[Prathima]

Technological advancements have helped in creating easy connectivity across the globe. There is an opinion among a few that this development has made individuals more social. I partially disagree to this viewpoint, because can also also lead to many mental health issues and reduced face-to-face interactions; even though it helps to contact any person in the world instantly.

To begin with, ease of networking with use of modern amenities like social media platforms via the internet has undoubtedly brought people closer in spite of the physical distance among them. Particularly, it is a boon to many people staying far away from families or overseas as they are able to stay in touch with them regularly and even see them through video calls. It has also helped people in maintaining social connections especially considering the current pandemic situation. Many platforms like twitter, facebook, instagram have helped people to find their long-lost friends or distant family members which would otherwise have been impossible.

However, the increased dependence on these new age technologies is affecting many persons, mostly the youth negatively by causing mental health disorders like anxiety, depression and reduced interpersonal communications. The dependence and validity they seek in the virtual world can be addictive, as a consequence of which young generation may develop behavioral disorders which are already being witnessed. Also, the fun and energy gained by meeting with loved ones directly can never be compared to interacting with them online.

In conclusion, although the latest innovations are a gift to mankind, which helps to bring people together socially, unchecked use of these can have deleterious effects on the society.

[Prathima]

Pet animals have been integral part of human civilizations from time immemorial. Having them at home can be a great value especially for kids as it encourages virtues of compassion and care. Meanwhile, some individuals are of the opinion that they pose health risks and can be hazardous. In this essay I will discuss both the sides and give my opinion.

On one hand, taking care of pet animals inculcates the values of care, compassion in children, furthermore helping them to empathize with their needs without communication through language. This can help in development of emotional quotient of the young ones. To illustrate, it has been noted in a comparative scientific study that kids growing up a pet or pets are better emotionally equipped to deal with situations as adults , than those who did not possess them at during their younger days. Some domestic animals like dogs can also act as guards alerting the owner to any intruders.

On the other hand, they can also bring along some risks like physical danger to small infants in the form of bites or even threat to life if not well supervised by a responsible adult. Animals can be carriers of various diseases and infections, which can spread to humans if the animals are not vaccinated and timely taken medical attention is not sought. For example, there are many cases of animal scabies which are contracted from dogs and cats, which can cause enormous suffering for the family.

Though there are many risks associated with domesticating animals at homes, I personally agree to the opinion that having them is more advantageous to the overall upbringing of the young people and cultivates good habits and virtues.