Is the Internet a Bad thing?

[Nation]

I could go off on this topic for hours --- the Internet has provided many a great thing, most of which have already been expressed here on this thread. Decentralization of knowledge, the greatest research tool ever invented, the increase of convenience in all things, the greatest communication tool ever invented, and so on.

However, I really believe that the Internet is NOT going to be good in the long term for a lot of people, specifically the generation growing up right now, essentially on TV and the Internet.  It allows people to essentially isolate themselves from real human interaction, substituting it with interaction nonetheless, just with words and avatars instead of other people.

It's already taboo in our society to try and make friends with strangers, even interact with people you don't know.  I don't think the Internet is the cause of this, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it's going to help in the long run.

You can almost live your entire life without having to leave your computer --- pay your bills, make money, even order your groceries online and have them delivered to you. Everything's becoming faster/more efficient/less personable. Those first two sound nice, maybe all three to some folks, but I just can't see this as healthy if we continue this kind of "progress."

I love the Internet as much as the next geek, but I also believe there are a lot of large, possible problems associated with it that some of you aren't seeing or ignoring.