It could be argued that the internet is the best technical development of our time. Since its creation in the late sixties, it has quickly become an important and beneficial piece of modern technology to millions of people all over the world. It is a global computer network, which provides a variety of facilities for communication, information and entertainment. With simple and immediate access to endless websites, available with just a click of a mouse, it may seem that surfing the net is the perfect cure for boredom. On the contrary, many people find themselves questioning this positive attitude towards the World Wide Web, when considering the risks and disadvantages that it brings, and the dangers that anyone may encounter whilst online.
Amongst the most popular sites are social networks, such as ’Facebook’ and ‘Netlog’, where users have their own page within the network, and can communicate with each other no matter where in the world they are. People of any age, race or background can use these sites, which means you can talk to all sorts of people and learn about hundreds of different cultures and lifestyles. This is a great way to meet new friends or keep in touch with your old ones. ‘MySpace’ is a network where accounts and home pages are created by users, and pictures, music, blogs (online diaries) and videos can be uploaded. Bands, venues, individuals or even companies may have their own ‘MySpace’ and therefore you are sure to find something of interest amongst the thousands of accounts.
‘Msn Messenger’, the instant messaging service, is probably the most popular way for web users to stay in contact and have free, live conversations with any number of people. This means it is possible for many disabled internet users to talk amongst friends, without the trouble of leaving the house or the high expense of using the telephone.
The disadvantage of this way of communicating is the lack of trust available between members, due to the fact that there is no sure way of knowing exactly whom you are talking to. People can lie about their identity, particularly their age, and paedophiles and stalkers may use the sites as easy access to their victims. Adults may lure children into thinking they are other children of a similar age and might convince them into meeting up with them in the outside world. This is called grooming and has been known to lead onto kidnappings, rape and violent attacks.
Innocent youths may also fall victims to people of their own age, when accounts are hacked and abuse can be written through fake identities. It seems easier for teenagers to emotionally and mentally bully children of their own age whilst online, without the full contact of face-to-face conversation in real-life. Hateful messages can be sent through instant messaging, emails and even comment boxes on websites or someone’s personal page. This cyber bullying is a huge issue online and children can often feel unsafe within their own homes if they are suffering this abuse.
Social networks may also have an addictive affect on users meaning they interact a lot less with friends and family. Users may even be left lacking the skills to have real conversations with people, without being able to hide behind a computer screen and keyboard. Then again, there is also the isolation that people who do not have internet access may face. They are unable to stay in touch with friends in the way that so may people take for granted.
However, a final advantage of these social networking sites is that they are an advertisers dream. Businesses can easily advertise online, and popular sites such as these social networking ones are a huge opportunity to attract customers. Children, adults, parents and people of different professions and interests can be specifically targeted through certain websites, which are suited to them, in order to attract the most potential customers. A good example of this is through search engines, which make their money by displaying advertisements within the results of what the internet user has searched.
Of course businesses can use the internet to their advantage in many other ways also. Records and databases can be held on the internet, and secured and accessed through passwords. The stock exchange can be viewed online and companies can check in on their competition by simply searching for them on the internet. They can research customer demand , or keep in touch with buyers, employees and other businesses via email or their own webpage .Finally, websites like ‘Monster’, which is an online directory where employees upload their CV’s, allow employers to find the most suitable staff, without having to hold hundreds of interviews.
Another way in which the internet is highly useful is through its vast range of entertainment available. This entertainment can mean that it is no longer necessary to leave your seat in order to have fun, and therefore hundreds of people have a significant lack of exercise, which of course is a health risk. This has been linked to the increasing problem of obesity in both children and adults.
On the other hand, the vast sources of entertainment are a major plus to millions of internet surfers. Video upload sites prove to be very popular with hundreds of thousands of viewers visiting Youtube everyday. Anyone can upload anything they like onto these sites from TV series, to homemade short films, music videos and any other creations. It is a great way to watch and create video blogs and learn about other people from across the world. It could even be said that the internet is better than a remote control.
Online gaming is another aspect of the internet to enjoy. Hundreds of free games are available to download and play with genres to suit everyone. Puzzle, adventure, racing and even multiplayer games can be accessed quickly through many websites, the majority are free and simple to download or play though a flash player.
Downloading is relied on by many people so that they can have the latest songs and films stored to their own computer and then sent to their phone or personal music and video players (Ipods or MP4s). ‘Limewire’ is a program that allows millions of files to be shared across the net and almost anything can be downloaded quickly and simply from this free source. This can mean that the artists and producers of songs are missing out on profits that they deserve.
All this freedom of viewing on the net can be dangerous when there are no age restrictions. Youths may be badly influenced by violent images they see online, and unsuitable pornographic material is easily accessible to them at the click of a mouse. Most adults would agree that this needs to be more carefully regulated, but it is highly unlikely that age restrictions would ever prevent teenagers from intentionally viewing these sites, when they can simply type in a false age.
This easy accessibility throughout the internet can be useful though when referring to educational purposes. Students have many websites available that are dedicated to encourage and enable studying, revision and coursework. BBC Bitesize in particular is a useful website which pupils of Key stage three and Key Stage four can use to assist them in learning. Teachers can also benefit from the online lesson plans on offer throughout the net and students can stay in touch with their tutors through email whenever necessary.
The internet can also be considered as a brilliant learning aid because of its huge volumes of information covering endless varieties of subjects; it could be thought of as the biggest encyclopaedia in the world. Information that is usually unobtainable in local libraries is easily reached through search engines and students can read expert knowledge from specialists in the topic they need.
Never the less there are still negative aspects to using the internet this way. It makes it possible for pupils to copy and cheat on tests and coursework using past essays and work that someone has uploaded onto the web previously. Some learners may become dependent on using the internet for help with their work and not able to perform as well under exam conditions in school. Some information gained from websites may be seriously outdated or inaccurate and therefore useless. There is also an unfair advantage on students that do no have internet access at home.
Shopping online is another great way of taking advantage of the World Wide Web. You can purchase anything from a huge assortment of products from anywhere in the world; from clothes, gifts, memorabilia and anything else that you could possibly want. It’s the ultimate shopping experience, and shops you can find on the high street have their own online stores along with shops only available on the net. It is a much simpler way of browsing for whatever you may be looking for, without the bother of busy crowds. There are also often online discounts available, or some items sold on the internet are originally cheaper than on the high street anyway, and comparing prices online is easily done.
Being able to shop online makes a big difference in peoples lives if they are disabled or seriously ill. Being housebound means that they do not get the chance to visit the supermarket or their local city centre on a regular basis, like so many people do, but that problem has been solved with home delivery. Anything they might buy off the internet can probably be delivered straight to their doorstep, whether it’s their weekly shop or something they’ve splashed out on.
‘Ebay’ is a massively successful online auction site where you can bid on items which other people are selling through the website. All you need is an online account and then you can start buying and selling pretty much what ever takes your fancy. You can make money by selling unwanted pieces in your home or save money by striking lucky in an auction, and having the winning bid on your requested item.
However, things that you see on the internet may not always turn out to be what you expected when they arrive at your home. What you have bought may have been misrepresented online and you could be left disappointed with something you have no use of.
It is also common to overspend without realising when buying online. Paying for goods via the internet is only possible by using a credit card and sometimes this means that you are not as aware of exactly how much money you are parting with, if you do not physically hand it over. Even more unfortunate is that your card details may not be secure and someone else could use your bank account without you knowing.
Although using the internet is an essential aspect to many people’s lives, it does prove to have risks and consequences if used inappropriately or too often. Still, I have to disagree with the statement of “the internet is a monster out of control” because I find that the pros out weigh the cons by far. Without the internet certain aspects of life would prove difficult to me and millions of other people. The web is relied on everyday for purposes of work, school and play and as long as we approach it with more knowledge of the dangers, it can benefit us the many ways that it is intended to.
Internet Debate Essay. What Do You Think ? Please Help ! ( Year 10 Coursework)?
Well its boss to be honest because you are smart! Mine is better though :p oj
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Reply:Your question is a good one and I hope you find the answer you need. I just wanted to stop by and invite you over.
Don't let your school's network tell you what sites you can visit. MySpace, Bebo. Friendster, Orkut......visit them all with our web proxy sites. Just come on over and get new web proxy sites everyday so you can surf wherever you want.
Come over to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Daily-Prox... and get in on the action now. Also...stop by and check out my photos of my last shoot.
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