Due to the imminence of various technological advances and their ability to appeal to society’s demand for speedy service and results, we have become not depended on technology, but rather accustomed. Our society’s upbringing with technology has in a sense shaped and evolved the world today. Advances in technology in regards to our level of connectedness, was initially meant to satisfy the world, by making everyday tasks easier and enjoyable. In the process many effects or causes of being so “connected” were revealed. Interpersonal relationships have almost become a thing of the past. People hardly ever initially meet face to face anymore. Mediums such as video chat, text messaging, tweeting and Facebook create alternate means of communication. Why waste time commuting to physically meet when you can use the Second Life program? Why take the time to actually get to know someone when you can just read the info page on his or her profile? Why stop to ask someone what they’ve been up to if you can just browse photos to get the just of it? Lines of what we use to know as proper manners and etiquette have been crossed due to the extension of connectedness; we know it is impolite to talk on a phone at the dinner table because it is rude and distracting to others, but what about texting? Do the same rules apply?
Being connected has also made a typical day for a criminal easier. There is no doubt that there are stalkers, hackers, and sex offenders lurking around in cyberspace. Connectivity on the Internet has made their jobs easier. Instead of stalker going through the tiresome task of physically following a person around and harassing them, he or she can now do so while in the comfort of their own home. Thieves use to have to be sneaky and mischievous in the way they go about stealing. Nowadays all a thief has to do is hack into a computer by setting viruses for someone to click on that will enable them to track every punch of a computer key, deciphering any hidden passwords, account numbers one may be trying to conceal. There are many unintended effects of being so connected that many people are unaware of.
The cause of misbehavior and all collective anger that seems to be unleashed online has to do with more than the incentive given by anonymity and connectivity, it’s deeper than that. Anonymity plus connectivity breeds a mixture of curiosity, confidence, and willingness. What would you do if you were invincible and had the ability to do anything you wanted? It’s not so much the anonymity and connectivity that equals misbehavior and cruelty online, it’s the openness and confidence people possess when they do not directly have to deal with the responsibilities that come with their actions. Depending on the person, their morals, and the degree, to which they follow those morals, determines whether they will chose a path that will negatively or positively affect people.
