Asked by k.
Write an argumentative essay about whether you think technology and the Internet have brought young people closer together. Use evidence from research to support your position.
in 8th grade terms
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Thesis: Overall, technology and the Internet have brought young people closer together because they allow teens to talk more often, keep friendships across distance, and find support from people with similar experiences. However, this closeness is not always deep, and online life can also cause loneliness and misunderstandings. To use tech well, young people need to balance online contact with real-life time and thoughtful communication.
How technology helps young people get closer
- More chances to talk. Research shows that most teens have regular access to smartphones and the Internet, and many say they are online almost constantly (Pew Research Center, 2018). Because friends can message, text, video chat, or post updates at any time, they can stay in touch more often than before. Studies by Valkenburg and Peter (2009) found that online communication can increase feelings of closeness and intimacy among teenagers when they use it to talk with friends they already trust.
- Keeping long-distance friendships. Before smartphones and social media, moving to a new town often meant losing daily contact with old friends. Now, teens can keep friendships alive across cities or countries. This means young people can keep the supportive relationships that matter to them even when life changes.
- Finding support and new communities. The Internet helps young people find others who share their interests or identities. For example, many LGBTQ+ youth report finding support and community online when they can’t find it nearby (The Trevor Project and related research). Online groups, fan communities, and interest-based forums let teens connect with people who understand them, which can reduce feelings of isolation.
Problems and limits to online closeness
- Surface-level contact. Even though teens may “talk” more, much communication is short—like likes, emojis, or quick messages. That can feel positive, but it does not always build deep trust. Some researchers argue that face-to-face time and longer conversations are still important for strong friendships.
- Links to loneliness and worse mental health. Not all research says the Internet makes people feel closer. Studies like Primack et al. (2017) found that heavier social media use is associated with higher perceived social isolation. Other researchers, such as Jean Twenge (2017), have observed that as smartphone use rose, some youth reported more depression and loneliness. These studies don’t always prove that social media causes these problems, but they show a strong connection that worries experts.
- Misunderstandings and conflicts. Online messages can be misread. Without tone of voice or body language, jokes or opinion differences can turn into fights. Also, seeing only highlight reels of others’ lives can cause jealousy or FOMO (fear of missing out), which can harm relationships.
Weighing the evidence
- The research suggests a mixed but overall positive result: technology increases the amount of contact and gives young people more ways to find friends and support. Valkenburg and Peter (2009) and Pew Research findings show clear benefits for staying connected. But studies like Primack et al. (2017) and Twenge (2017) warn that more contact does not always mean better or deeper relationships; heavy social media use can be linked to feeling isolated.
- That means technology is a powerful tool that can both build and harm closeness. How it affects young people depends a lot on how they use it—whether they use it to strengthen real friendships or to replace real-life connection with shallow scrolling.
Conclusion and suggestion
Technology and the Internet have generally brought young people closer in many important ways: they talk more, keep friendships across distance, and find communities that support them. But the closeness is not automatic. To make online connections healthier and deeper, teens and adults should encourage regular face-to-face time, meaningful conversations (not just quick messages), and limits on heavy social media use. Used wisely, technology can help young people feel more connected—and not just more connected online, but closer in real life too.
How technology helps young people get closer
- More chances to talk. Research shows that most teens have regular access to smartphones and the Internet, and many say they are online almost constantly (Pew Research Center, 2018). Because friends can message, text, video chat, or post updates at any time, they can stay in touch more often than before. Studies by Valkenburg and Peter (2009) found that online communication can increase feelings of closeness and intimacy among teenagers when they use it to talk with friends they already trust.
- Keeping long-distance friendships. Before smartphones and social media, moving to a new town often meant losing daily contact with old friends. Now, teens can keep friendships alive across cities or countries. This means young people can keep the supportive relationships that matter to them even when life changes.
- Finding support and new communities. The Internet helps young people find others who share their interests or identities. For example, many LGBTQ+ youth report finding support and community online when they can’t find it nearby (The Trevor Project and related research). Online groups, fan communities, and interest-based forums let teens connect with people who understand them, which can reduce feelings of isolation.
Problems and limits to online closeness
- Surface-level contact. Even though teens may “talk” more, much communication is short—like likes, emojis, or quick messages. That can feel positive, but it does not always build deep trust. Some researchers argue that face-to-face time and longer conversations are still important for strong friendships.
- Links to loneliness and worse mental health. Not all research says the Internet makes people feel closer. Studies like Primack et al. (2017) found that heavier social media use is associated with higher perceived social isolation. Other researchers, such as Jean Twenge (2017), have observed that as smartphone use rose, some youth reported more depression and loneliness. These studies don’t always prove that social media causes these problems, but they show a strong connection that worries experts.
- Misunderstandings and conflicts. Online messages can be misread. Without tone of voice or body language, jokes or opinion differences can turn into fights. Also, seeing only highlight reels of others’ lives can cause jealousy or FOMO (fear of missing out), which can harm relationships.
Weighing the evidence
- The research suggests a mixed but overall positive result: technology increases the amount of contact and gives young people more ways to find friends and support. Valkenburg and Peter (2009) and Pew Research findings show clear benefits for staying connected. But studies like Primack et al. (2017) and Twenge (2017) warn that more contact does not always mean better or deeper relationships; heavy social media use can be linked to feeling isolated.
- That means technology is a powerful tool that can both build and harm closeness. How it affects young people depends a lot on how they use it—whether they use it to strengthen real friendships or to replace real-life connection with shallow scrolling.
Conclusion and suggestion
Technology and the Internet have generally brought young people closer in many important ways: they talk more, keep friendships across distance, and find communities that support them. But the closeness is not automatic. To make online connections healthier and deeper, teens and adults should encourage regular face-to-face time, meaningful conversations (not just quick messages), and limits on heavy social media use. Used wisely, technology can help young people feel more connected—and not just more connected online, but closer in real life too.
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