Effects of Internet on Politics and Social Life - Essay Example

Effects of Internet on Politics and Social Life Name Date Affiliation Effects of Internet on Politics and Social Life Internet connection and accessibility have led to the formation of a more diverse world although it has not facilitated creation of free and equal world. There are many advantages related to internet, and it has really improved the lives of people. For example, the internet has facilitated effective communication where people can communicate freely without barriers. The invention of Skype, face book and g-talk has revolutionized information to a great extent. Through the internet, one can get education, and this makes it easy to access education. For example, distance learning has been adopted by many universities and students have successfully completed their studies. This shows that the internet is a successful source of knowledge, and it should be elevated day in day out. In terms of employment, it has created thousand employment opportunities hence providing daily life to many (Margolis & Riaño, 2009). However, internet has failed occasionally when it comes to the provision of free and equal life. For example, the issues of face book and twitter have turned to be one of the biggest stumbling blocks towards achieving privacy. Privacy is essential to every person, and it is an entitlement to everybody. However, according to the trend portrayed by research, it evident that these social sites are playing is playing significant role when it comes to publicity. For example, one can easily peruse your profile in the face book and get your private information. The information might be used to tarnish somebody’s especially is a villainy get it. Such cases have been reported where a celebrity is caught doing a weird thing and through internet the action is published. For example, Wayne Rooney was once caught easing himself in the wall, and the paparazzi posted his picture on the internet. This did not only affect him but also his family. Therefore, internet affects the privacy of an individual to a great extent. Moreover, there are cases where the photos of tennis player Serena Williams were publicly showed (Margolis & Riaño, 2009). The pictures were not so as appealing, and this was not just a shame to her but also her family and friends. Therefore, the internet was used as a tool, to tarnish her name that could affect her career negatively. The internet has also affected the social life of human beings. Prior the diversifications of internet, people were compelled by circumstances to communicate but its spread has contributed to mute relationships. For example, it is quite possible to board a train or a plane but you will not communicate with the person seated next. This is only because that you may have a PC or tablet that you are using to surf the internet. Initially, people used to communicate freely in parks, restaurants and other public joints but these days’ people are alienating themselves just because of the internet. Lack of free communication will result to increased stress and many people will start suffering from depression. It has also been noted that families are falling due to the internet factor. People are so busy chatting with friends in the social sites forgetting that they have families that need to be attended. For example, a husband might be so busy when it comes to internet forgetting that there is a wife who needs attention and care (Margolis & Riaño, 2009). If this habit continues, the family might end up breaking, and it can all be blamed on the internet. Internet has also contributed to moral decay in the society. Most of the countries do not regulate the contents that are posted on the internet, and this makes it easy to access pornographic materials over the internet. When these pornographic materials reach people especially the teenagers and other young people, they will tend to do such kind of things thus endangering their lives. Through internet, children have learnt some evil practices such as masturbation that have continued to erode morals in the society. More also, through internet, one can access prostitutes and one may be tempted to call them. Such temptations are continuing to endanger the morality in the society. Therefore, internet should be used in such a way that immorality is highly controlled to avoid occurrences that will lead to morally eroded society (Farivar, 2011). Still on the social aspect, internet is not accessible to everybody. For example, it is only the computer literate people can access and use the internet. Most of the internet users are the educated chaps while the illiterate people cannot use the internet. Therefore, if it is information that was supposed to be retrieved from the internet, it is only the educated people will have the advantage of accessing the internet. Therefore, in such a situation, the internet is creating disparity in the society (Head, 2005). Moreover at times, the internet connections are very expensive, and a common man cannot afford such fees. Therefore, information disparity will be created and only the financially able will be able to access the internet while the other people will not access the internet. This shows that the internet is not working towards harmonization of the society rather it is working towards the larger disintegration. A free society is where anybody can do whatever he or she wishes without restriction from the society. However, the actions should not affect the people living within that particular society. However, in the society today, people are not free because internet has created suspicion and mistrust. For example, a prominent person may not communicate with at local level because malice will be put in practice. Moreover, parents are always on their toes so that they can filter whatever their children are watching. This is meant to deter them from engaging in pornographic acts among other evil practices. About that, it is affirmative that society is not free as we ought to think. The internet provides information on everything one wants to know. For example, even there procedures to use when one want to make explosives. This kind of information is dangerous especially if it is used by the wrong people. It has been known that minors have used this experience, and some of them have ended up dying in the long run. Therefore, internet has continued to kill our society gradual in as much as it is benefiting (Head, 2005). Internet has also affected politics in one way, or another. Most politicians have employed internet heavily in an attempt to excel in their political careers. Face book and twitter handles have played a great role in politicizing politicians. For example, during the previous election in America, there were very many twitter handles and face book pages that were helping the people to get more and more general. For example, Mitt Romney who was a republican worked hard on the internet’s politics although he did not manage to scoop the seat. However, there has been always a challenge when it comes to the internet and politics. Its use is restricted to the elites only making it hard for the other population. For example, political manifestos that are posted on the internet can only be viewed by the elites only, therefore, making the old and illiterate miss the mark. Therefore, a candidate might pass during an election not on the basis of merit but misinformation (Johnson, 2000). If people are not informed appropriately, then it will not possible to make right decisions, and that is what the internet does at times. Internet may be used as a tool of propaganda. Many are times politicians use propaganda to taint the names of their competitors in an attempt to increase their chances of survival. The internet is the main platform where all these is done and finally, ruining the career of politicians. For example, a former UK politician was quoted saying that the floods and storms which were facing the state could be attributed to the gay marriages which were happening. The internet did not only tarnish his name but also used all forms descriptive words to call on him. He was branded a fool and conservatism, and this worked negatively influenced his life and also any career that he would be taking after retiring from politics (Farivar, 2011). Moreover, the internet has been used by the radical groups to spread hearsay against the state. These radicals may even call for a protest, and this has been experienced in Egypt, Morocco Syria among other countries. The fall of these countries can be attributed to internet because the self acclaimed Muslim brotherhood leaders mobilized people through the internet and coerced them to join the protest. For instance, in Egypt, Hosni Mubarak was ousted through social media these radicals moved and started spreading hearsay against the president. Finally, the military supported the masses and the president was removed from power. These brotherhood leaders are guided by the principles of greed and ambition, and that is why they engage in such revolutions not considering the impacts. Many people die through the revolutions and property is destroyed leaving women and children in the sun. Therefore, it is evident that the internet not only affects social life but also political life (Farivar, 2011). The internet and blogs may also be used to give false information about government and its expenditure. Such information may also be used to turn people away from the state, therefore, creating instability. For example, a year ago, some French poultry farmers demonstrated after some bloggers asserted that the government would not be buying eggs from farmers due to inflation. This statement brought many farmers on the streets of Paris not knowing it was a hoax from the radicals. In summation, it should be noted that internet is pivotal to the daily life, but it should not be used on the extreme side. It has been used to spread immorality on our societies the fact that has affected families negatively. Moreover, politics and general social life has been affected by its use and, therefore, caution should be taken to avoid more bitter repercussions. References Head, T. (2005). The future of the internet. San Diego, Calif.: Green haven Press. Farivar, C. (2011). The internet of elsewhere: the emergent effects of a wired world. New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press. Johnson, D. (2000). The Internet Alters Politics. The Futurist, 2, 23. Margolis, M., & Riaño, G. (2009). The prospect of Internet democracy. Farnham, England: Ashgate Pub. Read More