I read the recent article in The Star regarding the blogging phenomenon enveloping our youths today. Several of our dear bloggers were mentioned in that article. I was quite disturbed by the fact that blogging was being described as an addiction, a psychological addiction, that is.

Although it is good for youths to relate to each other, it is when they indulge too much in a certain behaviour – like blogging – that the negative effects begin to outweigh the positive

There are many uses of blogging. Check out MMR. From sharing one's experience to the dissemination of information. There are many useful sites using the blogging format. It should not be generalised as a negative experience. However, I agree that if misused, it could have detrimental effects, like the "addiction" that was mentioned. The internet remains new to many individuals. It is the ignorance of this new technology that drives suspicion towards it.

Blogging could be just a passing fad and Paul advises young people to let it pass and grow from it.

Blogging, unfortunately for some, will not be a passing fad. It is definitely here to stay. As mentioned, it is a new way of communication and education. It also symbolises our right to free speech and a alley to demonstrate creative and artistic prowess. Look at all the wonderfully designed pages and the literary talent that surrounds us. It provides an avenue to express a feeling that would otherwise be suppressed one way or another. To me, it is just another way of communication and living, NOT an addiction.

Mind you, bloggers are not emotionally deprived individuals. Check out Loopy Meals. It certainly does not represent someone in "a need for attention, a need to be listened to, or even just a need for someone to be there for you". It is just a mean of documenting electronically his experiences as a first time to-be-father and inadvertently sharing his joy and happiness with friends and visitors alike. There is nothing conventional about it but it is something that only blogs could achieve.

“Human beings are social animals – we need to socialise, meet people, share feelings and spend time together. If we spend more and more time alone, facing the screen, we’ll be cutting cut down on our social time,” Paul says, adding that when that happens, bloggers – who may be good at putting words together on the screen – may be unable to express themselves when they meet with others in person.

Well, Mr Paul Jambunathan, you have obviously not met many bloggers. We do socialise not only with our regular friends but fellow bloggers as well. It is just a different concept of socialising, not one that entails long, useless and pathetic hours in the pubs or discotheques. We rather face the screen rather than the bottom of a glass! Perhaps Mr Paul Jambunathan should study closely the subject matter at hand before stereotyping an activity that is definitely here to stay. :)