1.0 Introduction
The Internet is a conclusive technology of information era, consisting of globally connected computers for sharing information and communication. Even though many people might think that it is a new invention, the fact remains that the internet has been around for quite a long time. The internet is one of the most imperative inventions that have happened to humans, and the fact is that without it life would be entirely different as it known. With the internet, there has been a definite advancement in the society, giving an opportunity to people from all over the world to communicate and express their thoughts and feelings.
Despite the fact of being one of the most used words at this age, a noteworthy question would be whether people actually know what the internet means and how it has been impactful to the society? Indeed, the internet has significantly seen people of different backgrounds brought together and provided them with a constructive platform of appreciating the changes taking place in the society. In this paper I will analyze the positive and negative consequences of the Internet impact on society in terms of different activities and discuss where the Internet will lead people in the future.
2.0 Impact of the Internet on the society
2.1 Transformation in the entertainment sector
The entertainment sector is an old one. People were always attending concerts and listening to songs played on radio cassettes and stereo systems because those were some of the readily available option they had. However, not much changed in the sector immediately the internet was invented. With time, internet developed into something that totally revolutionized entertainment. It is universally accepted that it has been taken to different measures through the access of internet. Instead of going to cinemas to watch the latest box office and Hollywood releases, one simply subscribes to certain certified sites at a fee and he/she is able to access the films.
The Internet has influenced entertainment in both positive and negative ways but for the community as a whole it is something appreciated by all. People can easily access old and latest music on the YouTube, and even use certain software to download and store them in computer drives. The YouTube is also home to football clips and a lot of comedy clips for free viewing on the internet. The internet has also made it easier to get gossips and updates on favorite musicians and actors/actresses. Musicians are enabled to be virtually present at a concert, and even perform at the concert without necessarily making a physical appearance, thanks to the internet. Additionally, people are offered all their dreams on the internet, for instance, a some people would love to go to casinos and make bets, but since their beliefs or age does not allow them to do such thing then they can do it over the internet for just a fee. There are betting websites that anyone can access on the internet if one has the money on their credit cards for the registration (Slevin, 2000).
The internet has made entertainment so easy for both the entertainers and fans all around the globe. The only negative impact of internet on entertainment is infringement on copyright. This is because there are sites that allow internet users to use certain software to download music freely, and that violates copyright laws. Such serious disadvantage of the Internet cannot be easily erased. As Andrews (2005, p. 27) writes “the average individual’s low risk of actually being prosecuted for Internet piracy, coupled with very high statutory penalties that are rarely implemented, does not appear to be an effective method of deterrence.” Copyright owners should be more focused on elimination of internet privacy as a phenomenon rather than on increase of the gains from crimes. The demographics of potential internet pirates can be examined more thoroughly in order to determine the risks. Moreover, according to Andrews (2005, p. 27) “the relationship between the severity of potential punishment and likelihood of conviction is not only complex but also vital to effective deterrence and optimal criminal law.”
2.2 Improved shopping experience
This shopping experience as a result of the internet has strongly been an advantage for the women though even men do shop online. A decade ago people had no power and capabilities to shop for goods outside their country without them having to travel to the country. This used to be an inconvenience and a waste of time for many people. Internet has revolutionized the manner in which business is conducted. Nowadays people are able to get their orders from different countries promptly and without leaving their homes. This view has been supported by Slevin (2000). There is almost no limit as to what one can buy online because even cars and machineries can be purchased online and shipped from one part of the world to another.
Another advantage of shopping online is that one is able to see and choose from among several commodities. The online shopping basket allows one to pick many different commodities and pay for them and sometimes, there are benefits attached to shopping beyond a given threshold, such us discounts and free shipping arrangements. If anything is out of stock, it will be indicated against the product, then one looks for alternatives or waits until it is restocked before they can make any purchases. According to Lombardo (2008), there are always mixed reviews on the shopping experiences of different people. Those reviews and feedbacks are always very useful for people who want to make a decision to buy from any given online shopping platform. Where the reviews suggest poor services such as delayed deliveries or varying qualities of what was posted online and what ends up being delivered, one is enabled to makes an informed choice as to whether to go ahead to buy or not to do so as per the desires of a person.
Despite the fact that many people find it hard to trust strangers they have met online, most companies have come up with secure ways to assure that their clients feel safe when buying products online. Even some of them have created a return policy in case the customer is not satisfied with the product (Bob, 2002). There are, however, certain negative aspects and dangers of online shopping which can never be ignored. The fact that one does not get to physically see the product they are purchasing leads to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of such items. Some of the products may be defective, and they are sent to the customer in such conditions. Once they have been delivered and the customer notes anything bad or defective about the product, they can only be lucky to be allowed to send it back for replacement, and even if they are allowed, it is a hectic process and the wait for a second delivery cannot be endured by many. For this purpose Mueller (2010) suggests that Internet governance should be broadened. It should include “contention over censorship and content regulation; battles over the protection of trademarks and copyrights; privacy and surveillance policies; economic regulation of communication services; and technical standards formation” (Mueller, 2010, p. 10).
The other danger of shopping online is a case where the commodity is manhandled during shipping. In many cases, one would only realize that the commodity was broken when they unpack it, and maybe they do so when the courier person has left. The responsibility for the damage is transferred to the customer the moment the courier person leaves because it becomes difficult to convince the seller that the commodity was received in a broken state. Overall, though, there are very rare cases that online shopping goes wrong if the online seller is a certified one.
2.3 Provision of a platform for more work opportunities and development measures
Uzebu (2012) notes that “the Internet is a useful tool both for citizen empowerment and disruption of industries.” Indeed, when it comes to having employment opportunities that enable people to grow, the internet has made it possible for people all over the world to have a chance to work in the comfort of their home, office and even outside their comfort zones. The internet has become a very important platform form posting job adverts, for jobs available locally within a country or even abroad. “The internet is changing employer’s recruitment and selection methods and the process of job search” (Green, de Hoyos and Li, 2011, p. 2), with the job applications being received instantly by the human resource departments of the companies to which the job applications have been sent. Nevertheless, besides freelancing jobs, particularly in journalism, other job opportunities require face-to-face conversations through the means of webcam example being internet learning, interview or other outsources opportunities.
The internet also creates virtual jobs where people can telecommute, which means working for a remotely located employer without having to be physically present at the workplace. Castell (2002) notes the fact that one is able to complete the tasks within just a few hours leaves them with more time to engage in other part-time employments to get more income. At a very individual level, one can indulge in blogging and article writing and get some good income. Themed, creative articles written have become some of the good income earners, and are always less demanding as one can work from anywhere, a park, library, living room, absolutely anywhere. Such articles, if good enough and addressing a particular topic that is of interest to anyone, can be purchased for some good amount of money.
Another job opportunity the internet has created is a case where people have to open internet cafés in towns, busy streets, colleges/universities etc. That way, it acts as an opportunity for gainful self-employment. This has turned out to be a developmental measure in most of the advanced and developing societies. According to John (1997), internet service provision as well as network installation is also a viable job opportunities. For there to be an internet connection, there has to be an internet service provider, as well as a network installer who configures the computers. The internet service providers the world over are employers of several information technology-savvy people. People use internet more and more, and that means the demand is high. The increasing demand for internet services has made the internet service provision business a major investment, thus creating more job opportunities as the companies have to expand in order to serve the rising demand.
However, there are some challenges for the economy as well as for a particular individual brought up by the Internet. Green, de Hoyos and Li (2011, p. 76) “threats of online fraud and computer viruses and risk of exposing important personal information over the internet” require the user to be more cautious using the Internet. According to him, some challenges also refer to “older or less computer ‘savvy’ individuals needing to adapt to the new requirements of employment” (Green, de Hoyos and Li, 2011, p. 77). The Internet require governments and society to adapt to new related technologies what means that those who oppose this intensified adaptation are automatically at a disadvantage. People with higher level of education are usually more proficient with the computers; that is why they are likely to get better positions.
2.4 Enhanced platform for freedom of speech
The advent of the internet has expanded the space in which people exercise free speech. The internet enhances speech more than do print and mails. Thanks to internet, people are today better able to exercise free speech on serious issues such as bad governance or make agitations on issues touching on freedom and civil liberties. Paul and Leung (2004) consider that the wave of free speech on the social media can be so much that even a revolution can result. Some of the anti-government movements and uprisings in the Arab world have achieved a level of success due to social media mobilization. Where the free speech on the internet has been exercised with decorum, there has been a lot of positive change in governance and human rights advocacies.
The internet helps such kind of people find other people who agree with their ideas and share the same views with them and therefore improving their self-esteem (Lee, Leung & So, 2004). The freedom of speech as perpetuated by the internet, however, is not without shortcomings. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are the most used online social media platforms in the world today. The freedom of speech in these media has resulted in use of indecent language; what’s decent and what’s not depends on the community one hails from. Some of the speeches are unpolished, unfiltered, sexually explicit, vulgar, and emotionally charged (Paul & Leung, 2004). A lot speeches with racial undertones have found their way to the internet, especially through increased used of social media. Those are some of the reasons why governments have intensified internet surveillance to try to check and control internet content. Internet censorship is another thing that is coming up in selected countries as a result of irresponsible use of the internet.
However, there are negative aspects regarding the freedom people get on the internet such as racism, neo-Nazism, child pornography and others, which are aired without a care of who will see or hear. Evidently, the freedom of speech on the internet platforms has led to things like cyber-bullying, which is a serious human rights concern. The freedom is used maliciously by some people to damage the reputation of others. There have been rising cases of cyber bullying-related lawsuits where people press charges against others who harmed or harassed them using the social media. Hsu (2011) writes that “many schools are required to have policies in place that to reduce the number of bullying incidences, including policies that address the occurrence of cyberbullying.” However, there are still no enough legislation aimed directly at cyberbullying prevention.
2.5 Improved balance of power
A practical reality about the internet is that it does not choose or discriminate anyone; in short, it is a platform where celebrities, kings, presidents, and criminals are all the same. However, for the geeks and nerds things are a little different due to their extra knowledge of technology. Balance of power in the international relations sense means no country in the world is weak enough to be dominated by others. Information is power; the countries which are aware and have information on current global political and economic affairs are powerful in a way. Internet has proven to be an important information tool for all the countries, and always has real-time news on the serious current affairs. Thanks to the Internet, even the smallest or poorest of countries feels powerful because of information. Much as there are countries which are more powerful economically and politically, it has become impossible to impose it one lesser endowed countries, and that has to happen, consensus and diplomacy is the only way to do it.
However, the power in the international relations is imbalanced. Such state brought about a new phenomenon called electronic colonialism. McPhail (2014) defines it as “the dependent relationship of poorer regions on the post-industrial nations which is caused and established by the importation of communication hardware and foreign-produced software, along with engineers, technicians, and related information protocols.” Thus some nations can easily influence people around the globe by spreading some ideas via the Internet. Carefully selected method of information presentation ensures expected outcome.
John (1997) notes that the internet has enabled easy communicate with each other regardless of their financial status or background and therefore making the world seem like a small place. Internet information brings the world nearer to every internet user, no matter the country they are in, and that has decapitated the global political and economic supremacy between the western societies and the rest of the world. Since most of the people who use the internet are young people at the end of the day, they will have a lot of knowledge on both current and old events as compared to individuals who do not use the internet.
2.6 Revolutionized healthcare
The healthcare sector is one of the beneficiaries of internet development. According to Castell (2002), thanks to the internet, it is much easier to read even the latest researches on various diseases and new methods of treating certain diseases. The medical field, more than even the field of technology, continues to have intensive researches on various diseases and a number of health issues. The internet has almost all the useful information which, if consolidate, can provide solutions to some of the longstanding medical dilemmas. Through the internet, a sick person can use signs and symptoms of an ailment to search the internet for a temporary or quick-fix solution to their problem before they rush to the doctor for further examination and specialized attention.
As Jam Kotenko (2013) writes that “social media is becoming more and more utilized by hospitals and medical professional as a means to convey general health information, sometimes even personalized help,” it is obvious that doctors and medical professionals today find the internet, especially the social media very useful for sharing information on various diseases and providing patient care. It is continually becoming easy to use the social media to offer personalized help to health problems. Doctors all get to connect with other doctors on the internet, and that makes it possible for them to consult on a variety of health issues. Through consultation, there are high chances that they will come up with a working suggestion on the best way to handle a particular health issue. They do not have to go for health induction workshops to be able to get a way forward for a health challenge. The internet has made it so easy.
However, the problem is that “you can’t trust everything you read online” (Kotento, 2013). Some of the information provided through the internet is inaccurate or completely unverified. This means that such consultation can only do harm instead of providing some treatment. Customers should be more cautious about the sources where they get information because they are the only ones responsible for their health if they consult the Interned instead of doctors. Moreover, without knowing history and patient’s current condition, such treatment can provoke the deepening of the disease. “We cannot provide specific advice, nor can we diagnose users via social media” say the doctors (Kotenko, 2013).
2.7 Enhanced the education sector
The education sector is one of the major beneficiaries of the internet development. The internet contains all the information that one would require on any given academic field, be it math, engineering, or science. The internet is widely used today to look for a lot of academic information, which in many cases is more detailed and comprehensive than what is contained in the syllabi. Most instructors prefer to use the internet notes, which they import to MS Word and print out to make pamphlets, but they always have to cite sources so that copyright of the internet authors is not infringed (Harris, 2015).
E-Learning is today a very popular arrangement for studying, where one studies and takes exams on the internet. That is time saving and also saves on finances because is not restricted to the tedious process of having to commute to the countries hosting the universities they want to study in. There are a number of universities in the United States and other developed countries which are exclusively meant for e-learning, and have no physically established classes. People have been able to enroll for undergraduate, masters and PhD programs on a long distance learning arrangement, and successfully completed their studies. According to Olson, et al. (2011) e-leaning influenced education in terms of shortage of teachers and learning material. It provided new learning approaches and updated and improved learning content, thus the quality of education improved. Moreover, e-learning ensured not only professional skill but also communicational and technology ones.
Universities and colleges students are always tasked with carrying out researches as a partial fulfillment of the requirements of the courses they study. Those various researches have been made seamless through the internet. One only needs to get as much information as they need for any given field, and use it to complement the data collected from the fieldwork for that particular research assignment (Bob, 2002). They are then able to put the compile the research into a single logical, coherent document that can be built on by further researches in the future.
The field of education is a wide one, and is the mother of almost all other fields. If the internet information is applied correctly in education, as a supplement of the existing academic curricula, it will no doubt result in expanded knowledge and is actionable and applicable in real life in the various fields. With the rich knowledge, people will be creative in their various fields, be it engineering, medical, technology, business and a lot more.
3.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, it has been established that the internet is one of the best ingestions man has ever had, and this is not only because of entertainment but also for making people learn to appreciate each other’s differences through learning. Indeed, there is no single part of our lives that has not been affected by the internet, be it in business, learning, working, socializing and entertainment. However, it is hard to agree to it but we need the internet for our lives to be complete. One thing that should be understood by everyone is that the internet is here to stay and not going anywhere, and it is up for the people to let it be a part of the society.
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