Packet networking has existed since the invention of electronic computers in the 1950s. In the 1960s, the United States received defense contracts for packet networking, which may be regarded the original iteration of the internet. Our present internet, on the other hand, is the result of Tim Berners-1980s Lee’s research at CERN.
The internet has shrunk the globe into a more manageable size. It has also aided people in being more anonymous in their contacts with others, resulting in a degree of friction that previously did not exist. There are several advantages and disadvantages of the internet that should be considered. Here are a few of the most important topics.
What Are the Advantages of Using the Internet?
- Global and real-time communication are both possible.
It is now feasible to communicate with someone half a globe away in real time thanks to the internet. Instead than paying for employees to fly in for meetings, companies may arrange worldwide video conferences. From a home computer, entrepreneurs may start with a strong concept and extend it to a worldwide audience. More than ever before in history, we can connect with one another for less money and with more ease.
- We do more in less time.
Do you recall having to visit your bank or credit union to deposit a check? Thanks to the internet, you can now take a photo of it with your tablet and email it to your bank via an app. Bank balances may be viewed in real time. Instead of printing and shipping a manuscript, a writer can submit their work online via email. The internet allows us to be more productive while also allowing us to spend more time with our families and friends.
- Information is more readily available than ever before.
We can read newspapers from all over the world on the internet, and many of them are free. You can read a blog to acquire useful tips from someone who has already overcome a problem you’re facing. A simple keyword search on a selected search engine is all that is required to locate information. Because of YouTube, an 8-year-old child was able to learn how to drive.
- You can get involved in anything you’re interested in.
If you want to get more active in politics, the internet can point you in the right direction. If you want to promote a local photography club, you may use the internet to do it. If you’re seeking to expand a business, the internet may help people pay attention to it. Because of our interconnectedness, you may follow, participate in, or criticize practically any cause that someone has.
- People are more likely to connect with one another.
People can now communicate with one another as they have never been able to before thanks to social media. Long-lost pals might reconnect and reconnect in the early days of the internet. Today, social media makes it quite simple to promote business prospects, local sports teams, and personal causes. You can chat to a buddy and have a discussion in seconds, even if you haven’t seen them in person in over ten years.
- Transactions are completed faster using digital payments.
It is now feasible to have a digital account with digital funds and yet have access to real currency when needed, thanks to organizations like PayPal. You may withdraw money from an ATM using a PayPal debit card. You may also use it anywhere that accepts branded cards. Some establishments, such as Home Depot, let you check your PayPal balance right from the checkout line. All of this is feasible because to the internet.
- The internet has made freelancing simpler than ever before.
People can freelance their abilities from home using a variety of technologies and platforms. People might have more control over their lives and schedules as a result of this. Amazon has also hopped on board, pledging to engage 5,000 home-based customer care reps in 2017.
What Are the Internet’s Drawbacks?
- It has harmed people’s privacy.
Personal privacy is jeopardized due to the massive volume of personal information exposed on the internet. Theft of identity isn’t the only problem. Because of the volume of information that was being disseminated, Kim Kardashian West’s jewels was taken in Paris. Because of the openly disseminated information, a group of 17 people came together, monitored her travels, and struck. You’re declaring to the world that you’re away from home if you publish vacation images in real time.
- The internet has the potential to become addictive.
Addiction to the internet is a type of impulse control issue. It can lead to emotional attachments to online acquaintances, hobbies, or idea exchanges for certain people. This addiction may be so strong that people become obsessed with the internet, putting their real-life employment and important personal connections on hold in exchange for the ability to interact with others online.
- Reliance on the internet might reduce productivity.
What happens if your ISP goes down and your company activities are dependent on it? In March 2017, a critical piece of Comcast equipment on Whidbey Island, Washington, caused a complete internet and cellular outage. There were no data connections of any kind for more than 4 hours. Without that access, an internet firm will be unable to operate.
- There are a number of costs associated with using the internet that are typically overlooked.
If you wish to connect to the internet, you’ll need some kind of gadget. This necessitates the use of a computer, smartphone, or tablet. If you want a website, you’ll need to pay for domain registration and web hosting. It’s necessary to pay ISP fees, taxes, and data use costs. According to Time Magazine in 2015, the average monthly cost of a broadband connection in the United States was $50. Even the most basic dial-up services can cost upwards of $10 per month.
- Exploitation is a serious issue.
Our laws have not kept pace with our increased use of the internet. Retaliation pornography may be extremely harmful to its victims, yet as of 2017, 15 states in the United States still have no legislation against it. Another emerging menace is ransomware, in which hackers seize control of certain files and refuse to release them unless a ransom is paid, and only California has attempted to address the problem. This implies that exploitation can occur in a number of ways, and victims may be unable to stop it.
The advantages and disadvantages of the internet demonstrate that connection may be beneficial or harmful depending on how it is utilized. We may work together to prevent undesirable effects by implementing precautionary measures. As our usage of the internet expands, we must push our laws to develop as well.
