Digital Distractions

Question

The Internet has done wonders for companies, allowing them to connect with customers all over the world. The Internet is also a massive distraction for employees. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Reddit…that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sites that employees can look through instead of getting real work done.

Do you think companies should restrict employees’ Internet access? And if they do, will it increase productivity? Explain

Answer 1

Tim,

This is totally an opinion question so I am sure you could answer it on your own! There are no wrong answers. But let me just help you get to thinking about this question. :)

Are there any benefits to employees using the internet during work? Maybe! What if employees forget something and can google the answers quickly. For example, as an SAT tutor, sometimes I Google definitions of words during class with my students, or algebra formulas that I had forgotten! It could be that employees often need to access the internet for quick help with some of the tasks they are completing for work. If so, maybe it will decrease productivity if employees are restricted in their internet because they will have to either figure it out without any help at all, or they will have to call upon their coworkers for help.

Or shall we consider the fact that when employees get bored and need a break, if they can take their break by surfing the internet for some time, at least they are not distracting any other employees! Else, if an employee is bored and looking for some relief, they might start trying to chat with one of their coworkers and then two employees are distracted instead of just one.

Let's also think about the fact that restricting internet access does not necessarily mean banning ALL internet! It is very possible for employers to ban only a few select sites. I had mentioned that people can often turn to Google for help with work related problems, but we all know that the answers to work related problems are probably not on Facebook or Instagram! Selectively banning websites might be a reasonable solution?

Okay, all of that was just to help you get your own brain fired up and thinking critically about this interesting little conundrum facing employers.

Just state your own opinion on it! Your opinion is as valid as mine, so state it boldly.

Hope this helps! :)