Thomas 1

Mitchell, William J. "The Internet Promotes Social Interaction." The Information Revolution. Ed.
Laura K. Egendorf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
In this article, William Mitchell describes the benefits of online interaction and the positive
outcomes it provides for internet users. He claims that the internet produces a safe space for any
person, no matter their age, race, gender, appearance, etc., to express their opinions and
experiences without the risk of being ridiculed face to face or judged based on non-important
factors such as the way they look or what their voice sounds like. The internet is a useful tool for
individuals to meet people who share the same ideas that they do and to collaborate with others
with less social anxiety. This will help support my argument that the internet and social media
are places to effectively express opinions and ideas.
Rosenwald, Michael S. "Can Facebook Help Overcome Shyness?" Washington Post 12 Feb.
2011. Rpt. in Are Social Networking Sites Harmful? Ed. Noah Berlatsky. Farmington
Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2015. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19
Sept. 2016.
Michael Rosenwald explains the perks of Facebook for certain individuals in this article. He uses
specific people as examples as to how social media sites, such as Facebook, create a space for
shyer individuals to come out of their shell. Social networking websites can assist people in
forming friendships and expressing themselves more genuinely than they may be able to face-toface. Rosenwald also provides examples of people who do not find social media to be helpful,
which will help with my counterargument. This supports my view that the internet is a way to
overcome social anxiety and express truer personalities.

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Scheff, Sue. "Social Networking Sites Can Limit Interpersonal Skills and Physical Activity." Are
Social Networking Sites Harmful? Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011.
At Issue. Rpt. from "Wrapped Up In the Web: The Dangers of Teen Internet Addiction."
www.sue-scheff.net. 2007. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
Sue Scheff argues that teens can be very negatively affected by the internet and social media. She
claims that teenagers social skills will decrease when they do not experience face-to-face
interaction with their peers, along with not dealing with the usual negative social issues of teen
years. Scheff believes that if teenagers also do not experience positive traditional social events,
they will not learn how to effectively make friendships with people outside of the internet. This
will help provide a counterargument to my opinion by stating that the internet creates more social
problems and hinderances than positive social outcomes.