Is online health.. healthy?

The internet is a (practically) free source of information; unfortunately found amongst mountains of opinionated, biased rubbish. Published articles based on in-depth research all have limitations. The research for a start needs to be theoretically sound with an end idea in sight.  It then needs to be financially supported by multiple backers (all with a preferenced end result). Research is incredibly flawed to begin with - human error surrounds everything. 

Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com

Technology twists the idea further with biased views and ideas posted onto blogs and retweeted globally. The kickback of health opinions posted globally is that it creates interest and a feeling of satisfaction or want of a healthy lifestyle.  Technology can help lower eating disorders with sites such as www.mybodygallery.com which shows people of your height and weight and just how beautiful they are. But technology can also heighten eating disorders with a multitude of images photoshopped to an impossible physique. So is the internet and technology a positive or negative in terms of health? I believe technology is simply a reflection of the masses and what you seek is what you get. With technology there is not one side, or even two sides to any story, but thousands of ideas and opinions at your fingertips.   


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J.D's Blog - The internet: Your new GP?


Tim Jubb's Blog -  New Media Health & Well-Being