cyber bullies, sexual solicitors, and pedophiles preying on innocent children or people. Due to these factors, it is important that the use of the internet be limited or regulated so as to control the negative effects it may propagate.

Works Cited

Akin Ahmet and Iskender Murat. Internet Addiction and Depression, Anxiety and Stress. International Online Journal of Educational Resources, 2011, 3 (1): 138-148 Cheng Shu, Tsai Hsing, Tzung Yeh. The Risk Factors of Internet Addiction-A Survey of University Freshmen. Psychiatry Research, 2009, 167, (3):294-299 Dreyfus Hubert. On the Internet. 2001, New York: Routledge, 2009.Print. Shu-Sha Angie Guan and Kaveri Subrahmanyam. Youth Internet Use: Risks and Opportunities: Negative Aspects of Internet Use. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2009; 22(4):351-356. Web. 23 November 2011. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/704888_2 Saisan Joanna, Smith Melinda, Segal Jeanne . Internet Addiction. Web. 23 November 2011. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/internet_cybersex_addiction.htm

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argumentative essay on the use of internet

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Does the Internet Bring People Closer Together or Further Apart? The Impact of Internet Usage on Interpersonal Communications

1 Business School, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China

Guangjie Ning

2 HSBC Business School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China

Qianqian Liu

Associated data.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS, http://cgss.ruc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm (accessed on 25 September 2022). Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for this study. Data are also available from the authors with the permission of the CGSS.

The complementarity interference (CI) model suggests that the Internet may either inhibit or facilitate interpersonal communications. This paper empirically examines the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal interactions, using a micro dataset from China to answer whether the Internet brings people closer together or further apart. The empirical results demonstrate, first, that Internet usage significantly increases both the time and frequency of people’s communications with their family and friends, rather than causing them to feel more disconnected and isolated. Holding other factors constant, for each one-standard-deviation increase in Internet usage, weekly communications with family members increases by an average of 102.150 min, while there is an average increase of 54.838 min in interactions with friends. These findings as to its positive effects are robust when using other regression models and interpersonal contact measures, as well as the instrumental variable method. Second, Internet usage also contributes to decreased loneliness; it exerts this effect primarily by improving people’s interactions with their family members. However, communications with friends do not significantly mediate such impacts. Third, the positive role of Internet usage on communications is more prominent for people with more frequent online socialization and self-presentation, better online skills, younger age, higher educational level, and who are living in urban areas. In addition, the beneficial effects of Internet usage are larger for communications with family members in the case of migrants. Therefore, in the context of the rapid development of information technology, the network infrastructure should be improved to make better use of the Internet to facilitate interpersonal communications and promote people’s wellness.

1. Introduction

Whether Internet usage brings people closer together or further apart is an important but unanswered question. With the rapid development of information technology, the Internet has been widely used in various areas almost all over the world. According to Internet World Stats, compared with the year 2000, the number of global Internet users in 2022 has increased by 14.16 times. By 31 July 2022, there were 5.47 billion Internet users in the world out of the 7.93 billion global population, and the penetration rate has steadily risen to 68.98% [ 1 ]. The rapid taking up of the Internet has profoundly changed human society in multiple aspects. On the macro level, it has reduced transaction costs, promoted industrial upgrading [ 2 , 3 ], and driven economic development [ 4 , 5 ]. On the micro level, the Internet has tremendous impacts on people’s daily lives and has changed their lifestyles, habits, attitudes and preferences [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. However, the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is still unclear. The complementarity interference (CI) model suggests that the Internet may either inhibit or facilitate interpersonal interactions.

On the one hand, in terms of the interference aspects, there may be a crowding-out effect of Internet usage on interpersonal contacts. Using the Internet may divert people’s attention from communicating with family and friends to other activities, such as playing online games, surfing websites, watching online videos, and live streaming. This may lead people to ignore real-life communications [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. In addition, excessive addiction to the Internet can also trigger people’s depression, anxiety, and emotional impulsivity, resulting in a poor psychological state and even social phobias [ 12 , 13 ]. This may also cause people to reduce their interpersonal interactions. Based on this finding, it has been hypothesized that the more time spent on the Internet, the fewer interpersonal communications there will be.

On the other hand, in terms of complementarity, the Internet may facilitate interpersonal communications by reducing communication costs and providing opportunities for teleconferencing. Before the popularization of modern information technologies, people could only communicate by meeting face to face. Later, the development of communication technologies, such as the telegraph and telephone, eliminated the geographical boundaries of interpersonal contacts and made remote communication a reality. However, traditional communication technologies can only transmit information via voice and text messages and have the drawback of high cost. The Internet has greatly reduced the cost of communications, shortened the distances between disparate groups, and has even made it possible for people to meet via video conferencing [ 14 ]. In addition, Internet technologies have brought a variety of emerging communication platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom, and WeChat, helping people to communicate more conveniently at a much lower cost [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. On the basis of this evolution, it is hypothesized that the more time people spend on the Internet, the more interpersonal communications there are.

Interpersonal communications are essential to building social networks, which is also a necessary channel to help people establish social trust and enhance their sense of belonging and happiness [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, in the context of the rapid development of Internet technology, it is of great importance to clarify the impact of the Internet on interpersonal communications. If Internet usage can facilitate interpersonal interactions at a lower cost and in a more convenient way, then we should make full use of this technology to promote communications. Conversely, if the Internet reduces interpersonal communications, then necessary measures should be taken to alleviate its negative effects on interpersonal interactions while utilizing the benefits of the Internet in other aspects. Therefore, this paper aims to empirically examine the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, using the Chinese General Social Survey. The robustness and endogeneity of the results are also tested from multiple perspectives. On this basis, we further explore the impact of Internet usage on people’s feelings of loneliness and the mediating role of interpersonal communications. In addition, the heterogeneities of the Internet’s effects are systematically investigated.

Compared with the existing literature, the contributions of this paper are mainly reflected in two aspects. First, this paper enriches the research concerning the Internet’s impacts on people. Most of the existing literature examines the influence of the Internet from the points of view of working conditions, psychological states, emotions, health, preferences, and lifestyles [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], while little research has been conducted concerning its effect on interpersonal communications. Second, this paper deepens our understanding of the influencing factors of interpersonal interactions, from the new perspective of modern information technology. Existing studies in the field of social communications have mainly focused on the effects of demographic characteristics, social identities, culture, and so on [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], lacking any assessment of the impact of the Internet.

This paper aims to examine the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, as well as to investigate the heterogeneities in its effect, to systematically answer whether the Internet brings people closer together or pushes them further apart. This study is carried out following the research logic of “literature review—theoretical framework—empirical tests—further discussion—heterogeneity analysis”. A systematic literature review is given in Section 2 . Based on the literature, a theoretical framework using the complementarity interference (CI) model is presented in Section 3 , wherein the hypotheses are proposed. To test the theory, the data, variables, and empirical results are presented in Section 4 and Section 5 . Section 6 further discusses the impact of Internet usage on loneliness and the mediating role of interpersonal communications, as well as the Internet’s effects in other respects. Section 7 explores the heterogeneities of the impact of Internet usage. Section 8 summarizes all the conclusions drawn in the above sections, Section 9 identifies the theoretical and practical implications, and Section 10 discusses the study’s limitations and further research directions.

2. Literature Review

2.1. the impact of internet usage on people’s lives.

With the advancement of information technology, the Internet has become more and more indispensable in people’s daily lives. The Internet has brought tremendous positive impacts in multiple aspects. For example, Internet-based telecommuting is becoming a convenient and increasingly popular mode of work around the world [ 28 ]. Moreover, studies have found that self-presentation on social media helps users to achieve higher psychological well-being [ 29 ]. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the positive impact of self-presentation on social media on psychological well-being is more significant in those with higher self-esteem [ 30 ]. Through online comparisons, people are able to generate benign envy, which is helpful for inspiration [ 22 , 31 ].

However, it has also been found that the Internet has mixed and heterogeneous impacts on its users. For example, while for girls, daily Internet use was not associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms [ 32 ], for boys, a positive association between the two factors did exist [ 33 ]. Interestingly, a study based on a Chinese sample found a significantly positive association between Internet use and mental health [ 34 ]. Many studies have also identified jealousy as one of the main symptoms of poorer states of mental health resulting from Internet use [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. In addition to psychological health, existing studies find a significant negative association between mobile Internet use and self-rated health [ 34 ]. Moreover, online games are one of the most significant applications of the Internet and their impacts are controversial. It is found that frequent exposure to violent online games tends to be associated with an increase in aggressive behavior, desensitization, and physiological arousal, while also showing a decrease in empathy [ 38 ]. However, other studies have found that the correlation between online games and aggressive behaviors is not significant [ 23 , 24 ]. In addition, practical games are widely used in multiple areas of education, healthcare, sustainability projects, training, and consultancy, but their effectiveness varies due to differences in the designs [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].

Furthermore, Internet usage has also led to the emergence of Internet addiction, a new clinical disorder [ 44 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased people’s Internet online usage and a rising prevalence of Internet addiction has been reported among people in various occupations [ 45 , 46 ]. Although Internet addiction has not been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA), existing studies have shown that it is a new type of serious mental disorder [ 47 ]. There are heterogeneities in the severity and prevalence of Internet addiction. Regionally, Internet addiction has a greater impact on Internet users in developed areas, such as in Europe and the United States [ 48 , 49 ]. Studies also found that those with greater neuroticism are more likely to become addicted to the Internet [ 50 , 51 ]. Heterogeneity also exists in terms of gender, age, and social class. For example, people with a higher social class are less likely to experience Internet addiction [ 49 , 52 ].

2.2. Factors Affecting Interpersonal Communications

Interpersonal communication is a complex social process and is closely related to people’s well-being. Evidence shows that those with a high level of communication skills have a better mental health status compared to their counterparts [ 53 , 54 ]. Other studies have found that higher interpersonal stress is associated with stronger symptoms of insomnia, which, in turn, is associated with poorer mental health status [ 55 , 56 ]. In addition to its important impact on the psychological well-being of individuals, interpersonal communication also plays an essential role in building strong family relationships [ 57 , 58 ]. The importance of interpersonal communication is also reflected in many other aspects, including improving learning ability, obtaining job opportunities, promoting career development, etc. [ 59 , 60 ].

Regarding the factors affecting interpersonal communications, studies have found that age, gender, culture, social background, working characteristics, geographical distance, and technology exert a level of influence [ 25 , 58 , 61 ], although there is disagreement about the exact impact of these factors. For example, ethnic background affects interpersonal communications to some extent, mainly because people with different backgrounds are more likely to experience cultural misunderstandings with each other [ 26 ]. It has already been mentioned above that interpersonal communication can influence mental health and physical activities. Likewise, the two factors also affect interpersonal interaction. A study using a sample of college students found that social anxiety had a negative impact on their interpersonal communication skills, while psychological resilience played a mediating role between them, and perceived social support from teachers and classmates further moderated their psychological resilience [ 62 ]. It was also found that physical activity can facilitate family communication among family members because it provides more opportunities for them to meet [ 27 , 63 ].

In general, existing studies demonstrate that interpersonal communications are of great importance in promoting people’s mental health and helping families to build resilience. At the same time, interpersonal communications are conducive to acquiring new knowledge and playing a better role in both the family and society. Moreover, demographic, work, human capital, and social characteristics are the main factors that influence interpersonal communication.

2.3. Possible Relationship between Internet Usage and Interpersonal Communication

As mentioned above, interpersonal communication plays an important role in people’s lives, work, and careers; nowadays, it can be achieved by face-to-face interactions as well as via the Internet. At the same time, the Internet has both pros and cons in many aspects. So how does the Internet impact interpersonal communications? Based on existing research, it is believed that frequent exposure to the Internet distracts users from their offline lives [ 64 ]. For example, the use of mobile Internet via smartphones distracts parents from spending time with their children and undermines the communication between parents and children [ 65 ]. Furthermore, another study shows that children’s Internet use is also associated with a decrease in their participation in family activities. When people are overly dependent on the Internet, online activities can replace offline social connections with their family members and friends [ 11 , 66 ]. Internet addiction has also been proven to lead to a reduction in people’s social and interpersonal skills [ 47 , 67 ], which may further reduce their communications with family and friends. Although the effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications has not been directly studied, the aforementioned studies imply that time spent on the Internet may crowd out interpersonal interaction, to some extent.

However, other studies point to the possible positive effects of Internet usage on interpersonal communication. Thanks to the development of Internet technology, today, text messages and voice calls are no longer the main methods for people of all ages [ 15 , 16 ]. Social networking software and group chats have become popular communication platforms [ 27 , 68 ]. Many studies have found that the use of the Internet effectively brings much convenience to interpersonal connections for both the young and old cohorts [ 69 , 70 ], which in turn can benefit people’s well-being [ 71 ]. Indeed, compared with traditional communication methods, such as letters, telegraphs and phone calls, the Internet provides innovative means of communication, such as video meetings, in a more convenient and cost-saving way. For example, WhatsApp has been shown to facilitate intergenerational family interactions [ 17 ]. Facebook helps to maintain interpersonal relationships for those who have difficulty making social connections, especially for people with low self-esteem [ 72 ].

Overall, the Internet has changed people’s lives tremendously, although its effects on interpersonal communications have not been systematically tested. In this context, it can be hypothesized from the existing research that the Internet may crowd out interpersonal communications [ 47 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ]. Nevertheless, many studies believe that the Internet reduces the cost of communication between people, offering more diverse and convenient ways to make contact [ 15 , 16 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. Therefore, it can also be speculated that the Internet may shorten the distances between people, thereby promoting interpersonal communication. However, even with theoretical analysis and the existing literature, the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal interactions is still unclear. In view of this gap in the literature, we aim to systematically investigate how the Internet affects interpersonal communication.

3. Theoretical Framework

3.1. internet usage.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communication. For the explanatory variable, time spent on the Internet is the most direct and important indicator by which to measure Internet usage; it is very intuitive and is widely used [ 11 , 67 , 73 ]. In addition, it has been applied not only to characterize how people generally use the Internet in their daily life but also to measure possible excessive Internet use and Internet addiction [ 74 ].

3.2. Interpersonal Communications

Studies have shown that communications with family members and friends are most important in people’s daily interpersonal interactions [ 75 , 76 , 77 ]. In the benchmarking analysis, time spent on communications with family and friends is used to reflect interpersonal interactions. Meanwhile, considering that the frequency of interactions is also a very important indicator for interpersonal contact, this is used for further robustness analysis. Both kinds of indicators have been applied to measure the levels of interpersonal contact in existing research [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ].

The complementarity interference (CI) model [ 53 , 82 ] of the Internet, as illustrated in Figure 1 , provides a theoretical framework for analyzing the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communication. Based on the following theoretical analysis, Internet usage may either facilitate or deteriorate interpersonal communication.

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The theoretical framework of the study.

3.3. Interference Aspects of Internet Usage

3.3.1. distracting attention.

Studies have confirmed a significantly negative correlation between online and offline activities [ 83 ]. The Internet may divert people’s attention away from interpersonal interactions to online activities, including video games, online news, short videos, live streaming, etc., leading users to neglect communications with family and friends in real life [ 10 , 66 ]. This suggests that Internet usage may shift people’s attention; there may be a crowding-out effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communication. In addition, research has also found a negative correlation between Internet usage and time spent accompanying family members [ 11 ]. Although they do not specifically examine how the Internet affects family communications, the findings imply that time spent online may reduce interpersonal interactions inside the family, to some extent. In addition, in parent–child contact, the parent’s attention is easily distracted by online activities via smartphones, resulting in compromised parent-child bonds [ 65 ].

3.3.2. Reducing Social Skills

It has been shown that people tend to establish fewer offline social networks when they are overly dependent on the Internet [ 68 ]. This may be due to the fact that Internet usage reduces people’s social and interpersonal skills [ 67 ], thereby decreasing their communications and interactions. Studies have also found that among adolescents with a higher prevalence of Internet addiction, social skills are generally poorer [ 47 ]. Moreover, Internet addiction is proven to be closely related to attention deficit disorders, further causing social phobia [ 84 ]. Another study has identified that inadequate social skills and social fears decrease interpersonal communication [ 85 ]. Consequently, Internet use may hinder interpersonal interactions by reducing people’s social skills.

3.3.3. Increasing Negative Emotions

Internet usage may trigger depression, anxiety, and impulsiveness in some people, resulting in poor psychological states and negative emotions [ 10 ]. This may also further lead to a decrease in interpersonal interactions [ 11 , 73 ]. In addition, compared with face-to-face communications, Internet-based interpersonal interactions are disadvantaged in terms of emotional transmission and are, thus, less effective in enhancing effective communication [ 53 , 83 ]. Another source of negative feelings brought about by the Internet is peer pressure. Nowadays, people tend to share their daily lives via online platforms, inadvertently causing them to make comparisons with the lives of others. This makes people more pessimistic about their body image and standard of living, resulting in increased anxiety [ 86 ]. The nervousness caused by peer pressure on the Internet leads users to be more reluctant to communicate with others in the real world.

Based on the interference aspects of Internet usage, Hypothesis 1 can be proposed:

The more hours people use the Internet, the less time they spend on interpersonal communications.

3.4. Complementarity Aspects of Internet Usage

3.4.1. reducing the cost of interpersonal communications.

Before the popularization of modern information technologies, people could only communicate face-to-face. Later, the telegraph and telephone eliminated the geographical boundaries of interpersonal contact and made remote communication a reality [ 87 ]. However, traditional communication techniques face the problem of high costs. The Internet has greatly reduced both the time and money needed for instant communication, narrowed the distances between people, and made simultaneous communication affordable. For example, compared with telephone calls, Internet-based voice calls and online meetings cost much less in time and money for people to communicate [ 14 , 88 ].

3.4.2. Enriching Communication Channels and Modes

Traditional communication technologies mainly transmit voice and text, but it is difficult for them to simulate face-to-face interactions. The Internet has spawned a variety of emerging communication channels and modes, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom, and WeChat, which can help people to replicate face-to-face interactions more realistically online [ 15 , 16 ]. For example, during the COVID-19 epidemic, various network platforms facilitated remote working and learning [ 89 ]. Without the Internet, this would have been almost unachievable. In addition, Internet-based communications help to improve the quality of people’s long-distance interactions compared to traditional methods. For example, it has been established that WhatsApp, an instant online messaging tool, can promote intergenerational communication among family members and help them build better bridges of understanding with each other [ 17 ].

3.4.3. Building Wider Social Networks

The Internet helps people overcome communication barriers in real life, especially the fear of communicating with strangers, thereby establishing broader social networks [ 90 ]. Studies have found that Internet-based social networking platforms are effective in helping people share updates and, thus, build wider social connections across age, race, gender, geography, and social class boundaries [ 70 ]. Moreover, these enlarged social networks also create positive spillover effects in other aspects, improving people’s welfare. For example, people can use social media to communicate with others on health topics, which helps them become more health-conscious and intrinsically motivated to participate in physical exercises [ 69 ]. Therefore, online social connections contribute to improving people’s well-being, as well as promoting interpersonal communication and interactions [ 71 , 91 ].

Based on the complementarity aspects of Internet usage, Hypothesis 2 can be proposed:

The more hours people use the Internet, the more time they spend on interpersonal communications.

4. Data and Measures

4.1. data source.

The data used in this paper come from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), one of the most important and nationally representative academic surveys in China. The CGSS aims to systematically and comprehensively investigate the social and economic situations of the Chinese people. CGSS is part of the world General Social Survey group and the sampling of CGSS is based on a multi-stage stratified design. The National Survey Research Center at the Renmin University of China (NSRC) has organized the Chinese Social Survey Network (CSSN), including 49 universities and provincial social science academies. Detailed information regarding CGSS can be accessed via http://cgss.ruc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm (accessed on 25 September 2022). The reason for using CGSS is mainly due to its three advantages. First, CGSS surveys people’s interpersonal communication and the factors influencing it in the extension module, which is a convenient way to construct the explained variables and control variables. Second, CGSS contains information on the respondents’ habits of Internet usage, which facilitates the construction of an explanatory variable for this research. Third, CGSS contains the ISCO-2008 (International Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008) codes of the respondents’ occupations, which helps us construct an instrumental variable, based on job characteristics, to deal with the endogeneity problem. Since the key explained and explanatory variables used in this paper are only available in the extension module of CGSS in 2017, the 2017-wave dataset is used for this research.

4.2. Measures

The main explained variable in this paper is the time spent on interpersonal communication by the respondents. Communication with family members and friends is most important in people’s daily interactions [ 75 , 76 ]; therefore, we constructed indicators for communications with family and friends, denoted as “family communication” and “friends communication”, respectively. The two variables come from the following questions in CGSS’s extension module, “How many hours do you spend on communicating with your family per week on average?” and “How many hours do you spend on communicating with your friends per week on average?”, respectively. In the robustness analysis, other indicators of interpersonal communications were also constructed. The explanatory variable of this paper is the time spent using the Internet, denoted as “Internet usage”. This variable is derived from the respondents’ answers to the question: “How many hours do you use the Internet per week on average?”.

Based on the relevant literature concerning the factors influencing interpersonal communications [ 61 , 62 ], in order to avoid the bias of omitted variables, this paper controls those factors related to interpersonal communications as comprehensively as possible in the following six aspects. (1) Basic demographic characteristics, including gender, age and the squared term of age. (2) Working characteristics, including personal income, whether the participant is working in the system and whether they have a pension and medical insurance. (3) Human capital characteristics, including educational level and health status. (4) Social characteristics, including whether the participant belongs to any ethnic minorities, have certain religious beliefs, or if they are a Communist Party of China (CPC) member. (5) Family characteristics include family size and the number of children. (6) Regional characteristics include provincial dummies. Detailed descriptions and statistics of the above variables are given in Table 1 .

Summary statistics.

VariableDescriptionObs.MeanStd. Dev.Min.Max.
Dependent Variable
Family communicationNumber of hours communicating with family per week374022.39423.475098
Friends communicationNumber of hours communicating with friends per week37227.4679.874098
Explanatory Variables
Internet usageNumber of hours using the Internet per week385711.40517.921098
Control Variables
Demographic Characteristics
Whether femaleYes = 1, No = 038570.5150.50001
AgeAge385748.57315.1281875
Age_squaredSquared term of age36542588.0951439.853245625
Working Characteristics
ln_IncomeLogarithm of personal total income (RMB)38378.3513.858016.111
Whether working in the systemYes = 1, No = 038510.0650.24701
Whether having pensionYes = 1, No = 038530.7180.45001
Whether having medical insuranceYes = 1, No = 038540.9300.25601
Human Capital Characteristics
Education level1–13 levels38570.1110.31501
Health status1–5 levels38570.5580.49701
Social Characteristics
Whether ethnic minoritiesYes = 1, No = 038570.0750.26401
Whether religious believerYes = 1, No = 038570.0990.29801
Whether CPC memberYes = 1, No = 038550.1010.30101
Family Characteristics
Family sizeNumber of members in the family38552.9211.595130
Number of childrenNumber of children in the family38521.5921.243022
Province dummies

Notes: The education level is classified from 1 to 13: 1—without any education, 2—kindergarten, 3—primary school, 4—junior high school, 5—vocational high school, 6—ordinary high school, 7—technical secondary school, 8—technical high school, 9—junior college (adult education), 10—junior college (regular education), 11—undergraduate (adult education), 12—undergraduate (regular education), 13—postgraduate and above. Health status is based on the self-rated health levels from 1 to 5: 1—very unhealthy, 2—relatively unhealthy, 3—medium, 4—relatively healthy, 5—very healthy.

5.1. Benchmark Results

To investigate the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, this paper first constructs the following ordinary least squares (OLS) benchmark econometric model.

In model (1), I n t e r p e r s o n a l _ c o m m u n i c a t i o n i and I n t e r n e t _ u s a g e i represent the time spent on interpersonal communications and Internet usage, respectively, by the respondent, i . The time spent on communicating with family and friends is used to characterize I n t e r p e r s o n a l _ c o m m u n i c a t i o n i . x i ′ is the vector of the series of control variables described above. d p is the provincial fixed effect. This paper estimates the relationship between interpersonal communications and Internet usage with this model.

Table 2 shows the regression results, based on the above OLS model. Columns (1)–(3) demonstrate the results of the estimations concerning communicating with family members and columns (4)–(6) are estimated results concerning communicating with friends. It is clear that Internet usage is significantly and positively related to the time spent on communications with both family members and friends. Here, we conduct regression analysis by sequentially including the controls of different characteristics, with the aim of exploring whether the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications is affected by other factors. Table 1 shows that, by gradually adding control variables from different aspects, the estimated coefficients of Internet use are stable at around 0.095 and 0.051 for the two explained variables, respectively. Moreover, all the estimates are significantly positive at the 1% level. This suggests that the more time people spend on the Internet, the more time they spend interacting with family and friends, supporting Hypothesis 2. It also means that the significant correlation between Internet usage and interpersonal interactions is not affected by other factors and is very robust. The above results prove that Internet usage does not lead to greater alienation among people. On the contrary, the Internet significantly enhances interpersonal communications.

Benchmark results.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS(5) OLS(6) OLS
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.094 ***
(0.026)
0.086 ***
(0.027)
0.095 ***
(0.028)
0.050 ***
(0.012)
0.043 ***
(0.011)
0.051 ***
(0.012)
Whether the participant is female1.544 **
(0.765)
1.133
(0.802)
1.396 *
(0.807)
−0.306
(0.319)
−0.511
(0.330)
−0.506
(0.328)
Age0.620 ***
(0.164)
0.682 ***
(0.176)
0.543 ***
(0.180)
−0.177 **
(0.069)
−0.164 **
(0.073)
−0.147 *
(0.076)
Age_squared−0.005 ***
(0.002)
−0.006 ***
(0.002)
−0.004 **
(0.002)
0.002 **
(0.001)
0.002 **
(0.001)
0.002 **
(0.001)
ln_Income −0.173
(0.114)
−0.092
(0.114)
0.013
(0.042)
0.040
(0.044)
Whether the participant is working in the system −1.481
(1.360)
−1.250
(1.469)
−0.074
(0.597)
−0.125
(0.640)
Whether the participant has a pension 0.914
(0.956)
0.270
(0.988)
−0.828 **
(0.392)
−0.694 *
(0.408)
Whether the participant has medical insurance 3.617 **
(1.486)
3.474 **
(1.491)
2.372 ***
(0.529)
2.259 ***
(0.531)
Education level −1.816
(1.367)
0.246
(0.671)
Whether the participant is healthy 2.827 ***
(0.852)
1.077 ***
(0.355)
Whether the participant belongs to ethnic minorities 0.110
(1.703)
−0.754
(0.799)
Whether the participant is a religious believer 0.378
(1.397)
0.774
(0.650)
Whether the participant is a CPC member 0.468
(1.345)
−0.156
(0.612)
Family size 1.865 ***
(0.382)
0.046
(0.095)
Number of children −0.192
(0.353)
−0.225
(0.144)
Province dummiesNoNoYesNoNoYes
Constant3.642
(3.713)
0.648
(4.093)
−7.540
(4.852)
11.160 ***
(1.646)
9.307 ***
(1.801)
5.764 ***
(2.042)
Observations374035323527372235143507

Notes: ***, **, and * indicate significance at the levels of 1%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

In addition, the benchmark estimates also show that the effect of the Internet on interpersonal interactions is very notable. Holding other factors constant, for each one-standard-deviation increase in Internet usage (17.921 h per week), the weekly communication with family members increases by an average of 102.150 min (17.921 × 0.095 × 60), while there is an average increase of 54.838 min in interactions with friends. This demonstrates that while Internet usage has significantly positive effects on communications with both family and friends, it plays a more prominent role in facilitating interactions among family members.

5.2. Robustness and Endogeneity Checks

In order to examine the robustness of the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications, and to tackle potential endogeneity problems, this paper conducts a series of robustness and endogeneity checks.

5.2.1. Using the Poisson Model

Considering the fact that the dependent variables, which represent the time spent on communicating with family and friends, are discrete non-negative integers and fit the Poisson distribution, we use the Poisson model to conduct the robustness test. Table 3 shows that when using the Poisson model for communications with both family and friends, the estimated coefficients of Internet usage are all significantly positive at the 1% level. In addition, with the controlling characteristics as different aspects, the estimated coefficients of Internet usage fluctuate slightly but are generally very stable. This further confirms that our findings regarding Internet usage promoting people’s interpersonal communications do not rely on the selection of the OLS model.

Robustness checks using the Poisson model.

Model(1) Poisson(2) Poisson(3) Poisson(4) Poisson(5) Poisson(6) Poisson
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.004 ***
(0.001)
0.004 ***
(0.001)
0.004 ***
(0.001)
0.006 ***
(0.001)
0.005 ***
(0.001)
0.006 ***
(0.001)
Demographic CharacteristicsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Working CharacteristicsNoYesYesNoYesYes
Human Capital CharacteristicsNoNoYesNoNoYes
Social CharacteristicsNoNoYesNoNoYes
Family CharacteristicsNoNoYesNoNoYes
Province dummiesNoNoYesNoNoYes
Constant2.226 ***
(0.185)
2.076 ***
(0.205)
1.753 ***
(0.238)
2.481 ***
(0.194)
2.194 ***
(0.224)
1.702 ***
(0.262)
Observations374035323527372235143507

Notes: *** indicate significance at the levels of 1%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

5.2.2. Using Other Indicators of Interpersonal Communication

In benchmark regression, we use the time spent on communications with family and friends to characterize interpersonal interaction. However, there may be measurement errors in some people’s perceptions of time. Furthermore, communication time may not adequately characterize the frequency of interpersonal communications. Based on this theory, to test the robustness of the findings, this paper further uses the frequencies of communication with family and friends as dependent variables, denoted as “Family communication frequency” and “Friends communication frequency”. These are derived from the respondents’ responses to “How often do you keep in touch with your family, on average?” and “How often do you keep in touch with your friends, on average?”. Answers are classified based on an eight-level scale from 1 to 8, representing “never”, “rarely”, “several times a year”, “once a month”, “2–3 times a month”, “once a week”, “several times a week”, and “every day”, respectively. Since they are ordered and explained variables for which the disparities between different levels of the scale are not equivalent, ordered Probit (Oprobit) and Logit (Ologit) models, as well as the OLS model, are used for estimation. The regression results are shown in Table 4 . It is clear that when using these kinds of dependent variables to measure interpersonal communications, and no matter which model is applied, Internet usage has a significantly positive effect on the frequency of people’s interactions with family and friends, which further confirms the robustness of the findings.

Robustness checks, using other indicators of interpersonal communications.

Model(1) OLS(2) Oprobit(3) Ologit(4) OLS(5) Oprobit(6) Ologit
VariableFamily Communication FrequencyFamily Communication FrequencyFamily Communication FrequencyFriends Communication FrequencyFriends Communication FrequencyFriends Communication Frequency
Internet usage0.004 *
(0.002)
0.002 **
(0.001)
0.004 *
(0.002)
0.014 ***
(0.002)
0.008 ***
(0.001)
0.013 ***
(0.002)
ControlsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Province dummiesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Constant3.659 ***
(0.461)
6.828 ***
(0.380)
Observations320532053205321732173217

5.2.3. Endogeneity Tests

There may be endogeneity problems in the benchmark estimates, therefore, the significant relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications may be a correlation rather than causality. The endogeneity problems may result from two aspects, comprising reverse causality and omitted variable bias. Regarding reverse causality, we suggest that people may use the Internet more frequently because they are more willing to communicate with family members and friends. For example, individuals who live alone, who frequently travel and migrate, may use the Internet because of the need to communicate remotely with their friends and family. With respect to omitted variable bias, although we have controlled as comprehensively as possible those elements that affect interpersonal communications, there may still be factors that are difficult to characterize. In order to examine the causal relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal interactions and to tackle potential endogeneity problems, the following instrumental variable models are applied for carrying out further checks.

A I i is the instrumental variable, which is the degree of artificial intelligence’s application in an individual, i ’s, work. Model (2) performs first-stage regression, using A I i to estimate I n t e r n e t _ u s a g e i . In model (3), second-stage regression is conducted to examine the effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, using the predicted values in the first-stage estimation. The A I i indicator comes from Mihaylov and Tijden [ 92 ]. Existing studies have shown that the higher the application of artificial intelligence in their work, the higher the requirements for people’s skills in using the Internet [ 93 ], and thus, the more likely they are to show increased Internet usage. Therefore, the instrumental variable satisfies the correlation requirement. In addition, since artificial intelligence is an exogenous technological change and is, thus, not related to micro individual characteristics, this variable satisfies the exogeneity condition. As shown in Table 5 , results of the instrumental variable method with the two-stage least square (2SLS) method robustly prove that Internet usage has significantly positive impacts on interactions with family members and friends. This means that the significant relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications is causal rather than being a simple correlation.

Endogeneity tests: impacts on communications using an instrumental variable.

Model(1) First Stage(2) 2SLS Second Stage(3)First Stage(4) 2SLS Second Stage
VariableInternet UsageFamily CommunicationInternet UsageFriends Communication
Internet usage 0.606 **
(0.293)
0.249 **
(0.117)
Artificial Intelligence7.440 ***
(1.729)
7.704 ***
(1.723)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Province dummiesYesYesYesYes
Constant58.925 ***
(6.060)
−44.955 **
(19.463)
56.252 ***
(5.730)
−5.896
(7.888)
Observations1889188918801880

Notes: *** and ** indicate significance at the levels of 1% and 5%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

5.2.4. Missing Data Imputation

There are missing data in this research, with a missing rate of (3740−3507)/3740 = 6.223%. Although it seems that the missing rate is not high, missing data may cause sample selection problems, leading to biased and inconsistent statistical results, because the information may be missing but not at random. Considering that the dataset is cross-sectional rather than longitudinal and when referring to Ibrahim and Molenberghs [ 94 ], Kropko et al. [ 95 ], and Baraldi and Enders [ 96 ], we further tested whether the findings of this paper could be affected by the missing data problem, applying the following widely accepted approach. Specifically, we replace the missing values with the mean of the remaining values. Results using this approach are shown in Table 6 and it is clear that they are consistent with the benchmark estimations in this paper.

Replacing the missing values with the mean of the remaining values (OLS model).

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS(5) OLS(6) OLS
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.094 ***
(0.026)
0.098 ***
(0.027)
0.111 ***
(0.027)
0.050 ***
(0.012)
0.051 ***
(0.012)
0.058 ***
(0.012)
Demographic CharacteristicsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Working CharacteristicsNoYesYesNoYesYes
Human Capital CharacteristicsNoNoYesNoNoYes
Social CharacteristicsNoNoYesNoNoYes
Family CharacteristicsNoNoYesNoNoYes
Province dummiesNoNoYesNoNoYes
Constant3.642
(3.713)
1.317
(3.952)
−6.838
(4.692)
11.160 ***
(1.646)
9.288 ***
(1.712)
5.222 ***
(1.967)
Observations374037403740374037403740
Adjusted R 0.0090.0110.0510.0120.0140.036

6. Further Discussions

6.1. effects of internet usage on loneliness.

It has been confirmed in the sections above that Internet usage facilitates communications with family and friends. Furthermore, studies have shown that interpersonal communications are beneficial to increasing social support and reducing people’s loneliness [ 97 , 98 , 99 ]. Therefore, we are interested in whether Internet usage helps to reduce loneliness by increasing people’s interpersonal contacts. To test this hypothesis, we use an indicator to characterize loneliness, denoted as “Lonely”. It is taken from respondents’ answers to the question “I feel lonely”, which is based on the Likert scale from 1–5, representing “never”, “seldom”, “sometimes”, “often”, and “frequently”. The larger the values of the two variables, the higher the level of loneliness.

The first columns in Table 7 demonstrate the effect of Internet usage on loneliness, wherein the estimated coefficients of Internet usage are all significantly negative. This indicates that Internet usage significantly reduces loneliness. Meanwhile, columns (2) and (4) in Table 7 are the regression results of the impacts of Internet usage on communication with family members and friends, which are consistent with those in Table 3 . Columns (3) and (5) present the results for when the indicators of family communication and friends communication are further included in regressions. The estimated results in column (3) of Table 7 show that communication with friends does not significantly affect people’s loneliness. However, in column (5), the estimates of family communication are significantly negative at the 1% level, implying that interactions with family help to decrease loneliness. At the same time, after the mediating variables, interpersonal communications are included in the regression, where the estimated coefficients of Internet usage remain significantly negative. Additionally, in column (5) of Table 7 , the absolute values of the Internet usage estimates decrease, further proving that communication with family members plays a mediating role between using the Internet and loneliness. This implies that Internet usage reduces the feeling of loneliness by facilitating communication among family members. Family members are particularly important for Chinese people and the Chinese culture; therefore, relationships among family members have a more prominent impact on personal feelings [ 100 ]. Thus, compared with communication with friends, contacts with family members mediate the impact of the Internet in reducing loneliness more significantly.

Further impacts on loneliness.

Model(1) Oprobit(2) Poisson(3) Oprobit(4) Poisson(5) Oprobit
VariableLonely_1Friends CommunicationLonely_1Family CommunicationLonely_1
Internet usage−0.003 **
(0.001)
0.006 ***
(0.001)
−0.003 **
(0.001)
0.004 ***
(0.001)
−0.002 *
(0.001)
Friends communication 0.000
(0.002)
Family communication −0.005 ***
(0.001)
ControlsYesYesYesYesYes
Province dummiesYesYesYesYesYes
Constant 1.702 ***
(0.262)
1.753 ***
(0.238)
Observations36153507349935273518

6.2. Effects of Internet Usage in the Other Aspects

The above analysis shows the positive impact of the Internet on interpersonal communications, but it is not correct to assume that this usage has only a positive dimension. Further analysis using CGSS data, as shown in column (1) of Table 8 , demonstrates that the more time people spend online, the easier it is to get addicted to the Internet, resulting in spending a longer time online than was planned. In addition, people who frequently use the Internet are more likely to feel anxious if they do not go online for a while (column (2) in Table 8 ). This is consistent with the existing studies, reporting that people tend to have difficulty controlling their time, and it is easier for them to become addicted to the Internet and the online world [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Furthermore, we find that going online reduces the amount of time people spend outdoors (column (3) in Table 8 ) and leads to more family complaints that they spend too much time online (column (4) in Table 8 ). Although we cannot directly verify the effect of Internet usage on face-to-face interpersonal communication, due to data availability, this is an indirect way to test whether Internet use reduces people’s face-to-face contact with the outside world and results in increased complaints from family members. Moreover, in terms of physical health, it was also found that more Internet usage also causes people to have worse eyesight (column (5) in Table 8 ), as well as neck and shoulder pain (column (6) in Table 8 ). The above analysis is based on six Likert 5-point scale variables from the responses to the question, “How do the following descriptions fit your situation?”: “I often spend more time online than I planned”, “If I don’t go online for a while, I will be anxious and restless”, “I spend less time outdoors because of using the Internet”, “My family complains that I spend too much time online”, “My eyesight has become worse because of using the Internet”, “I have neck and shoulder pain because of using the Internet”. Their responses are: “1—very untrue of me”, “2—untrue of me”, “3—neutral”, “4—true of me”, and “5—very true of me”.

Other effects of internet usage (overlong usage and anxiety).

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS(5) OLS(6) OLS
VariableOvertime OnlineAnxiety When OfflineLess Outdoor ActivitiesFamily ComplaintsVision ImpairmentNeck and Shoulder Pain
Internet usage0.010 ***
(0.001)
0.008 ***
(0.001)
0.007 ***
(0.001)
0.006 ***
(0.001)
0.008 ***
(0.002)
0.008 ***
(0.002)
ControlsYesYesYesYesYesYes
Province dummiesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Constant3.502 ***
(0.267)
2.940 ***
(0.275)
3.164 ***
(0.287)
3.847 ***
(0.280)
3.373 ***
(0.305)
2.942 ***
(0.310)
Observations219822062206220422002203
Ajusted/Pseudo R 0.1050.0800.1010.1030.0550.038

7. Heterogeneity Analysis

This paper further examines the heterogeneities of the impact of Internet usage on communications in different subgroups. First, in terms of the purposes of Internet usage, it is naturally hypothesized that if people use the Internet mainly for working or entertainment, rather than for interpersonal contact, then Internet usage should have no significant effect on their communications with family members and friends. This hypothesis is tested as follows. Specifically, this research divides the sample into subgroups, with different degrees of online social interactions and different preferences for online self-presentation, based on whether respondents frequently use social networking sites (including email, QQ, WeChat, Skype, etc.) to communicate with others, and whether they often post their updates on the social platforms (including WeChat, Moments, Qzone, Weibo, etc.). The regression results of Table 9 show that the impacts of Internet usage on communication with family and friends are only significant among those who often use the Internet to socialize, confirming the above hypothesis. In addition, posting updates regarding life and work via Internet social platforms also brings more online contacts. Table 10 shows that for individuals with a greater online presence, the positive effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is more pronounced. This means that for people who are more socially connected to the Internet, online activities significantly promote their interpersonal contacts. The heterogeneity results in this aspect also demonstrate that online social contact facilitates communications with family and friends and further confirm the robustness of the findings of this paper.

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of online contacts.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleLess Online Social ContactMore Online Social ContactLess Online Social ContactMore Online Social Contact
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.055
(0.081)
0.105 ***
(0.031)
0.033
(0.025)
0.053 ***
(0.013)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant10.825
(12.224)
−6.455
(5.955)
−0.647
(4.453)
10.655 ***
(2.724)
Observations1701182616851822

Heterogeneity analysis in terms of online posts.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleFewer Online PostsMore Online PostsFewer Online PostsMore Online Posts
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.050
(0.047)
0.129 ***
(0.037)
0.036 **
(0.019)
0.051 ***
(0.015)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant0.503
(7.625)
−12.146 *
(7.119)
4.028
(2.927)
7.587 **
(3.146)
Observations2284124222601246

Furthermore, considering that communications via the Internet require certain online skills, it is naturally hypothesized that for individuals with better Internet skills, Internet usage should be more conducive to improving their interpersonal communication. This paper conducts a heterogeneity test for this hypothesis. According to whether the respondents are able to communicate with others proficiently online (the corresponding question in the CGSS questionnaire is: “Do you know how to express your thoughts and proficiently communicate with others online?”), the following subsample analysis is performed. The estimated results in columns (1) and (2) of Table 11 show that in terms of communications with family members, the positive effects of Internet usage are greater and are only statistically significant for those with more online skills. Columns (3) and (4) of Table 11 demonstrate that in terms of communications with friends, the role of Internet usage is significant for the two subgroups, but the estimated coefficient is larger for individuals skilled in online communications. This confirms that the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal contacts is more pronounced for people with better online skills.

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of Internet skills.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleLess Skilled in InternetMore Skilled in InternetLess Skilled in InternetMore Skilled in Internet
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.025
(0.061)
0.118 ***
(0.033)
0.041 *
(0.024)
0.049 ***
(0.014)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant24.445
(16.486)
−10.005
(6.167)
−6.478
(4.713)
10.110 ***
(2.915)
Observations1836167518211670

Notes: *** and * indicate significance at the levels of 1% and 10%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

Moreover, it has been shown in the existing literature that there are disparities in Internet usage and interpersonal communication among individuals of different ages and educational backgrounds [ 34 , 47 , 61 ]. Therefore, we further examine the heterogeneities of the impacts of Internet usage in the different subgroups, with different demographic characteristics. Table 12 shows that the impacts of Internet usage on communications with family and friends are significantly positive for both younger and older respondents. However, their effect is greater on the younger group under the age of 35, which may be due to the fact that young people are more inclined to use new online applications and are more skilled in Internet use. Therefore, the positive effect of Internet usage is more prominent in the younger cohort. The mean time of Internet usage for young individuals under 35 in CGSS is 23.59, which is much greater than that of their older counterparts, which is 7.56.

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of age.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleYounger than 35Older than 35Younger than 35Older than 35
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.133 ***
(0.045)
0.058 *
(0.035)
0.059 ***
(0.020)
0.039 ***
(0.013)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant2.054
(4.982)
12.371 ***
(3.118)
6.489 ***
(1.970)
1.786 *
(1.079)
Observations84226858452662

The results of the heterogeneity analysis in terms of education level are shown in Table 13 . It is demonstrated that regardless of whether the respondents have a bachelor’s degree or above, the positive effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is significant. However, the Internet’s impact is more pronounced for those with higher educational levels. This may be due to the fact that the more educated groups have greater opportunities to learn and master the skills of using the Internet. In the CGSS sample, the average time of Internet usage among people with higher educational levels is much higher than the lower educated respondents (25.03 > 9.70).

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of education level.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleLower EducationHigher EducationLower EducationHigher Education
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.077 **
(0.031)
0.147 **
(0.060)
0.044 ***
(0.012)
0.089 ***
(0.034)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant−4.015
(5.388)
−9.295
(14.546)
3.895 *
(2.298)
12.099 **
(5.454)
Observations31413863123384

In addition, in terms of regional heterogeneity, it is clear from Table 14 that the impact of Internet usage on communications with family and friends is more prominent for urban residents. Compared with their rural counterparts, urban residents are more familiar with the Internet in their work and daily life, due to faster technological development and better network infrastructure. Therefore, the descriptive statistics for the two subsamples show that the mean hours of Internet usage for residents in rural and urban areas are 16.29 and 8.64, respectively.

Heterogeneity analysis in terms of region.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleRural ResidentsUrban ResidentsRural ResidentsUrban Residents
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.086 **
(0.041)
0.096 **
(0.038)
0.041 ***
(0.014)
0.058 ***
(0.018)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant1.852
(6.737)
−12.355
(7.981)
4.046 *
(2.349)
9.693 **
(3.826)
Observations2235128022261269

In addition, the Internet can help people to break geographical restrictions and realize remote communication, consequently shortening the distances between each other [ 19 ]. Therefore, it is natural to hypothesize that the role of Internet usage in facilitating communication may be more prominent for migrants. The regression results of Table 15 show that Internet usage has significant effects on promoting interpersonal communications, for both migrants and non-migrants. In particular, columns (1) and (2) show that in terms of family communication, the impact of Internet usage on migrants is more prominent than on non-migrants. However, columns (3) and (4) do not show a similar pattern in terms of communicating with friends. This is logical, since blood relationships among family members do not change due to migration, while friends can be found wherever you live. Migration leads to people moving further away from their families, geographically; consequently, the role of Internet usage in enhancing communications with family members is more prominent for migrants.

Heterogeneity analysis in terms of migration.

Model(1) OLS(2) OLS(3) OLS(4) OLS
SampleNon-MigrantsMigrantsNon-MigrantsMigrants
VariableFamily CommunicationFamily CommunicationFriends CommunicationFriends Communication
Internet usage0.077 **
(0.035)
0.112 **
(0.045)
0.055 ***
(0.016)
0.037 **
(0.017)
ControlsYesYesYesYes
Constant−5.386
(6.598)
−10.688
(7.774)
1.386
(2.558)
10.472 ***
(3.601)
Observations2422109424061089

8. Conclusions

This paper empirically examines the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications with data from the Chinese General Social Survey to answer whether the Internet brings people closer together or further apart. The empirical results demonstrate that first, Internet usage helps to significantly increase the time and frequency of communications with family and friends, rather than causing people to feel more disconnected and isolated. This positive effect is robust when using various regression models and interpersonal contact measures, as well as the instrumental variable method. Specifically, the positive effects of Internet usage in promoting people’s interpersonal communications do not rely on the selection of regression models and are robustly significant regarding both the time that people spend on interactions, as well as the frequency of daily contacts. Furthermore, the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications is proven to be causal rather than being a simple correlation, using the instrumental variable approach.

Second, Internet usage contributes to decreased loneliness, and it exerts this effect primarily by improving people’s interactions with their family members. However, communications with friends do not significantly mediate such impacts. This implies that the Internet reduces the feeling of loneliness by facilitating communication among family members, who are much more important in the Chinese culture, and therefore relationships among family members have a more important impact on personal feelings.

Third, the positive role of Internet usage on communications is more prominent for people with more frequent online socialization and self-presentation, higher online skills, younger age, higher educational levels and living in urban areas. In addition, the beneficial effects of Internet usage are larger on communications with family members for migrants. The reason may be that the blood relationships among family members do not change due to migration, while friends can be found anywhere.

9. Theoretical and Practical Implications

9.1. theoretical implications.

This paper clarifies the net effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications. Research has shown that Internet technology has tremendously enriched communication channels and modes [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 87 , 89 ]. Moreover, compared with traditional communication methods, such as phone calls and text messages, the Internet helps people to establish a much wider social network and achieve effective remote communication at a lower cost, as well as with greater efficiency [ 69 , 70 , 90 , 101 ]. Nevertheless, other studies reveal that Internet usage may distract people’s attention [ 10 , 11 , 65 , 66 , 83 ], reduce their social skills [ 47 , 67 , 68 , 84 , 85 ], and may even increase negative emotions [ 10 , 11 , 53 , 73 , 86 ]. The impact of Internet usage in this aspect would hinder interpersonal communications. No direct evidence is provided on how the Internet influences interpersonal communications. Therefore, according to theoretical analyses based on the existing literature, the net effect of Internet usage on interpersonal contacts is still unclear because of the coexistence of the complementarity and interference aspects. This research contributes to the literature by clarifying that the net effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is positive. The more that people use the Internet, the more they can interact with their family and friends. This positive effect is confirmed via various endogeneity and robustness checks. This paper shows that although the Internet may have both pros and cons, its overall impact is positive regarding interpersonal communication.

In addition, this paper further verifies the role of the Internet in reducing people’s loneliness, which is an important factor affecting well-being. Loneliness not only leads to depression but also reduces people’s life satisfaction and overall well-being [ 102 , 103 ]. Interpersonal interaction is an important element impacting loneliness [ 104 ]. Since Internet usage promotes communication, a natural question arises regarding whether it helps to decrease loneliness through this mechanism. If this speculation holds true, the robustness of the conclusions in this paper would be confirmed further. The existing research demonstrates that the Internet has enriched interpersonal communication channels [ 105 ]. Moreover, other studies reveal that interactions can help reduce loneliness, improve people’s well-being, and decrease depression [ 89 , 91 , 106 ]. In this paper, we present our findings that Internet usage lowers loneliness by promoting people’s communications with family and friends. Therefore, this study also contributes to the literature by elucidating the mechanisms underlying the well-being and emotional benefits of Internet use [ 107 ].

Furthermore, compared with previous studies supporting the positive effects of Internet usage [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 87 , 89 ], we also find heterogeneities in its impact from multiple perspectives. It is clear that not everyone gains equally from Internet use. The positive role of the Internet on interpersonal communication is more prominent for people with more frequent online socialization and wider self-presentation, better online skills, a younger age, higher educational levels, and who are living in urban areas. Some subgroups benefit more from Internet usage, while those who have been left behind in the digital age gain less. Heterogeneity analysis enriches the literature on the impact of the Internet, helping us to better identify vulnerable groups in the Internet era and create effective public policies accordingly.

9.2. Practical Implications

With the rapid progress of online technology, traditional face-to-face communication is gradually shifting toward social networking via the Internet as people are becoming immersed in the digital age. The Internet not only drives economic development but also helps people to interact with each other at a lower cost and in a more convenient way. The policy implications of this paper include the following recommendations.

First, the network infrastructure should be improved and updated to make better use of the Internet, to facilitate interpersonal communication among people. In the fast-changing world of information, the Internet has provided people with more and more convenient communication channels. We should continue to make better use of more advanced Internet technologies and improve the quality of the network, in order to enhance people’s online experience. Emerging technologies, such as 5G, should be applied to help people obtain more convenient and cheaper access to the Internet to improve their interpersonal communication and enhance social welfare.

Second, this paper reports that the Internet promotes interpersonal contact, thereby weakening people’s sense of loneliness. Therefore, establishing high-quality online communities via social networks is needed to help people enhance their well-being through further interactions. For those who suffer from loneliness, providing them with better access to the Internet may be an effective way to enhance their welfare. From the perspective of mental health, loneliness is related to an increased risk of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and even dementia. Therefore, it is worth recommending that sufferers use the Internet to enhance their communications with others. For people with communication difficulties, online interactions can help them overcome their fear and help them to get in touch with others, thus establishing better social networks [ 90 ].

Third, policymakers should pay more attention to vulnerable subgroups in the Internet age, including older people and those with poorer online skills, those who are less well-educated, and those living in rural areas. These groups gain fewer benefits from Internet usage. Therefore, it is important to help them master the necessary online skills and provide them with more convenient and less expensive access to the Internet. For example, the network coverage should be extended to more remote and rural areas and the Internet connectivity there needs to be improved so that as many people as possible have equal access to the Internet. In addition, with the rapid development of Internet technology, individuals with lower education levels and older age may not be able to update their Internet skills. This may mean that they are unable to gain the benefits of Internet usage in terms of interpersonal communication. Therefore, in the context of the rapid application of emerging online technologies, enhancing the Internet skills of these vulnerable subgroups should be emphasized.

10. Limitations

First, since CGSS data is based on subjective answers, both the explanatory and explained variables in this paper are subjective indicators and there may, thus, be measurement errors caused by subjectivity. Although different variables are used as dependent variables in the robustness checks, confirming the positive effect of Internet usage on interpersonal interactions, these measures are also subjective. Therefore, we look forward to further testing the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal contacts based on objective indicators in the future.

Second, as CGSS does not provide detailed information concerning the amount of time that people spend on the Internet for various purposes, we are unable to examine the effects of different types of online activities on interpersonal communications. In this regard, if people use the Internet mainly for working or for entertainment, rather than for interpersonal contacts, then online activities may well have a different effect on their communications with family members and friends. In the heterogeneity analysis, this research divided the sample into subgroups with different degrees of online social interactions and different preferences for online self-presentation. The results show that the impacts of Internet usage on communication with family and friends are only significant among those who habitually use the Internet to socialize and post updates. This indirectly examines the impact of different types of Internet usage on communications. We look forward to further investigating this issue in the future, on the basis of more detailed online data.

Third, this paper examines the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications in general. However, it is still not clear how Internet usage affects people’s face-to-face interactions. Due to data limitations, we are unable to directly test the quality of offline personal relationships, for example, changes in conversational topics, the willingness to broach topics discussed on the Internet, and the inclination to reveal true thoughts in a face-to-face relationship. The effects of Internet use on the quality of offline communications will be a very valuable research direction in the future.

Funding Statement

This research was funded by the Humanities and Social Science Research Project of the Ministry of Education of China (grant number 19YJC790055); the Project of the Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 71973081); the Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (grant number ZR2020QG038); the Project of the Social Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (grant number 19DJJJ08), and the Project of Teaching Reform of Shandong University (grant number Y2022007).

Author Contributions

C.L. contributed to the conception and design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. Y.X. generated the tables and figures, respectively, based on C.L.’s analysis. C.L. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. G.N., K.G. and Q.L. worked on revisions of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Argumentative Essays

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What is an argumentative essay?

The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.

Please note : Some confusion may occur between the argumentative essay and the expository essay. These two genres are similar, but the argumentative essay differs from the expository essay in the amount of pre-writing (invention) and research involved. The argumentative essay is commonly assigned as a capstone or final project in first year writing or advanced composition courses and involves lengthy, detailed research. Expository essays involve less research and are shorter in length. Expository essays are often used for in-class writing exercises or tests, such as the GED or GRE.

Argumentative essay assignments generally call for extensive research of literature or previously published material. Argumentative assignments may also require empirical research where the student collects data through interviews, surveys, observations, or experiments. Detailed research allows the student to learn about the topic and to understand different points of view regarding the topic so that she/he may choose a position and support it with the evidence collected during research. Regardless of the amount or type of research involved, argumentative essays must establish a clear thesis and follow sound reasoning.

The structure of the argumentative essay is held together by the following.

  • A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.

In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important ( exigence ) or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.

  • Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.

  • Body paragraphs that include evidential support.

Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis ( warrant ).

However, argumentative essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.

  • Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).

The argumentative essay requires well-researched, accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis statement and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis. However, students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence. As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be well informed or up to date on the topic.

  • A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.

It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis. You may also want to include a short discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your work.

A complete argument

Perhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.

The five-paragraph essay

A common method for writing an argumentative essay is the five-paragraph approach. This is, however, by no means the only formula for writing such essays. If it sounds straightforward, that is because it is; in fact, the method consists of (a) an introductory paragraph (b) three evidentiary body paragraphs that may include discussion of opposing views and (c) a conclusion.

Longer argumentative essays

Complex issues and detailed research call for complex and detailed essays. Argumentative essays discussing a number of research sources or empirical research will most certainly be longer than five paragraphs. Authors may have to discuss the context surrounding the topic, sources of information and their credibility, as well as a number of different opinions on the issue before concluding the essay. Many of these factors will be determined by the assignment.

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50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students

50 Argumentative Essay Topics for Students

4-minute read

  • 11th June 2022

The goal of an argumentative essay is to persuade the reader to understand and support your position on an issue by presenting your reasoning along with supporting evidence. It’s important to find the right balance between giving your opinions and presenting established research.

These essays discuss issues around a range of topics, including science, technology, politics, and healthcare. Whether you’re a teacher looking for essay topics for your students or a student tasked with developing an idea of your own, we’ve compiled a list of 50 argumentative essay topics to help you get started!

●  Does texting hinder interpersonal communication skills?

●  Should there be laws against using devices while driving?

●  Do violent video games teach or encourage people to behave violently?

●  Should social media sites be allowed to collect users’ data?

●  Should parents limit how long their children spend in front of screens?

●  Is AI helping or hurting society?

●  Should cyber-bullying carry legal consequences?

●  Should Supreme Court justices be elected?

●  Is war always a political decision?

●  Should people join a political party?

●  Is capitalism ethical?

●  Is the electoral college an effective system?

●  Should prisoners be allowed to vote?

●  Should the death penalty be legal?

●  Are governments around the world doing enough to combat global warming?

●  Is healthcare a fundamental human right?

●  Should vaccinations be mandated for children?

●  Are there any circumstances under which physician-assisted suicides should be legal?

●  Should parents be able to choose specific genetic modifications of their future children?

●  Should abortion be legal?

●  Is it ethical to perform medical experiments on animals?

●  Should patients who lead unhealthy lifestyles be denied organ transplants?

●  Should doctors be able to provide medical care to children against their parents’ wishes?

Mental Healthcare

●  What causes the stigma around mental health?

●  Discuss the link between insufficient access to mental health services and the high suicide rates among veterans.

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●  Should cannabis be used as a treatment for patients with mental disorders?

●  Is there a link between social media use and mental disorders?

●  Discuss the effect of physical activity on mental health.

●  Should sports be segregated by gender?

●  Should male and female athletes be given the same pay and opportunities?

●  Are professional athletes overpaid?

●  Should college athletes be paid?

●  Should sports betting be legal?

●  Should online access to art such as music be free?

●  Should graffiti be considered art or vandalism?

●  Are there any circumstances under which books should be banned?

●  Should schools be required to offer art courses?

●  Is art necessary to society?

●  Should schools require uniforms?

●  Should reciting the Pledge of Allegiance be required in schools?

●  Do standardized tests effectively measure intelligence?

●  Should high school students take a gap year before pursuing higher education?

●  Should higher education be free?

●  Is there too much pressure on high school students to attend college?

●  Are children better off in two-parent households?

●  Should LGBTQ+ partners be allowed to adopt?

●  Should single people be able to adopt children as easily as couples?

●  Is it okay for parents to physically discipline their children?

●  Does helicopter parenting help or hurt children?

●  Should parents monitor their children’s Internet use?

Proofreading & Editing

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  • How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

  • Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
  • Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
  • Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

  • Thesis statement
  • First piece of evidence
  • Second piece of evidence
  • Summary/synthesis
  • Importance of topic
  • Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

  • Importance of the internet
  • Concerns about internet use
  • Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
  • Data exploring this effect
  • Analysis indicating it is overstated
  • Students’ reading levels over time
  • Why this data is questionable
  • Video media
  • Interactive media
  • Speed and simplicity of online research
  • Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
  • Evidence indicating its ubiquity
  • Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
  • Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
  • Argument that it introduces students to citation
  • Summary of key points
  • Value of digital education for students
  • Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

  • Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
  • Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
  • Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
  • Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
  • Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
  • Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
  • Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
  • Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
  • Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
  • Link to the Reformation.
  • Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
  • Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
  • Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
  • Summarize the history described.
  • Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

  • Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
  • Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
  • Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
  • Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
  • Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
  • Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
  • Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
  • Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
  • Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
  • Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
  • Answer the research question
  • Indicate areas for further study

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved September 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-outline/

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Writing argumentative essays with Kialo Edu

argumentative essay on the use of internet

Your students may shine in verbal discussions, but it can be more challenging for them to translate their ideas into a coherent argumentative essay. Fortunately, you can use Kialo Edu’s free, adaptable written discussions to support students’ argumentative essay writing skills.

Kialo discussions guide students to clearly express viewpoints, address counterarguments, and provide compelling evidence. This sharpens students’ reasoning, argumentative, and critical thinking skills , empowering them to explore and defend complex issues through writing.

Let’s see how you can use Kialo discussions to enhance argumentative essay writing for your students!

How to choose a strong argumentative essay topic

Crafting a compelling argumentative essay begins with selecting the right topic. Follow the tips below to guide your students in making a strong selection.

1. Allow students to choose topics that interest them, especially topics relatable to their own experiences.

This will help boost students’ engagement with the essay, while their personal insights will add authenticity to their arguments.

2. Encourage students to select topics linked to current events or topical societal issues.

Such topics are more likely to capture interest, boosting audience engagement with the essay.

3. Remind students to select a topic with clear opposing viewpoints.

If viewpoints on a topic are already universally accepted, their essay may lack depth and purpose.

4. Give students time to conduct preliminary research .

This helps students find adequate evidence to support their arguments before finalizing their topic.

5. Help students choose strong argumentative essay topics with Kialo Edu’s Topic Library .

Our Topic Library is bursting with hundreds of relevant, engaging (and free!) argumentative essay ideas, organized by curriculum subject and age range.

How to write an argumentative essay on Kiao Edu

Students can practice writing their argumentative essays on Kialo. First, students should add a thesis statement. Then, students can write pro and con claims to develop lines of reasoning that act as supporting arguments while addressing counter arguments.

argumentative essay on the use of internet

This mirrors a traditional essay format, where students present the thesis in the introduction and develop their arguments in the paragraphs of the body.

Let’s take a closer look at how each section in a traditional argumentative essay corresponds to parts of a Kialo discussion.

1. Traditional essay: Introduction 

Kialo discussion: thesis and background information.

Students begin their argument by adding a thesis — a concise statement that articulates the main argument of the essay.

They can also provide context in the Background Information to give an overview or abstract of their essay.

argumentative essay on the use of internet

2. Traditional essay: Body paragraphs

Kialo discussion: pro and con claims.

Students use Kialo’s branching discussion framework to present the main arguments in support of their thesis. The visual discussion format reduces the cognitive load for students, freeing them up to concentrate on structuring their argument.

Students begin each branch with a top-level pro claim — the equivalent of a topic sentence — and then support this with further pro claims. The branching structure encourages students to make one claim at a time, directly addressing the previous point.

For those students who tend to overlook opposing perspectives, they can easily see both the supporting and opposing viewpoints that appear side by side in a Kialo discussion. This helps prompt students to consider and come up with counterarguments, as well as rebuttals to these counterarguments to further strengthen their main argument. 

argumentative essay on the use of internet

As students build their arguments, connective lines illustrate the logical relationships between each claim. This approach helps students understand how broader arguments are built on detailed evidence, enabling them to construct clear and precise arguments that develop specific lines of reasoning. 

Finally, to help students avoid gaps in their reasoning, they can choose to view their argument in a unique “sunburst” mini-map , helping them identify knowledge gaps and thereby strengthening their argument.

argumentative essay on the use of internet

3. Traditional essay: Conclusion

Kialo discussion: collaborative evaluation.

When students’ arguments reach their conclusion, the collaborative nature of Kialo discussions means students can progress beyond simply summarizing their claims. 

Instead, students can vote on the impact of each other’s claims and add evaluative comments, while educators can provide Grading and Feedback on individual claims and the overall discussion. With comments and feedback that target specific claims, students can easily improve their arguments without engaging in extensive rewrites. 

4. Traditional essay: References or bibliography

Kialo discussion: linking sources to claims and using the sources sidebar.

Throughout the discussion, students can strengthen claims by adding links to supporting evidence , including statistics, expert opinions, and real-world examples. This boosts the credibility of their claims and enables readers to verify the information.

Encourage students to add sources by enabling Tasks . You can specify the number of sources students must link to, tailoring the lesson to your learning objectives to monitor students’ progress. 

And once students have completed their argument, they’ll find all their sources compiled into a reference list in the Sources sidebar!

argumentative essay on the use of internet

Whether it’s selecting topics , writing arguments, or organizing sources, Kialo Edu’s free written discussion format will empower your students to excel in their argumentative essays. Get started today by signing up at Kialo Edu !

We’d love to hear how using Kialo has helped your students improve their argumentative essays. Contact us at [email protected] or on social media.

Want to try Kialo Edu with your class?

Sign up for free and use Kialo Edu to have thoughtful classroom discussions and train students’ argumentation and critical thinking skills.

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