Gruppi telematici e comunità virtuali: potenzialità e rischi derivanti dall’utilizzo dei nuovi strumenti interattivi

Abstract

Telematic Groups and Virtual Communities: potenziality and risk de-riving from the use of new interactive instruments

With the increasing spread of the new information and communication tech-nologies, more and more people are accessing various on-line resources each day. The use of computer-supported interaction has become a primary feature of communication among group members. Because groups communicate via the use of computers in many personal, educational, and professional settings, it is important to continue and encourage the study of group processes in such environments. In psychoanalytic terms, computers and cyber-space may become a type of “transitional space”, an intermediate zone be-tween self and other, that is part self and part other. Under less than optimal conditions, people use this psychological space to simply vent or act out their fantasies and the frustrations, anxieties, and desires Even though the net semplify our life, for some people ,the socalled addicted, these benefits are becoming detriments. In many case the Internet provides an escape from reality and everyday problems just like alcohol or drugs: the internet addiction is a disorder involving tolerance, withdrawal and abstinential symptoms, affective disturbances and interruption of social relationships and job’s activi-ties. Internet rappresents an enormous social and individual resource, but it’s important to know its dangers and limits as well as its potensialities to increase the capability of ruling the technological innovation without being overwhelmed by it.