The first really usable web browser wasn't launched until 1993 and since early 2000s, usage has more than double every five years. There isn’t a country
in the world that hasn’t used the internet in some form since its inception.
With upgrades and advancements almost monthly, making its use more user
friendly, hundreds of millions of people are on the internet at any given point
in time. Giving
web users thousands of choices, web searches, and different activities to do on
the internet.
Of the three main
advantages of the Internet, I would say first and foremost “faster
communication”. It created the ability
to initiate and share information in real time with someone who is located in
another part of the world. Gone are the days when people had to rely on postal
carriers or phone calls. The internet
brought communication tools such as social networks like Skype, Oovoo,
Facebook, Pinterest that allows people to remain connected with family and
friends almost on a daily basis. Some of the social networks allows users to
see each other on a video screen.
A second advantage is the abundance of Informational resources. This
provides knowledge on any given subject to be typed and making information
accessible on virtually every topic. This advantage on researching information
is way better than using the old encyclopedias and libraries. They are multiple
sources, answers and opinions available to be clicked on and reviewed. It
allows a broad range of users access to not only current information but also
historical. CEOs, the military, hospitals NASA and Law Enforcement all use the
internet. People are now able to stagger their work schedules, working from
home online on some days and others who only work online from the comforts of
home.
Last but not least third advantage is financial, from accessing
online services, which perform financial transactions for users online without
leaving your home. This access enables bill paying, viewing and transferring
funds from banking account to bank account. People can purchase whatever they
want without leaving their homes. Online stores like Amazon and Overstock are
multimillion dollar per year business.
With every good thing there is always
the negative and the three main disadvantages of the internet use is 1) theft
of personal information. It is relatively easy to purchase technologies online
to break into peoples’ computers and stealing their identity and personal
information on the internet that can ruin lives. 2) Internet predators are problem
with minors on the internet, especially those who are social isolated, lonely
or not properly monitored. Related to this is the lack of physical activity
leading to obesity. Instead of playing
sports, being regular kids, they are stuck to the computer playing video games,
social networks and not exercising,
Finally, 3) Loss of privacy is the third
negative of the internet. Most people’s information can be found without much
effort like addresses, relatives, jobs etc. With this wealth of information
available, people have been able to “cyber bully”, spew hatred, and say the
meanest most hurtful things about others anonymously and get away with it. This
is all legal to do due to lack of regulations.
Work Cited:
·
Pakhare, Jayashree Buzzle / The Advantages & Disadvantages
of the Internet 7
July 2013
·
International Telecommunications
Union
