An article titled Social Networking plagues India Inc which is based on a survey conducted by Assocham just goes to show that they're really sleeping or threatened, while their world's moving forward!
A recent national survey conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India's (Assocham) Social Development Foundation revealed that 84% of Indian employees who have access to the world wide web are showing symptoms of internet addiction. They spend more than the "normal'' amount of time online, and show signs of irritability when they are interrupted from surfing, concludes the study.
With 93% of youngsters saying they were aware of social networking sites, and most averaging an hour a day on MySpace, LinkedIn, Orkut, et al, employers are looking at a productivity loss of nearly 12.5% every day. "The growing use of browsing sites can be dangerous for overall productivity. IT companies have already installed software to restrict use," said Assocham secretary general D S Rawat said".
And this, from a psychiatrist and HRD trainer:
"On the other hand, being constantly logged online and indulging in 'faceless' communication is detrimental to one's health,'' he said. Dr Rajendra Barve, psychiatrist and HRD trainer concurred "This mindset is making people a slave to machines,'' he said.
India Inc, and Dr. Barve, you must be kidding!! Build firewalls, and people will find ways across them. Kill their access on their computers, and they will turn to their mobile phones as your study has shown. How will you block that? They will never stop, because the internet is a way of life, with its own ecology, culture and social behaviours that more often than not, enhance our world. It is a part of my world, and yours, and theirs. It is not a fad that will pass and it's definitely not about "faceless communication", nor is it a drug you get addicted to.
You must learn how to embrace it, and use the flows to your advantage in this emerging knowledge economy. Here's a start. [picture credit: Gaping Void].
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