Question #3

Has this increased membership and participation in Internet groups effected people's view of themselves and their identity? If so, how and why?

I think that increased membership and participation in the Internet groups has definitely affected people’s view of themselves and their identity. I think that people feel a lot more comfortable expressing themselves when they do not have to visually see the person they are talking to. The internet can also sometimes boost people’s self esteem and give them the confidence to say what they really want to say. In other situations it may bring their confidence level down. I think the fact that so many people spend such a great amount of time conversing virtually, people could become depressed and feel alone. Conversing on the internet does not have the same sort of social satisfaction as when face to face. When people are spending a great deal of time indoors staring at a computer screen and having to physical human interaction, it could become a problem.