Impact of the Internet in Non Western Countries - Essay Example

? Impact of the Internet in Non Western Countries Impact of the Internet on Non western Countries The introduction of the internet has had a global impact on almost all sections of society as it has molded itself into a daily need for many activities with communication leading the pack. However, overall it should be noted that the development of the internet has had a negative impact on non western countries with two of the most affected areas being culture and politics. Though the internet emerged from western countries, it quickly spread its wings and it can now be found in countries all over the world with its use becoming a normal part of everyday activities, but the question has remained does its introduction affect the previously solid cultural and political structures that had prior to the introduction of the world wide web, maintained a dominant stronghold in these nations. The answer is yes, though the internet has immensely influenced the development of these countries, the politics and cultures of these countries have also been negatively impacted as a result (Anne, 2009). In terms of the culture of these non western countries, the introduction of the internet can be said to have done more bad than good to their existence as a result of the alterations that have occurred as a result. Whereas in the past the culture of these countries were held in great esteem by the youth as a result of the teachings that were passed on from the older generations, they are now viewed as backward and non significant by many of the youth whose main information is retrieved from the internet (Clay, 2008). This can be said to be mainly because of the availability of the internet which has introduced the younger generation to different, and in their view, more attractive modern cultures mainly practiced in the westernized countries that has led them to abandon the teachings of their own cultures for these foreign practices (Harris, 2008). A good example of such change is the treatment and views of parents by the youth in these non western countries. Whereas in the past a child dare not disobey their parents wishes, the introduction of the internet has revealed countries such as America where an individual is capable of suing their parents in court and do not hold them in such esteem. This has led to the degeneration of the level of respect that was once accorded to these parents as a result as the youth ask themselves that if the American’s are doing it why shouldn’t they? Thus, it can be said that the introduction of the internet has led to the slow disappearance of a country’s culture as he youth give them up for more modern views on life and society (Yochai, 2006). The introduction of the internet has also affected the culture of non western countries cultures in terms of moral values that had previously played a large role in the society of these nations (Steven, 2005). The number of moral beliefs that were previously upheld by then youth has decreased drastically as a result of the internet as well. The World Wide Web has opened up the gates of information and practices that were previously considered taboo are now accepted the younger generations in these non western countries as a result (Anne, 2009). This can be said to be due to the discovery that though such acts were forbidden in their countries they are widely accepted in the western lands and thus as a result, they become accepted as well as the youth strive to emulate the western lives that they see via the web. An example of such moral beliefs is the cohabitation of different genders (That is boyfriends and girlfriends) before marriage. Whereas in the past it was unacceptable for a boy and a girl to live together unless they related or married it is now a widely accepted role in many non western countries, something that was not the case before the introduction of the internet (Sherry, 2011). Sex before marriage is also another subject that was unthinkable before the introduction of the internet yet nowadays this has become an accepted practice almost all around the world seen by the sale of condoms and other forms of contraceptives on public display (Steven, 2005). Previously such practices were only found in the western countries, but the spread of the internet has allowed the spread of their practices, culture and beliefs as well. Politics is also another sector that has been affected by the introduction of the internet. Though the repercussions may not be seen as those on the culture of the countries, they still exist and are not hard to find (Charlene & Josh, 2008). The introduction of the internet has turned the world into a global village, and nowadays information on different countries can be found with the simple click of a button. Unfortunately, not all the information provided by the web is accurate and as a result, falsified stories have led to the rise of negative assumptions about a number of non western countries (Anne, 2009). This is in turn has affected the politics and international relations that these countries have had with the rest of the world. A good example of such a repercussion is the world view on the Republic of China which is seen as a government that suppresses their citizens and many of their rights by many people outside of the country yet this is not an actual reality of the state of the government. Though the Chinese government is predominantly communist, that does not mean that it mistreats its people or engages in half the activities that many ignoramus individuals have accused it of taking part in. This negative view has mostly been spread through the use of the internet via video and audio news clips that are mostly unverified but posted either way by individuals who do not have the county’s best interests in mind. As a result the country has been painted in a negative light that has affected government relations with other countries. The introduction of the internet has also affected the politics of non western countries in a negative light with regards to the rise of new political practices that have come into the picture during events such as elections and other government related matters. The emergence of the internet has provided individuals interested in spreading negative messages during such times with new sources of anonymity making it harder for them to be tracked down and stopped (Yochai, 2006). Though admittedly the internet has proven a source of communication to large audiences and can be used to spread needed information to the masses there people who have opted to use this capability for evil and instead spread vile messages that are hard to track down and erase (Ronald et al, 2010). These messages speak of hate and at times even encourage violence against a certain group of people during elections in an attempt to disrupt the peace and prosperity of a country for the advantage of a chosen few (Anne, 2009). An example of such an act can be found during the 2007 Post election violence that took place in Kenya during the elections. During this torrid time, a small few people took to the internet to spread the message of hate against warring tribes in a bid to stir up the violence in effect adding fuel to the fire that was already ravaging the country at the time. Tracking such culprits down is much harder in non western countries due to the lack of technology as compared to their western counterparts and has allowed for a number of such criminals to get away scot-free as a result (Anne, 2009). Though a number of people may argue that everything may come with a positive and negative side, the question of whether the positives outweigh the negatives in order to determine the true value that the introduction of the internet has brought to these non western countries. The fact of alternative services that are brought by the internet should also be studied to determine whether these countries will be able to operate without the use of the internet or whether it is a necessary evil that they have to deal with (Barry, 2012). A number of solutions can be put in place as well to counteract the negative effects that the internet has had on these countries. Such solutions may include a higher level of control on the internet and various web pages that exist within its realms by the government in a bid to siphon out the material that would have a negative impact on the society, whether it is negative messages or the promotion of values that the country does not advocate for (Yochai, 2006). Another solution besides control of the information available on the internet by the government is teaching the older generation how to prevent the children in their care from accessing sites that may be negative to their upbringing (Howard, 2002). There are a number of applications that exist that enable a person to block websites that may have adult or immoral content on them. Whether we like it or not, the internet is here to stay and therefore the best solution would be to find solutions to dealing with the negative impact it has on the society as it cannot be gotten rid of altogether. 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