Internet Usage: Pros and Corns - Essay Example

? Internet Usage: Pros and Corns Introduction Internet has been explosively growing over the last decade, for this worldwide network assists the whole world to be connected always. Internet has greatly changed the way people live and the mode they transact businesses. It is unimaginable to live without internet because this technology is playing a key role in different areas of the daily life. Even though internet is crucial to keep in pace with the changing world, this technology has many adverse effects on the society. Today, the negative impacts of increasing internet use reduce the scope of internet to a notable extent. This paper will perform a cause and effect analysis of the internet usage. Effects of internet usage According to Wilder, one of the most noticeable effects of increased internet usage is that it promotes socialization, which is a dynamic learning process whereby individuals and organizations change over time (204). Since internet influences cultural transitions, this global network significantly contributes to the pace of socialization. Since internet allows users to interact with people from various cultures, individuals obtain the opportunity to learn more about different cultural practices, norms, and beliefs. However, it is often observed that people use internet to abuse other cultures emotionally rather than to adopt from the good aspects of those cultures. Hence, sometimes internet promotes a negative socialization process due to its unfair usage. Evidently, high rate of internet usage has greatly benefited people to be independent as it helps people to attain knowledge without any external assistance. Today, professors do not need to provide teaching notes to students since there is a bundle of relevant information available in the internet. Although this condition may improve students’ academic efficiency, overdependence on internet would sometimes result in adverse academic results. For instance, every piece of information provided in the internet may not be correct or accurate as every person is free to post his writings or personal views on the internet. Hence, wrong or misleading information would often cause troubles to an individual’s academic career. Another positive benefit of internet is that it provides employment to millions of people. Due to the increased internet usage, the scope of internet based jobs is still increasing and this situation gives hope to a global economy struggling from the recent global recession. At some particular levels, the negative effects of internet outweigh the internet’s positive effects. To illustrate, cyber-terrorism significantly diminishes the scope of internet. The internet based terrorist activities such as deliberate disruption of computer networks cause serious consequences in the cyber world. Professional hacker teams use computer viruses to obtain unauthorized access to an organization’s or a country’s confidential data. Under such circumstances, the victim may sustain serious damages or losses which in turn would outweigh the anticipated benefits from those data. In addition, studies point out that porn websites and other violence promoting factors in internet result in social as well as cultural disintegration. Finally, the growing popularity of social networking websites like Facebook causes time wastage, and hence the overall productivity declines. As Lukoff points out, “exposing children and youth to video games and the internet often does not engage their major learning style that is through their sensorimotor system, and thus have negative effects on their cognitive development” Lukoff, 104). Causes of internet usage While discussing the dramatically increasing internet browsing data, it can be undoubtedly stated that need of information is the most important factor boosting worldwide internet usage. It is clear that internet is a potential source for every kind of information under the sun. The internet meets the information needs of each and every category of people, ranging from school students to research workers. While compared to traditional information sources such as libraries and television reports, internet allows people to collect more appropriate information more easily and affordably. Internet has many easy search options and hence users can get rid of the difficulties associated with finding a particular piece of information from a physical library. The most fascinating feature of internet as an information source is that it keeps information updated and thereby provides people with most accurate information. People use internet for a number of reasons. As Klotz points out, the growing need of communication is another major factor influencing the internet usage (42). Internet provides people with a common platform to communicate with each other at very cheap rates. Internet based applications such as Google talk, Yahoo messenger, and Skype allow people to interact with others more lively from different parts of the globe. Today, internet is considered as the most convenient channel of communication because nearly half of the world’s population has access to internet. Small and movable devices like ipads and tablets make internet browsing more easy and convenient. Since internet supports technologies like video conferencing, multinational corporations and other global organizations can meet their communication needs more cheaply and effectively. Today, banks, hospitals, and governmental departments make use of online transactions to improve their communication system and thereby business feasibility. Thus, it can be stated that internet has become the backbone of global communication. File transfer or data transfer is another cause of increasing internet usage. Internet options like e-mails facilitate transfer of files or data at fairly low costs. It would take relatively a long time and incur huge expenses if people, companies, or governmental agencies still depend on traditional data/file transfer mechanisms like post office. Hence, internet has replaced conventional file transfer methods almost completely. In addition to the advantages of time and money, internet based file/data transfer options enhance a firm’s overall productivity. Since internet facilitates quicker transfer of data/files, business managers find no delay in making crucial strategic decisions. In addition, internet offers a good place for entertainment. It is possible to watch movies and matches online, to play online video games, and to make friendships worldwide. Today, increasing popularity of social networking sites appears to be a major cause contributing to the tremendous growth of internet usage around the world. Admittedly, some negative elements such as porn websites, online sex selling, and cyber terrorism also enhance the growth of internet usage. Conclusion From the above discussion, it is clear that internet has a range of positive and negative effects on the society. Increased employment opportunities and academic assistance are some positive effects whereas negative effects mainly constitute cyber-terrorism and cultural disintegration. Growing needs of information, communication, file transfer, and entertainment represent the major factors enhancing the growth of internet usage around the globe. Works Cited Klotz, Robert J. The Politics of Internet Communication. US: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004. Print. Lukoff, David. “Health Issues”. The Internet Encyclopedia. Bidgoli, Hossein (Ed.). US: John Wiley & Sons, 2003. Print. Wilder, Esther Isabelle. Wheeling and Dealing: Living with Spinal Cord Injury. US: Vanderbilt University Press, 2006. Print. Read More