How does the Internet and WWW Affect Us?

[Flickr Photo: Internet, by: Elyse Jones. CC License.]

In our modern day society, we are often surrounded by, or in many cases using the internet and web. We have become very reliant on it due to how convenient and useful it can be. This can be seen by how easily we can look up anything from a pasta recipe to the latest breaking news in a matter of seconds. As a matter of fact, a study done by Massachusetts Institute of Technology or MIT states that the majority of people believe that the internet is the biggest invention to have ever impacted our civilization. Even though this technology is impressive, it’s essential to acknowledge that there is also a downside to this modern lifestyle as well. This is what I wish to inform you all about today.

At first glance, both of these terms may seem similar but there are vast differences between them. Internet is defined as a large network made up of computers. This network is composed of data lines that send information through hubs to web servers and ISP’s. Hubs allow computers to communicate with each other within a network group. ISP’s, or Internet Service Provider, gives us access to the internet. This is achieved by establishing a connection through the ISP. Overall, this process can occur in a variety of locations since the internet is easily accessible.

Furthermore, the World Wide Web, also known as web gives the user the ability to look for content in varying websites by using software engines or web browsers. The information you are looking for can be found in webpages. Web browsers, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, are applications that give an individual the capability of retrieving websites.

*As previously stated, both the internet and web are very influential. In many situations, both of these tools are considered to be positive. This can be seen in an article written by Manuel Castells called “The Impact of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective”. In this editorial, Castells talks about how the internet can constantly entertain us do to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Using such sites guarantees an easier way of staying connected with friends anywhere.

There are a variety of things you can do with the WWW and the internet. For starters, you can do simple tasks such as checking your email and archiving documents that are a necessity to you. This tool can also be very helpful to working professionals since they can allow you to work and pay bills from a remote location.

As stated by Abdullahi Muhammed in his article “5 Ways the Internet of Things Impacts Your Daily Life”, further changes can be seen in our means of transportation, businesses, and waste management. People can look for the best routes and even check the vehicle’s diagnostics by using LTE or Long Term Evolution. In simple terms this allows a person to use internet from their cars. In continuation, businesses send their customers coupons and advertisements based on their individual preferences. They manage to do this by combining people’s online information with a phone signal that track a person’s  behavior while shopping. Businesses also have the tendency of creating websites to sell their products. Another great use of the internet is that it can be used to inform the public of levels of pollution in any given area. This is done in specific websites such as AirQualityEgg.com. This website monitors the air around your given location and uses that data to figure out the pollution levels in the region.

Both of these tools have also been used to aid and facilitate the lives of individuals that suffer from conditions. This can be seen in a research paper called “Use of computer- assisted technologies (CAT) to enhance social, communicative, and language development in children with autism spectrum disorders”. This study’s main focus is to explain how modern technology has changed and how it is currently being used to help people that have autism. One notable way they are receiving aid is by getting a better education through computers.

Even though the internet and web are used for a variety of positive reasons it’s crucial to remember that there is also a negative side to this kind of technology as well. In some cases it can be unsettling and potentially dangerous. For starters, information is available at any given time. This means that even children can be exposed to inappropriate content such as violence and pornography as stated in the previously mentioned article called “Impact Of Internet On Society: Positive And Negative”.

As expressed in“El impacto de Internet en la sociedad actual”, there is a great deal of content that is constantly being created. This reason alone makes it difficult to keep track of the data that the public is receiving. Because of this reason, there is a lot of false information in the web. Basically this means that not everything we read online is legitimate.

In continuation, there are threats that can also affect your devices. This may occur due to viruses and worms. Computer viruses are programs that affect the functionality of devices and this is usually is done without the users knowledge or consent. Worms are a type of virus that continuously spreads from one computer to another.

A research paper called “What is security? Risks and Threats in the Internet to Human Security” further explains how perilous our way of life has become. It continues by talking about the possibility of government drones being controlled by the delinquents as well as satellites and servers. If this were to happen, our security could be seriously compromised.

Cyber-criminals may also be a danger to you. They have a tendency of phishing as well as luring users with Trojan horses. Phishing typically happens when an individual receives an alarming email. The message is meant to be very convincing and encourage you to click a link to a similar but fake website. In doing so, you are required to give personal information. If you choose to do so then you run the danger of losing your identity. A Trojan horse is a trick used by hackers that tricks people into downloading foreign software to their computers. If this is done then the cyber thief can invade your privacy and even steal sensitive data. “Impact Of Internet On Society: Positive And Negative” clearly states that cyber-crimes aren’t given as much attention by the police force and, in doing so, this kind of felony has become more common.

Additionally, the internet has been known to cause health problems if used too frequently. In fact, there was a study conducted about these side effects called “A study on the influence of internet addiction and online interpersonal influences on health-related quality of life in young Vietnamese”. The research paper confirms that these effects result from constantly doing certain activities online such as playing video games.  As time passes, these simple activities cause others to become shy and even develop disorders. Some of these disorders may include hyperactivity and attention deficit.  As stated in “Experiencias relacionadas con el uso del internet y celular en una muesra de estudiantes universitarios colombianos”, other possible side effects may include insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Even though web allows us to communicate with others easily, it can still disconnect us from the real world. This is most commonly seen in teenagers. The topic has been thoroughly analyzed in “The mobile phone and its impact in teenagers’ lives”. The investigation states that teens have been known to become isolated when using phones constantly. This is thought to be a way for teenagers to feel more liberated when speaking to their friends while also avoiding adult supervision. In most cases, since the younger generations are more focused on communicating with their friends online or through phones, they have a tendency to pay less attention to their family and loved ones.

[Flickr Photo: Internet, by: x61.com.ar. CC License.]

In conclusion, the internet and web can be used for a variety of reasons. You have the option of doing both simplistic activities, such as checking your email, as well as more complicated tasks such as keeping track of the pollution levels in specific areas. Furthermore there are web browsers that have been specifically made to facilitate certain tasks such as checking email, Facebook, and Twitter. These tools have also proven to be useful by facilitating the lives of sick individuals by providing them with a more convenient way to educate themselves by using computers. However, keeping track of the constant flow of data can be difficult. As a result, there are many misinterpretations and false information found online. Too much web access has also caused problems due to the fact that anyone, especially kids, can learn about topics that are considered to be inappropriate at their age such as pornography and violence. This technology can also be used by cyber-criminals for a far more sinister purpose such as learning about other people’s sensitive data, tricking others into downloading Trojans, as well as controlling drones, satellites, and servers. The constant use of both the internet and web can provoke an individual to become more isolated and shy as well as develop hyperactive disorder, attention deficit disorder, insomnia, anxiety and even depression.

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