do you think that the internet attracts people that are mentally unstable?

i think that if too much time is spent on the internet it can be harmful, however, there are things i went through with classmates as i was growing up that eventually i couldn't talk to people anymore. Using certain sites like this has helped me to re-develope my skills in keeping a conversation with people, and also helps to remind me that everyone is not like those i had experience with. So i guess what i am saying is that if it is used right with responsability it can be very helpful...but it can't be the only thing that is done, still have to get out and be interactive, exercise, do other things you enjoy etc.

Good point, I think that people that have a hard time in other social situations feel more comfortable talking on the internet.

Well I'm here so it must be. What's your excuse? LOL. The great thing about this type of site and activity is that we can come out and be loud or as quiet as we want. I used to be a very confident person. Following illness though, I would rather hide away, or be with one or two others. I force myself to go out, I guide in our local cathedral which means that I have to talk to large groups, but inside of me a voice is shouting "run away". I don't deny that I have issues. But I'm not a murderer or child abuser or psychopath. Just a bit bonkers! Eccentric some might call it.

No... Internet is a very useful tool in our life. We can get a lot of information from internet. It's not use as to just attract people. I hope that everyone will use internet vicely.

To a certain point it would be good for a person to interact on the net if they do not get out much. There is a point you have to draw the line. If you are spending all day and night on the internet I can't beleive that would be health. You need other ways to socialize to! I think people like the net because they can hide behind the pc and be who they want to be not who they are.

There are two types of people on the Internet, both for the same reason. There are those that are completely open because they are hidden and not vulnerable. There are those that are completely phony because they can get away with it because they are hidden and not vulnerable.

Hello moon, I guess there are people really who can expressed here better than in real life..Who can interact great than in personal..So, my answer is Yes..and for some I am sure, it helped them a lot to overcome the shyness and unstability once they will be able to meet someone whom they can call real friends!

I kinda think it's a mix. Mostly because, well, I have talked to all kinda of people online through the years, and for the most part, the people who I've met who had mental issues were people I met through message boards and e-mail groups for different issues I deal with. So in that case they knew they had issues. Of course I guess it's possible that people who seem to be completely "normal" could be masking issues. Me, I've always been pretty open about my issues, sometimes too open. I do think that the internet is my escape, but because I really can't talk to people in real life, well, very occasionally, but most the time I can't, unless someone starts a conversation with me. But yea, I think sometimes I use the internet as an escape from my real life, but at time same time, I can't seem to hide the real me even online, it eventually comes out, but if I was someone who was in denial maybe that would be different.

I think the internet (as with any social gathering facility) attracts all manner of people for a variety of reasons. If you find yourself chatting to alot of unstable persons, its possible that you are playing out your own concerns and facilitating their instability. In general there are mentally unstable people everywhere, it just depends whether you can see it and to what extent. I tend to see them most on trains on my way to work ...

Hello, I think in the world of the internet that you will come across many , many different types of people . There is good , and bad everywhere , but ya gotta rememeber that the good are mixed in with the bad sometimes . I have always believed though that there is more good out there . Most times listen to your gut feeling on someone you meet .

...I think that it helps with social skills and helps people like that to practice interacting with people in a stable environment. I guess it's a good thing, as long as they don't get anti-social in real life.

I think the internet is a very bad place for unstable people, It seems like the internet is just made for people to offend other people.

I think the internet makes it easier for people with social problems to interact with other people. I also think that it is harmful for that same reason. I myself find I hide behind the keyboard because it's easier than facing people. But what am I teaching my children? People need to get out and interact with each other. I need to get out and interact with people. The internet should be used for information and purpose- not necessarily entertainment.

Yeah, I agree that Internet is a good place for you to escape from the reality. You can conceal your true identity in Internet and be whatever you want to be by using words alone. However, this doesn't mean that it will not attract those people who are already very successful in their real life. After all, Internet is also a place for fast transfer of information.

I think that the internet - much like all other mediums before it - attracts people of all different types, ages, and mental levels. The internet doesn't attract "mentally unstable" people because they think they can get away with being different, it attracts them for the same reasons it attracts you and I. Then again, that all depends on what you define as "mentally unstable".

I think that the internet helps people who would otherwise not be able to socialize do so. Whether it is a physicial or emotional handicap, it becomes much easier for people to interect when they don't have to "really" get out in society. You can "meet" people without facing them. Does it attract the mentally unstable? Sure. But you will find mentally unstable people everywhere. Can it help people deal with their issues? Absolutely. Are we at greater risk of encountering people that are mentally unstable when we meet people online. Probably. But it is up to each person to be extremely careful when interacting with others who we have met online. People like to talk about the risks of meeting eachother online, but lately, I wonder how different is it from meeting someone at a bar, like it was done in the good ol' days. Meeting a person face to face does not guarantee that you will be able to judge them any better. People can be very good at masking their true intentions. There is always a risk of getting hurt (physically or emotionally) no matter where you meet a new person.

Through the Internet I have met people from all around the world. Thank You, Mr. Gates, you opened this window! Actually, the real world is still out there, some just use the isolation of social networking so that they don't have to be out in it. Others may have problems in personal confrontations and just choose to hide inside the Net! If, you don't talk to people on a daily basis and spend time with your on-line connections, you may be a bit of a recluse and not know it. Always remember that some "sick" people hide in the Internet and may be waiting to make you their prey. Be careful where you go and with what info you give out on the NET.

Not necessarily but not unlikely also. Internet allows people from all corners of the world among themsalves. Even you will not know who am I and if all my information the profile are correct. Dealing with their issues should not be bad idea. Whether a good or bad person, helping within leagl boundary should not create any problem. One of your good advise may be very useful for many other in the community. As I have said ther are good and bad person, not helping means not helping to good persons also.