Debate: Internet Brings More Harm Than Good

The world celebrated World International Internet Day  recently, Since its invention, it has made the world a smaller place. Creating avenues for learning, business and giving access. However, it has also helped people to become more anonymous in their interactions with others, which has created a certain level of conflict that didn’t exist in the past.

There are many good of the internet and sometimes it appears the bad threatens those values a great deal.

Thepublisheronline.com has put out together the good and harm that we feel is worth considering:

Communication

Due to the internet, a major barrier in communication has been eradicated. This is because, it is possible to chat with someone half a world away in real time. Businesses can hold global video conferences instead of paying for people to fly in for meetings. Entrepreneurs can start with a good idea and expand it to a global audience from a home computer. We can communicate cheaper and easier with one another more than ever before in history.

Efficiency

The days of long queues at your local bank are almost going extinct. This is you can comfortably conducts deals worth millions of naira in your home by using your smart phone connected to the internet. A writer can electronically submit their work via email instantly. He can publish, people can buy online from many stores. The internet lets us be more productive and still gives us more time to spend with our family and friends.

Information

The internet allows us to access newspapers from all over the globe and many of them are free. You can follow a blog to get helpful ideas from someone who has conquered a challenge you’re currently facing. All it takes to find information is a simple keyword search on a preferred search engine. Even an 8-year-old kid learned how to drive because of YouTube.

Connection

Social media has allowed people to connect with others unlike any other time in the past. If you want to get involved in politics, the internet can guide you toward what and who you need. If you want to promote a local photography club, the internet can help you market it. If you have a business that you’re trying to grow, the internet can help people pay attention to it. In its early days, long-lost friends could find one another and re-establish connections. Today, social media allows us to promote business opportunities, local sports teams, or personal causes with incredible ease. In just seconds, you can talk with a friend and have a conversation, even if you haven’t seen them in person for 10+ years.

Despite all these illuminating attributes, the internet is not without its harm.

Loss of Privacy

The amount of personal information being shared on the internet is so enormous that personal privacy is at risk. It’s not just identity theft that is an issue. Kim Kardashian West had jewellery stolen from her in Paris because of the amount of information that was being shared. A group of 17 people got together, tracked her movements, and struck because of the information freely shared. If you share vacation photos in real time, then you’re announcing to the world that you’re away from home.

Addictive

Internet addiction is an impulse control disorder. It can cause some people to develop an emotional attachment to online friends, activities, or idea exchanges. This addiction can be so great that people become preoccupied with the internet, risking their jobs in real life and significant personal relationships for the chance to connect with others online.

Can Erode Productivity

If your business operations are based on internet access, then what happens if the ISP goes down? In March 2017, one key piece of equipment owned by Comcast caused a complete internet and cellular outage on Whidbey Island, Washington. For more than 4 hours, there were no data connections of any type. Without that access, an online business suddenly can’t do business.

It is Expensive

If you want to connect to the internet, you need some sort of device to do so. That means a computer, a smartphone, or a tablet is required. If you want a website, then you’ll have domain registration and web hosting fees to pay. Data is still very expensive especially in Africa.

This info show us that connectivity is either good or bad depending on usage. You can protect yourself. By taking protective actions, we can work together to limit negative outcomes. That means we must encourage our laws to evolve as our use of the internet continues to grow.