The use of internet has advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, you have more knowledge than at any other time in history. On the other, there are violent websites or dangerous content and, in addition, people can be anonymous, which allows to generate even more violence. In this article I will detail a list with the most important advantages and disadvantages.
Internet has perhaps been the most outstanding novelty in the field of communication in the history of mankind. If you are one of those who spend hours and hours in front of the laptop, surely you have ever wondered what the advantages or disadvantages that revolve around its use.
Advantages of internet
1. Gives immediate information
One of the incredible uses that the internet provides us is the ease with which through its different search engines we can have access to any information we want in a matter of seconds.
Whether it is to read some news that interests us or to look for information about a relevant topic that we need in any language or device and from anywhere in the world.
2. Generalizes the contents
This rapid access to information and always available to all people who have access to the internet has led to a generalization of the content. That is, all information can be disseminated quickly, so it allows awareness campaigns, among others.
3. Removes barriers and space
And who today does not study at a distance? Another of the incredible benefits that Internet has brought with it has been the increase and improvement of the teaching. A few years ago we had to attend class if we wanted to study, for example in the university.
This is not necessary today, because if a person does not have time to go to school he can study from home adapting to the schedule that suits him best. On the other hand, you can also follow the on-site classes in real time if you wish.
4. Facilitates access to learning
Based on the previous point, the internet has also facilitated learning through the endless pages and educational resources of which it is composed. We can find everything we want and the field we need.
Therefore, at present, educational systems are mostly using these benefits to support the teaching of their students and thus increase their motivation in learning the content.
On the other hand, platforms such as Wikipedia, Coursera, Babbel and Teachertube have also been opened among others, which have been dedicated to impart knowledge to people of all ages.
5. Enables online work
Since it has eliminated barriers and space, it has also changed the way we work, because it is no longer necessary to be beside our partner to carry out a project together.
This can be located anywhere in the world without being a problem since we can work online with the same document or be in contact through instant messaging.
6. Increase communication
It increases positively the communication with people who are related to us both personally and professionally, as it allows us to maintain relationships with them through social networks, chats, forums, among other modalities.
Social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, among others; Have become the main means we have today to communicate with other people or even to promote us professionally throughout the world. On the other hand, it also allows us to create communities of interest to share the knowledge we have about a particular field with other people.
7. Enables globalization
It has also allowed us to take into account all of the above, to explore other cultures and ideologies that might otherwise have been impossible for us. Likewise, sharing knowledge and thoughts on global issues that affect us is also a close reality that is possible thanks to the internet.
8. Offers other forms of entertainment
With the arrival of the internet in our lives another way of passing the time and of entertaining was created either alone or in company of other people. With only access to this, we can find an endless number of free and paid games and platforms to have fun in our free time.
On the other hand, if we want to be aware of the lives of our favorite celebrities, we can also do it with just a click on our mouse and through digital magazines or news from the heart.
9. Create new jobs and search forms
Not only allows us to be in contact with our friends but also to seek and solicit job offers through the communities and portals that exist for it. As we all know there are chats and social networks that help us find jobs.
In addition, with the arrival of the Internet have created new jobs that previously did not exist related to the virtual world and the network, a clear example we have on platforms such as Amazon, Ebay, Alibaba... Companies dedicated to the sale and purchase online.
Derived from the full growth of the above, it has been necessary to train in contents that previously did not exist so that people can play these new jobs related to new technologies.
10. New way of managing ourselves
The Internet has also revolutionized the concept of buying. We no longer need to move to the stores we like to buy, we have all just a click of our mouse. It has also changed the way of accessing the purchase of tickets for the cinema or of doing our banking and travel.
Disadvantages of internet
11. Information privacy issues
Failure to take appropriate action may cause our personal information to be threatened and used by others for purposes that are not suitable for us Cyberbullying , Sexting , Grooming ...
We are all in danger if we are not aware that a person can use them for criminal purposes or even to supplant our identity.
12. Low veracity of contents
Due to the great amount of information that exists in the internet we can think that everything is adequate and truthful. However, this is not so, so we have to know how to identify those pages or portals that are of prestige in order to separate the real information from the one that is not.
There are also other blogs or recommended and reliable pages a simple look on the page will help us to know.
13. Threats such as viruses or spam
If the indicated programs of protection are not used when we are surfing the internet we can infect our device or laptop. On the other hand, this also does not protect us and prevents it from becoming infected with a virus.
We have to learn how to avoid visiting those pages that are not completely safe. Likewise, it can be uncomfortable for a person who wants to visit a web portal, to encounter unwanted advertising that causes slower navigation.
On the other hand, we can also receive spam to our emails, they serve no purpose and obstruct the computer system.
14. Creates addiction
With the advent of the internet, new disorders such as Cyber addiction . People who make excessive use of it that negatively affects their lives causing a high degree of dependence and addiction.
Not only can you create it in people who use it exaggeratedly, but there can also be other consequences on their users like depression And other addictions such as dependence on games, cybermareo...
15. Incite to sedentarism
Many young people spend most of their time sitting in front of a laptop playing with them instead of going out to play sports or playing with friends on the street or in the park.
This has also triggered high obesity Especially in the youth population, which is the one that usually spend more time in front of laptops.
16. Family communication worsens
The internet has had negative repercussions in the family since there is less communication among its members due to the excessive use of the devices that incorporate it.
17. Exposure to unwanted content
Another disadvantage that regular internet users can encounter while browsing is exposure to inappropriate content and even pornography.
For those children who use the laptop from very early ages there are programs Parental control And recommendations. Although this is somewhat difficult to control as you look for the information you are looking for you can find this prohibited content easily and unwittingly.
18. Problems to distinguish the real from the unreal
A very serious problem for many children and habitual users of the internet, is the lack of ability to know how to differentiate the real world and the virtual world. In some cases, the virtual world due to the incredible benefits that it brings can be even more attractive than the real one.
In summary
As we have seen before, the internet has arrived to stay and occupy a place in our life so much so that we can not understand our society without it or the apparatuses that incorporate it.
This has changed the way we have to communicate with other people, find work, share information, make friends... Without internet we are out of society, because now everything moves through the network to the point that if you do not have a mobile Forms part of this world. All this use has advantages as well as disadvantages and we have to be aware of them every time we are using it.
References
- García, C.M.A. (2007). New technologies applied to education. McGraw-Hill.
3. Arturo Serrano, Evelio Martinez; "The Digital Gap: Myths and Realities", Mexico, 2003, UABC Editorial, 175 pages, ISBN 970-9051-89-X.