Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet

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