The Internet: an intangible universal tool

My Perception and Use of the Interweb

As described by Lexico, the internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks. This intangible universal tool has been around for enough time that it has become a human dependency in modern times like the one we live in. The internet has become a widespread source for communication and entertainment, a seemingly interminable virtual encyclopedia, and a principal pathway for commerce and marketing for most of the world’s population. It is like a web of connections and resources that can take you one place or another with infinite utilities.

The internet and its web of content harbors a number of different sites and activities for the usage and enjoyment of consumers. This all-around tool allows mass communication through different sources, the biggest ones being social media. Public mediums such as Instagram and Twitter grant the ability to connect with different people and communities from different places around the world. These platforms render a variety of content such as informative (news), educational, motivating and inspirational, entertaining, political, and many more. Social media can also be a place for positive influencing, movement and action, something today’s youth is taking part of more each day.

In addition to the interweb’s social ambits, YouTube is another large platform within the network. YouTube is chief in visual communication–from educational TED Talks videos to the “Despacito” music video, and CNN news broadcast videos to uploads of America’s Top Home Videos. Most artists use this platform to upload their music and works, granting them views and exposure, to which promotes their artistry. This search engine also allows anyone from anywhere to upload videos of their preference (with certain restrictions), paving the way for it’s own “industry”, and curating visual content creators called “YouTubers”. Additionally, it is common and rather easy for a video to grow viral via this platform. Therein, similar to the more “common” (or practical) social platforms, YouTube is also a space for a variety of content, although entertainment is its specialty.

Yet, despite the internet and social media’s efficient and positive benefits, the web can also sometimes usher in unpleasant or even dangerous content via it’s many sites and social platforms. The internet is what you make of it sometimes; it can be used to promote good or to harm others. Among the many dangers on the internet, it is common to find users intent on conning others into giving up valuable information such as credit card data in order to steal money or commit fraud. Other serious dangers, such as pornography and tracking, lie deep within the web. The following link provides information on common dangers of the internet — Top Seven Dangers Children Face Online: How to Keep The Safe

Personally, my use of the internet staggers between educational and entertainment purposes. The platforms I most make use of on a daily basis are YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. In the web, I mostly simply navigate through it; I am able to learn about an infinite amount of things, publish my own works, online shop, and more. Also, with the various social platforms I like to engage (such as commenting, liking, and sharing) when something is of my appeal or of importance and connect with friends or new people. The internet allows me express myself and learn in various ways, it even facilitates my school and professional work with numerous results such as facts and online book catalogs. The internet is a universal tool that can serve in many ways and has been undoubtedly one of the best advances ever fashioned.