The Good and Bad Aspects of the World Wide Web
The internet has drastically altered they way people around the world live. The way people communicate, do work, share information, and even travel has all been computerized. It seems like everyone is linked. Some one in India can get in touch with someone in America with the click of a button. Even things like Scrapbooking albums have changed, instead of Scrapbooking on paper, people scrapbook internet collections. The internet can be used by almost anyone too. There are users as young as four years old to senor citizens. This openness in the world can also be dangerous. In the past five years we have seen an increase in inter-net related crimes. It is a very sharp double sided sword, extreme good and extreme bad can come from the internet.
If used constructively, the internet is a powerful instrument. It can be a great mean to get in touch with with distant loved ones. Sites such as my space and face book connect people. Personally, I wouldn’t use them if it weren’t for the fact that it allows me to keep in touch with relatives in Maryland and friends in Minnesota and Palestine. I have a family friend whose son visited Chile and they used face book to keep in touch, send photos and document his journey. If it weren’t for the internet, he wouldn’t have spoken much to his son for three months because there was no cell phone service in Chile.
However, if used inappropriately or in a dangerous fashion, the internet is deadly. Unfortunately, no one can find a way to completely control predators on the internet. So, allowing children on the internet can lead them into serious trouble if they misuse it. Knowing proper internet safety procedures is pivotal to using the internet wisely. Also, parents need to block inappropriate or dangerous sites from their children.
The internet can also be dangerous for adults. Sites such as Craig’s list and eBay are breeding grounds for scams, con artist and predators. On eBay, it is easy to be fooled into buying a faulty product or something that you never get. Scamming on this site has become an art, however it can be avoided if careful. In the news recently, there have been murderers and inappropriate users rampant on Craig’s list. The Police can’t patrol this site, so these things can occur. Millions of people are using this site at one time, it is easy to get away unnoticed. Children should never use websites like this, and adults should be careful.
When used correctly, the internet can do great things. Sometimes however, our high tech world can be for the worse. Cyber space is a readily available world that can’t be patrolled easily, so lots of predators and con artists find homes there. Falling into their traps is easy too. However, if you exhibit simple safety rules, it is also a piece of cake to avoid them. When communicating on the internet, never respond to someone you don’t recognize. Never release personal information in public places. If you follow these simple guidelines,the internet can be a fun, useful place.
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