Lauren Wille

I really cannot remember life without the internet. I mean, I know that there was a time in my life when it wasn’t there, but for the most part it was. I don’t think there’s a question of “how the internet has impacted my life.” The internet pretty much IS my life. I’m constantly connected, constantly searching, and I don’t do much else. I had to buy a Verizon Wireless USB for my computer because if I go somewhere and there’s no WiFi, I freak out. I pay the extra $50 a month to have internet wherever I go. I use the internet 24/7 and if I can’t have access I would rather stare at a wall than do anything else. Seriously. Even when I’m watching TV I need to have my lap top on my lap so I can surf during the commercials. The Internet=LIFE.

If I remember correctly I think I became an active internet user when I was 7 or 8 years old. I taught myself how to type, and because of that never learned to use more than 3 fingers. Every time someone watches me type it’s like “Dude, you don’t use all your fingers?” No, I don’t. And I can still type 100 wpm. Not even after taking several computer/typing classes did I become accustom to the standard “correct” way of typing. 

So what was I doing at 7 years old online? Chat rooms. Not just any chat room. Nickolodeon chat rooms. I would sit there for hours trying to enter full chat rooms and press the Return button over and over until I got in. Then, when I finally got in, this is what showed up:

8/m/NJ

9/f/FL

7/f/MN

9/m/IL

10/m/NY

and the list goes on. That’s AGE SEX LOCATION talk, by the way. haha. 

Anyways, I guess what I am trying to get at is the internet impacted my life because I got started at a young age. I mean, my mom still doesn’t know how to look at couches online. I’ve taught myself how to find things and what stuff means. I grew up knowing that the internet can do anything. And today, 3-year-olds know that. I knew very young that there was no need for me to dig through the menu drawer when I could look up the restaurant online. I knew that I didn’t have to flip through the sidetracks of the newspaper to find movie times when all I had to do was type in www.regalcinemas.com. 

The internet has impacted my life by making it easier.