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Greenfields
Guest
Could you physically give up using the Internet if you wanted to?Do you ever see yourself getting on in life without it?
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pensmama87
Guest
I think I could socially. I recently spent some time visiting relatives who live in an area that has very limited Internet access, and I didn’t use it at all, and didn’t miss it.
I do use it for bills and managing the house a lot. It would be possible to go back to doing all that on paper, but also annoying. I’d have to get a larger filing cabinet too.
I do use it for bills and managing the house a lot. It would be possible to go back to doing all that on paper, but also annoying. I’d have to get a larger filing cabinet too.
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christofirst
Guest
Sometimes I would like to do without the internet, but increasingly it is not just a social and entertainment tool. I have numerous business transactions which can now only be accomplished online. The US mail is no longer an option for paying a few of my bills. Another example: I can still call my doctor and leave a message, but the odds are good he will not return my call. If I email him, he answers right away, the same day. Even filing my taxes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to even find paper forms. I feel I am being pushed to do everything online 
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That said, I would find it very difficult to just completely disconnect from the internet. And since I am going to have it anyway, I will continue to use the social and entertainment aspects, even though I know they do not always enrich my life - more like a waste of time, too often.
When it comes to the internet, what I really need is discipline, self-regulation. I wonder if I can buy that online
.That said, I would find it very difficult to just completely disconnect from the internet. And since I am going to have it anyway, I will continue to use the social and entertainment aspects, even though I know they do not always enrich my life - more like a waste of time, too often.
When it comes to the internet, what I really need is discipline, self-regulation. I wonder if I can buy that online
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Allegra
Guest
It has become very hard on those who are not online. A lot of opportunities and services are closed to you if you do not have access to the internet. Many business transaction can only be done online. For example, we made the number one parental mistake of families travelling with toddlers. We left the blanket in the hotel. THE blanket. 
:crying::crying::crying: So, of course we called UPS, and it turns out the only way to resolve this situation was on the internet, which of course, we didn’t have access to because we were camping in the Colorado Rockies. I spent hours on the phone until I was
, but until I could get to a computer, I was out of luck. I personally, think it stinks. I am grateful for faster service and the convenience of the internet, but I resent that it’s quickly becoming the exclusive way to do business. You need the internet to search and apply for jobs, purchase many items, even to reserve concert tickets. The phone and in person options are quickly fading because businesses realize that they have to pay people to work in stores, sit at desks, and answer phones. The most obnoxious situation is when your computer won’t hook up to the internet, and they tell you to fill out a help desk ticket…online.
:crying::crying::crying: So, of course we called UPS, and it turns out the only way to resolve this situation was on the internet, which of course, we didn’t have access to because we were camping in the Colorado Rockies. I spent hours on the phone until I was
, but until I could get to a computer, I was out of luck. I personally, think it stinks. I am grateful for faster service and the convenience of the internet, but I resent that it’s quickly becoming the exclusive way to do business. You need the internet to search and apply for jobs, purchase many items, even to reserve concert tickets. The phone and in person options are quickly fading because businesses realize that they have to pay people to work in stores, sit at desks, and answer phones. The most obnoxious situation is when your computer won’t hook up to the internet, and they tell you to fill out a help desk ticket…online.
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CradleJourney
Guest
As I glance fondly to my left at my filing cabinet, notebooks and binders, then to my right at three of my six full sized (and fully stocked) bookcases, smile, I can answer that I could easily manage to entertain myself forever without the internet though I’d miss a few things.
Socially, it’d be a bit more difficult, but I was isolated before the internet and still often feel isolated because I don’t have a smart phone, so I’d manage, but I’d really miss my online friends and connections with those in real life who update via social media.
As a parent though??? NOPE. No way. I’d be sunk. At a total loss.
Not because the kids need the internet to use themselves.
Rather that everything to do with school, scouts, pto, soccer, football, camps, colleges, etc. is pretty much ONLY online now. From the high school course catalog to the middle school dress code. The school calendar. Information about colleges for my son to preview and email for him to make visit requests. The team’s practices, games, locations, fee payment, uniform ordering for both soccer and football - all online. Swim lesson sign ups, events at the local library and park, volunteer opportunities - all online.
And the final blessing - online parent chat groups with those who’s kids go to the same schools and college as mine do. Excellent resource for making sure I’m always “in the know” as to what’s happening, what deadlines are approaching, what changes are occurring (or are being debated).
I could not see any way of raising my kids without the internet unless I were to pull them out of school and all activities and home school them. But then, most homeschoolers I know regularly use the internet to support their home learning and to communicate with other homeschoolers.
So until the last one has meandered off to grad school, my paper obsession will have to be supplemented by the net.
Socially, it’d be a bit more difficult, but I was isolated before the internet and still often feel isolated because I don’t have a smart phone, so I’d manage, but I’d really miss my online friends and connections with those in real life who update via social media.
As a parent though??? NOPE. No way. I’d be sunk. At a total loss.
Not because the kids need the internet to use themselves.
Rather that everything to do with school, scouts, pto, soccer, football, camps, colleges, etc. is pretty much ONLY online now. From the high school course catalog to the middle school dress code. The school calendar. Information about colleges for my son to preview and email for him to make visit requests. The team’s practices, games, locations, fee payment, uniform ordering for both soccer and football - all online. Swim lesson sign ups, events at the local library and park, volunteer opportunities - all online.
And the final blessing - online parent chat groups with those who’s kids go to the same schools and college as mine do. Excellent resource for making sure I’m always “in the know” as to what’s happening, what deadlines are approaching, what changes are occurring (or are being debated).
I could not see any way of raising my kids without the internet unless I were to pull them out of school and all activities and home school them. But then, most homeschoolers I know regularly use the internet to support their home learning and to communicate with other homeschoolers.
So until the last one has meandered off to grad school, my paper obsession will have to be supplemented by the net.
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michaelArc
Guest
Last Sunday our new internet was down nearly all day. My wife and I looked at each other and I said, '‘what do we do with ourselves?’
I couldn’t go a day without it.
But we have a rule not to use it when on vacation, except for arranging pertinent travel details and GPS.
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faithsmind
Guest
Online parent chat groups are a great idea! What platform does your school use for this? Is there something better than fb that might allow for sport and class subgroups, I hope? I’m going to suggest this at our schools…As I glance fondly to my left at my filing cabinet, notebooks and binders, then to my right at three of my six full sized (and fully stocked) bookcases, smile, I can answer that I could easily manage to entertain myself forever without the internet though I’d miss a few things.
Socially, it’d be a bit more difficult, but I was isolated before the internet and still often feel isolated because I don’t have a smart phone, so I’d manage, but I’d really miss my online friends and connections with those in real life who update via social media.
As a parent though??? NOPE. No way. I’d be sunk. At a total loss.
Not because the kids need the internet to use themselves.
Rather that everything to do with school, scouts, pto, soccer, football, camps, colleges, etc. is pretty much ONLY online now. From the high school course catalog to the middle school dress code. The school calendar. Information about colleges for my son to preview and email for him to make visit requests. The team’s practices, games, locations, fee payment, uniform ordering for both soccer and football - all online. Swim lesson sign ups, events at the local library and park, volunteer opportunities - all online.
And the final blessing - online parent chat groups with those who’s kids go to the same schools and college as mine do. Excellent resource for making sure I’m always “in the know” as to what’s happening, what deadlines are approaching, what changes are occurring (or are being debated).
I could not see any way of raising my kids without the internet unless I were to pull them out of school and all activities and home school them. But then, most homeschoolers I know regularly use the internet to support their home learning and to communicate with other homeschoolers.
So until the last one has meandered off to grad school, my paper obsession will have to be supplemented by the net.
I tried to switch to a flip phone for a while to cut down on it. But I really rely on those calendar alerts in my phone.
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ConfusedLucy
Guest
I use the internet for so many things I know I would struggle without it. I do virtually all my banking online, I look up recipes (though I also have good books), sometimes for advice like how to clean tomato soup from the carpet, some shopping, looking up train times or opening times.
However for me by far the biggest challenge would be my social life, all my family and most friends live elsewhere and it’s great to be able to use WhatsApp to chat and instantly send pictures. I get annoyed when some annoying git says “why don’t you log off and go see them?”, yeah because I can just travel 200 miles and back on a work night
However for me by far the biggest challenge would be my social life, all my family and most friends live elsewhere and it’s great to be able to use WhatsApp to chat and instantly send pictures. I get annoyed when some annoying git says “why don’t you log off and go see them?”, yeah because I can just travel 200 miles and back on a work night
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faithsmind
Guest
Yeah, the Internet is really not all that bad haha. But sometimes it’s very hard to prioritize and switch tasks to things that you should be doing. Well, like finishing the dinner dishes for instance.I use the internet for so many things I know I would struggle without it. I do virtually all my banking online, I look up recipes (though I also have good books), sometimes for advice like how to clean tomato soup from the carpet, some shopping, looking up train times or opening times.
However for me by far the biggest challenge would be my social life, all my family and most friends live elsewhere and it’s great to be able to use WhatsApp to chat and instantly send pictures. I get annoyed when some annoying git says “why don’t you log off and go see them?”, yeah because I can just travel 200 miles and back on a work night
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PacificNorthwes
Guest
No, I couldn’t give up internet at this point. Of course, being older I know how things were done before the days of internet, but it is so much easier with it. Even if I wanted to give it up, business transactions are set up these days that it would make it extra hard to accomplish things without the internet. The social media stuff I don’t care for so no big loss there - not ever going to use facebook and put all my personal information and photos online for all to see.
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ToeInTheWater
Guest
I suspect that asking this question on an Internet forum, is going to bias the results somewhat… 
And at this point, I actually find “automated phone support” to be more annoying than using e-mail or “Internet chat” to resolve a customer service issue. (The latter also leaves a (virtual) paper trail, that phone calls don’t).
I agree with you about the social media stuff, though.
As an admittedly very disorganized, semi-hoarder, I’d likely wind up hiding from collection agencies all the time, if not for Internet tools to not only pay bills, but to remind me to pay them, or even pay them automatically in some cases.
And at this point, I actually find “automated phone support” to be more annoying than using e-mail or “Internet chat” to resolve a customer service issue. (The latter also leaves a (virtual) paper trail, that phone calls don’t).
I agree with you about the social media stuff, though.
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CradleJourney
Guest
It’s all on facebook - each school / group has a page they update the regular events on and share public photos … then parents involved form their own private groups for chat (such as Blank High School Football Parents or Parents of MIT Students or Washington PTO chat). I simply join the appropriate groups and mark them as favorites - so I’m notified when something’s posted.
I use a desk calendar and a portable checkbook size planner - not sure I’ll ever give up my flip phone.
Many teachers here are using Remind (sends messages to everyone’s phone) but I like FB better because it allows for more communication (and doesn’t chime at me all day but sits there till I log in).
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Allegra
Guest
In a related story, I read earlier today about a 14yo girl who accidentally electrocuted herself by trying to use her phone in the bathtub while it was plugged in!
While the internet is a very useful too to get things done, I think it’s dangerous when it has our attention 24/7.
While the internet is a very useful too to get things done, I think it’s dangerous when it has our attention 24/7.
mathematoons
New member
I’d love to quit the Internet. But the world these days is structured so we can’t get by without it. So I’m trying to quit recreational “surfing” and minimize the use of mobile devices.
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Bruised_Reed
Guest
I love many of the advantages that technology offers. I’ve used a well known map app and whether I changed my destination mid-trip or got off on the wrong exit it got me to where I wanted to be. No one got impatient with me, and I didn’t have to pull over and study a map. I also like being able to look up information on anything and everything. When my computer is updating or I’m on the laptop that isn’t connected to the Internet I feel lost if I can’t immediately look something up. I think I could do without social media or things like Netflix if I had to. And as much as I like my kindle app, I prefer paper books.
I’ve also experienced the downside of being reliant on tech, though not specifically internet, when my phone went on the fritz and I lost my calendar and a lot of photos. I didn’t want something internet based like Google products but here I am. My calendar and pics are backed up. It would take more time and money to have paper planner or print or otherwise save pictures.
I’ve also experienced the downside of being reliant on tech, though not specifically internet, when my phone went on the fritz and I lost my calendar and a lot of photos. I didn’t want something internet based like Google products but here I am. My calendar and pics are backed up. It would take more time and money to have paper planner or print or otherwise save pictures.
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Greenfields
Guest
Apart from the pros and cons of the Internet
I guess I felt real dismay one day out in the garden (where I do my thinking )
realising how I was now practically unable to live without the internet.
Having said that,I will strive to be free of it someday,no matter how practical it is.
Until I learned how to use it in 2013 in order to meet my husband I happily lived without it.
For myself,I dislike to be dependant on a ‘thing’. I like to be able to have that choice if I choose.
I guess I felt real dismay one day out in the garden (where I do my thinking )
realising how I was now practically unable to live without the internet.
Having said that,I will strive to be free of it someday,no matter how practical it is.
Until I learned how to use it in 2013 in order to meet my husband I happily lived without it.
For myself,I dislike to be dependant on a ‘thing’. I like to be able to have that choice if I choose.
I’m sure I could. Many people in the past had to do just that. The internet has only been around for 20 years or so. However, it certainly would make life a lot more complicated. I use it for paying bills, doing college work, buying stuff, booking holidays, keeping in touch with friends etc.
I also find you can get bargains on many items that are more expensive in “real-life” shops if you shop online.
I guess my answer is, yeah I probably could if I was forced to…but I wouldn’t like it.
I do think there exists a tendency these days to think that the technological advancements of our age somehow impact more on our lives than ones that came before. When you think about it, many people in history have lived through drastic technological changes that affect their everyday lives.
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