The role of the Internet in shaping social values among Iraqi youth 2020: Baghdad University students as an example

With the advent of new technologies and development of modern communications, internet was born. Since then, it has quickly woven itself into our everyday lives. Without a doubt, our world which is currently experiencing cultural globalization thanks to such a phenomenon, is heading for another giant step towards human development, breaking down barriers of space and time. Therefore, our previously perceived borders are going to be swept away and the world is posed to embrace artificial intelligence as well as replace old traditions with borderless ones, which are no longer constrained to specific individuals or groups.

As an instance, the impacts of prevalence of internet addiction on psychological and physiological wellbeing as well as measures to curb its potentially harmful effects (from spending hours on WhatsApp, Facebook to YouTube and even games) were carefully explained to a select group of students from Bagdad University.

The results revealed that the aforesaid platforms inflict a rather devastating blow on students’ social values and, if continued for a longer period, will gradually diminish their mores and values. However, if the individual surfed useful websites, his set of values will not be violated or depreciated.

It also proved, yet again, that

 internet is a double-edged sword whose function can deeply impact our societies, our youths, and our values. The power of the current technology, though favored by several individuals and groups, can be ground for the spawning of socially negative ideas and values because it offers an uncharged and unchallenged platform to ignore old traditions, whether well-established or unconventional.