There are certain hindrances that make people decide from not using the Internet. Some people would still choose not to access the Internet even if they have heard wonderful encouraging words from other Internet-users. All these benefits we Internet-dependent people are enjoying or may have been taking for granted can be over the natural grasp and appreciation of some people.
I have a friend who looks down with disdain on me whenever I point out to him proudly that I make use of the Internet in most aspects of my daily social life. I have seen him cringed even at the idea of finding my profiles online one time he was looking for me when he lost his cellphone. Citing security reasons (he is a retired military person), he thinks I may have been exposing myself inadvertently to people not known to me, and which may be bad for me in the long run. Even if he knows how to use the internet (he uses it in his business), he is adamant against using it whenever he communicates with me (preferring to use the phone instead). I have met since then, others like him, with varying scornful attitudes towards the idea of using the Internet.
I have since been figuring out why some people are so-called “allergic” to accessing the Internet even during this period of time. My thoughts on such reasons include:
1) “Difficulty in accessing, or having an unstable or slow connection to the Internet.” Also, if ever they get connected, they have to consider paying additional fee for the connection.
2) The level of learning required to access and make use of the Internet is simply beyond them. Apparently, it takes too much for them to unlearn a lot of things in order to adjust to the wonders of using the Internet. They are satisfied with whatever technology they are using now, which does not need accessing the Internet.
3) The Internet reminds some people of the “newness” factor. This means a change, which can be scary to some of us. Also, in other countries, you will observe more advanced features on accessing the Internet, as provided in cellphones or some household appliances or vehicles, which can be overwhelming to some people.
4) The spam messages they receive from their emails can be really crushing, literally and figuratively. Some users take it personally whenever they receive such emails. Rather than thrashing them away, or just ignoring them, they would go to great extent to make big issues out of the receipt of such mails, not knowing that such messages are apparently part and parcel of living in the Internet age.
5) “Something about creepy ideas on meeting people online.” Let us admit it: some people have been misusing the Internet just to destroy those online, one way or another. They take advantage of the trusting nature of some people who use the Internet. Thus, some users may have heard a lot of bad stories on people who have met people online, which may have made them to shy away from using the Internet.
6) “No one around to coach them and answer their questions when they are accessing the Internet.” Some people need to have people they trust, and who would not condescendingly look down on them when given their ostensibly unfussy questions on using the Internet. Some would not endure the ridicule (or worst, people having fun at their expense) because they have questions on accessing the Internet.
7) The “strange” language being used when you have to explain yourself when you are accessing the Internet. This makes some users feel overwhelmed, or even worst out of place when being in front of the computer, trying to understand what is going on. The jargon really can be very mind-boggling to some people. Worst, some of those technology adept people have been observed to make fun of without them realizing they are behaving this way to people who are just trying to learn how to access the Internet.
