Critical Thinking and the Internet: A Self-Reflection
Consider your “online story.” How do you use the internet? What are the consequences or rewards of that
internet use? Do not consider just social media behaviors, but also online articles you read and post, as well as
purchases you make on the Internet, and other services that may make your life simpler. Also consider how
important things like your tablet, phone, and computer are in your life. How do you react when you’ve
misplaced your phone?
“I don’t really use the internet” is not honest, nor is it an option for this paper.
The Assignment:
Critically examine all the ways in which the use of the internet affects your life. Consider the psychological,
private, and consumer implications of an internet world – and apply those considerations to how they play out
in your own life. Some research questions to help you get started:
1. How does the use (or overuse?) of social media affect friendship, familial relationships, and romance?
2. How private are we, really?
3. How secure is your information? Your money? Your wifi?
4. How does the era of big data and sophisticated marketing affect the free market?
5. How much of your choice as a consumer is being driven by online influences? How far is too far for
companies to go in their quest to “know you” as a consumer?
6. How does the internet affect government? Not just elections, but government procedures, policies,
even voting? Law enforcement techniques?
7. How do we preserve critical thinking in an internet world of memes, fallacies, and outright lies?
Obviously, this is too long and too intense of a list to be covered in one essay. These should give you some
idea of the level of complexity I am looking for you to strive for. Do not write the same old, “too much
facebook sucks” narrative we’ve seen in the news for the last decade. Remember that this is a critical thinking
class and so you should be using those research questions as jumping off points. You still need a specific,
significant, clear thesis to defend and prove using reasons and evidence.
Because this essay is a personal narrative, the use of the first-person point of view, is acceptable. However,
please keep your language academic and creative. This is still an academic essay, not a diary entry.
Details:
• 5-7 pages.
• This is a narrative essay and as such should include story telling details that place your reader in a
scene, which you then dissect the implications of. Remember to use your five senses. How does
something smell, feel, sound, taste and look?
• You must be able to synthesize your own personal experiences with the data and research that is
available to you.
• At least 3 outside sources must be included.
• A properly formatted works cited page is present.
• All MLA citation and essay formatting guidelines are maintained.
Dates:
• Rough drafts: Sunday, April 2
• Peer Reviews: Wednesday, April 5
• Final drafts: Sunday, April 9