It goes without saying: the internet is pretty amazing. But I feel like we need to keep reminding ourselves of this, especially when researchers mouth off with opinions about just how bad it can be for you. The latest opinion? The internet may cause autism. Right...
Researchers in the UK are considering the possibility that increased time spent online may cause autism.
They argue that by spending more time online and less time interacting with real human beings, heavy internet users may develop autistic tendencies. Which, really, means Asperger Syndrome, but "autism" gets so much more attention, doesn't it?
Real-life conversations "require a sensitivity to voice tone, body language and perhaps even to pheromones - those sneaky molecules that we release and which others smell subconsciously.
"Moreover, according to the context and, indeed, the person with whom we are conversing, our own delivery will need to adapt. None of these skills are required when chatting on a social networking site," she said.
This can be fixed easily enough. Children and adults who aren't truly autistic can be taught to respond to social cues.
Parents: don't let your child sit on the computer for 8 hours a day. Adult heavy internet users: make sure you hit up the social scene every once in awhile or you'll become socially retarded.
For anyone who fully understands autism spectrum disorders, you know that the social problems are much more severe than these researchers are making them out the be.
Of course, if you spend too much time alone - whether it be reading a book or surfing the internet - you're likely to lose a little of your social skills. But it's a stretch by claiming it can lead you to develop autism.
Arguments are also being made that the internet causes ADHD. This one I can kind of understand. Constantly clicking from tab to tab in Firefox, managing 3 different conversations over gChat, replying to 6 emails... it can get a little hectic. But do we have ADHD, or are we just efficient multi-taskers?
Coming from a scientific academic background, I'm not inclined to believe these researchers' opinions without some solid evidence to back it up.
But really people: spend some time away from the computer and talking to other human beings. It's good for you, even if they are a little annoying.
Image from Getty.