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12 Emily Speight generally welcomes the internet but highlights some concerns about its possible effects on individuals and society. How
far would you agree with her observations, both for and against the internet, relating your arguments to your own society? [10]
Suggestions for evaluation
Suggested author’s points Conditions for agreement to her views in my
(AP) society
Reasons to welcome the Internet
1. “culture of connectedness” 1.1 Causal r/s: The cause of such a culture is the
(6.47) increasing accessibility to like-minded people eg.
social media such as Twitter and Instagram allow
users to follow and connect with people who
share their interests
1.2 Context: As Singaporeans become increasingly
informed and diverse in their opinions and
perspectives, the Internet offers users the
opportunity to connect with like-minded people
eg. social media such as Twitter and Instagram
are used by a dizzyingly diverse group of people,
allowing individuals from all over the world to
explore not only similar interests but new and
novel ones as well
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Conditions for disagreement to her views in my
society
1.3 Reach (benefit actually creates new problems):
While the Internet does connect people with one
another, such widespread connectedness cannot
be assumed to be purely a benefit; the Internet is
merely a tool, and the benefits of such a culture
arises from the intent of such connectedness eg.
we have seen deviant behaviour from the likes of
Daesh and other extremists, like Andre Breivik,
who found support and other resources through
the Internet, proving that this culture of
connectedness cannot be seen as a carte blanche
to welcome the Internet into our lives
1.4 Assumption (effect is not a result of the stated
cause): However, this supposed benefit is not a
result of the Internet, but rather the individuals
using this tool; such a culture can only be created
and bring about benefits that are to be embraced
only when individuals all around the world
demonstrate the necessary respect and sincerity in
their connections. Too often, we have witnessed a
culture of intolerance and hate online because of
this increased connectivity with others all over the
world eg. the increase in connectedness and the
diversity that is borne with it has led to the rise of
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Suggested author’s points
(AP)
Concerns about the Internet
2. “unhealthy addictions”
(7.56)
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Suggestions for evaluation
Conditions for agreement to her views in my Conditions for disagreement to her views in my
society society
right-wing online pages such as the controversial
South East Alliance on Facebook and the ‘all lives
matter’ hashtag on Twitter, fuelling heated debates
and even threats made online in reaction to the
greater connectedness of more cosmopolitan and
liberal movements.
2.1 Causal r/s: The cause of such unhealthy 2.3 Context: However, with greater media literacy and
addictions appears to be the internet’s propensity for more informed internet users, such unhealthy
instant gratification and wish fulfilment, which fuels addictions pose a problem only for individuals who are
an insatiable desire for more information and already extremely vulnerable to such unregulated
entertainment eg. the immediate access to behaviour eg. most netizens are aware of how to
information that Google offers, as well as the instant recognise and therefore cease unhealthy behaviours,
and convenient accessibility to retail, through including internet access that disrupts their real life,
websites and apps such as Zalora, and media, such as the South Korean husband and wife whose
through the iTunes store, create an undeniable but infant son died of starvation because of their addiction
unsustainable sense of satisfaction for the user; to an online game. Such extreme behaviour is not the
once this satisfaction fades, the user needs a higher result of the internet, but rather a reflection of deeper
‘dosage’, or more consumption of information and psychological issues within the individual, which our
services, to get the same satisfaction. society is addressing more explicitly through cyber
awareness programmes.
2.2 Context: In a society that is increasingly stressful
and fast-paced, the internet offers accessible but 2.4 Reach (problem can be mitigated): However, such
temporary relief from the demands of reality. As unhealthy addictions can be minimised or avoided
such, users tend to become overly dependent on the completely through a healthy support system and
internet for greater relief, which eventually becomes adequate training in the responsible use of the
unreasonable and unachievable. eg. the distraction internet, as with any machine or technological tool. eg.
of reading humorous blogs such as The Onion and Schools such as Meridian Junior College engage in
SGag tend to become less effective as the user tries regular discussions with students and teachers -
7
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Suggestions for evaluation

Suggested author’s points Conditions for agreement to her views in my Conditions for disagreement to her views in my
(AP) society society
to deal with the frustrations of work or school life, through the Chrystal programme- about responsible
leading the user to spend more time accessing more time management when it comes to online gaming, as
of such content to gain the same level of relief and well as the most effective steps in managing online
distraction. issues such as cyber bullying and content such as
inappropriate or offensive content.

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