I found a time machine today, it contained an article from some sort of future science magazine. I'll see if I can get the machine to deliver more soon:
June 15th 2018 - "Network Addicts 'Socially Impaired'"
'Network junkies' show a decreased ability for empathy and social reasoning, according to a new study published this week.
Psychologists at New York Metatechnic have shown that when cut off from the Network those identified as 'heavy users' -- defined as using The Network interactively for over seven hours per day -- perform less well in social situations than their peers.
Although this statistic is worrying, the situation has the potential to explode. "Ever since the creation of the global ubiquitous Network connection and the advent of affordable wearable computers many people never disconnect" says Ken Norris at the University of Reading in the UK. "For those in vulnerable and difficult situations interacting with the Network can become an escape from the unpleasantries of real life to the point that some people can barely function in the real world."
Although global information exchange has allowed many to increase their social boundaries and revolutionised the way that society as a whole thinks about information it takes on a more unhealthy tone for others. According to Stanford University professor Ken Liebnitz "Some of these people [heavy users] begin to build up online social groups based around niche hobbies, and as positive reinforcement acts within these small communities it leads to behavioural patterns outside of those accepted by the mainstream".
Interacting with such homogeneous groups has been found by previous studies to decrease conflict mediation and social reasoning skills and has been linked to a two point drop on the social competence scale
As a greater fraction of the population becomes reliant on The Network for not only their informational, but also social needs, the medical and psychiatric professions will be faced with a whole new set of challenges. Will they be able to adapt?
