ICT 8

Module 3: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet

After going through this module, you are expected to:

➢ Demonstrate an understanding about the effects of Internet.
➢ Determine the different effects of Internet
Lesson Objectives:
➢ Demonstrate an understanding about the effects of Internet.
➢ Enumerate some advantages and disadvantages of the internet.
➢ Give ways on how to limit the use of Internet.

Lesson 1: Advantages of the Internet

The Internet has been perhaps 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
on the internet, surely you have ever wondered what may be the advantages or disadvantages
that revolve around its use.

1. ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
A lot of information at your fingertips for any topic that is possible to imagine, since with
this great invention many barriers have been broken and it is enough to type what we are looking
for and a click to display thousands of results offering data, from the most recent possible until
written with years of antiquity.
2. COMMUNICATION
The main advantage of the internet is communication. Through social networks,
videoconferences, chats, or specialized portals you can access debates, comments, opinions,
photos, videos of other people, and have real-time communication. Whether for professional or
personal purposes, the internet allows us to have better communication with people from all over
the world.
3. ACCESS TO LEARNING
Online Education is definitely a good option for those who need to improve their academic
level. Therefore, currently, educational systems are mostly using these benefits to support the
teaching of their students and thus increase their motivation in learning content.
On the other hand, platforms such as Wikipedia, Coursera, and Teachertube have also been
opened, among others, which have dedicated themselves to imparting knowledge to people of all
ages.
4. GLOBALIZATION
It has also allowed us to take into account all the above, explore other cultures and
ideologies that otherwise might have been impossible. Social networks play a very important role
in this sense, since millions of people gather in one place, regardless of language, country, or
distance.
5. ENTERTAINMENT
Another advantage of the internet is that it provides us entertainment. Songs, Movies,
Games, and other videos are available on the internet for free. Likewise, 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 through
digital magazines or news from the center.

6. CREATE NEW JOBS

The internet does not only allow us to be in contact with our friends but also to search and
request job offers through the communities and portals that exist for it. As we all know, there are
chat rooms and social networks that help us find jobs. With the arrival of the Internet, new jobs
have been created that previously did not exist related to the virtual world and the network.
7. E-COMMERCE
 The Internet has also revolutionized the concept of buying. We no longer need to move to
the stores that we like to buy, we have them all with just a click of our mouse. It has also changed
the way to access ticket purchases for the cinema or to carry out our banking and travel
arrangements.

Other Advantages of the Internet

[Link] can make donations online.

2. We can send and receive information across large matrix of computer systems. Through email
service, we can send messages for both business and personal purposes.
[Link] has opened doors for virtual online offices.
[Link] the festive season, we don’t need to visit crowed stores to buy our stuff. We can make
online purchases at a bargain price.
[Link] can send birthday greeting cards through the internet.
6. Before making any purchases, we can check online for user reviews of the products that we
intend to buy.
[Link] can use social media applications on our personal computer and mobile devices. In this
way, we can reconnect to our old school friends.
[Link] can gather information for new job openings. We can also apply online for jobs.
[Link] can earn online by doing freelancing jobs, selling online, completing surveys, affiliate
marketing, etc.
[Link] can also sell old items that are of no use for us.
11. During idle time, we can listen to music or watch a video.

Lesson 2: Disadvantages of the Internet

1. PRIVACY PROBLEM
If the appropriate measures are not taken, our personal information may suffer threats
and be used by other people for not very adequate purposes, whether to make us cyberbullying
or sexting, etc. Also, any important file or E-mail can be easily hacked by hackers.
2. ADDICTION
Another disadvantage of the internet is that it creates addiction. New disorders such as
cyber addiction have been developed. People who make excessive use of the internet affects
their lives negatively causing a high degree of dependence and addiction.
3. FAMILY COMMUNICATION WORSENS
The internet has had a negative impact on the family since there is currently less
communication among its members due to the excessive use of the devices that incorporate it.
4. LACK OF PHYSICAL EXERCISES
Many young people spend most of their time sitting in front of a laptop using the internet.
Instead of going outside play sports or playing with their friends on the street or in the park.
This has also triggered high rates of obesity, especially in the young population. Which is the one
that usually spends a lot of time in front of a laptop?
5. VIRTUAL WORLD
A very serious problem for many young people and regular internet users is the lack of
capacity to know how to differentiate between the real and the virtual world. On some occasions,
the virtual world due to its incredible benefits can be even more attractive than the real one.

Other Disadvantages of the Internet

[Link] often tend to purchase those extra items that we rarely need. Such purchases are a wastage
of money.
2. The internet is not free. Sometimes, it hurts while paying bills.
3. There are hundreds of vendors selling products of various brands. We get confused with too
many choices.
4. The transaction cost levied by the payment gateway providers decreases the margin of the
online sellers.
[Link] many contradictory reviews lead us nowhere.
6. The physical distance among loved ones is increasing.
[Link] the emotional connect between people are missing.
[Link] feel helpless when the internet connection is down.
[Link] always remain engaged with many online activities such as checking emails, socializing,
chatting, online shopping, business-deals, etc. We don’t get time to rest.
10. Our life is moving at the pace of internet. We seldom spare few moments of peace for us.

Lesson 3: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF INTERNET IN EDUCATION

Advantages:
Using Multimedia
Arguably, it is believed that visual data has a greater impact on learning and memorizing
than plain text. Therefore, images, graphics, animation, pictures, slides, documentaries, etc., have
a greater appeal than a plain textbook. Using multimedia and Internet provides an opportunity for
children to gain knowledge about a particular subject in depth. Students can now see actual
photographs of rare bird species, or see animated graphics of a volcanic eruption to understand
the concept in detail.

Online Learning
Another positive effect of Internet in education is the onset of distance education or online
education (internet-based training (IBT) or web-based training (WBT). With this facility, you can
take up short-term courses with the course material available online, attend virtual classes, learn,
and appear for exams. One of the benefits of online learning is that people from any part of the
world can gain knowledge on different subjects, complete courses, etc

Easy Contact
Students can contact other students or their teachers via the e-mail if they have queries
about any information. Sharing of information, discussions on a particular subject, etc., can be
easily carried out using the Internet. At the same time, teachers can also contact parents and
guardians easily using Internet.

School/College Projects
Using the Internet can be very useful for completing projects in schools and colleges. As
the Internet is an ocean of information, covering nearly all subjects known to man, one can find
information, research work, etc., required for one’s projects. Going through the information on the
Internet is definitely faster than reading an entire book on the subject. Completing homework is
also easier with the help of the Internet.

News
All the latest news is constantly updated on the Internet on news websites. Students
learning politics, can have an access to all the current affairs through the Internet. Historical
accounts like speeches, biographies, archive videos and photographs, etc., are also easily
available on the Internet in detailed and accurate versions.

Affordable Knowledge
Investing in research material may be tedious and unaffordable for some. But, now, thanks
to the Internet, we have content websites, web encyclopedias, and dictionaries whenever we want
them. Today, able as well as less-able students can benefit from the sea of knowledge on the
Internet. University courses and learning is now easy for people belonging to all strata of the
society with the help of online courses.
Easy Education System
Not only gaining knowledge, but, every part of the education system is simplified because
of the Internet. You can now view your prospective educational institute, look up courses, enroll
for online courses, take classes, research, see your results, and even look for job prospects on
the Internet. Therefore, the scope of Internet in education is very wide and equal to all.
No Age Bracket for Education
Online courses provide an opportunity for people of all age groups to take up education of
their choice, according to their liking and wish. Be it a student, a housewife, or a professional,
they can just start up their computers, connect to the Internet, and take virtual classes. Therefore,
people can now gain knowledge according to their need and time available. You are, now, never
too old or too busy to learn something new.
With these points, we find that the importance of Internet in education cannot be denied,
and hence, every student should be given access to the Internet for deeper understanding and
knowledge of a subject. However, lots and lots of information can be termed as both, advantages
and disadvantages of the Internet as students can also have an access to unwanted or unethical
information and sites. Therefore, it is only wise for parents to make students understand what is
good and what not for them, or keep a watch on their surfing (web browsing).
Lastly, although the Internet cannot replace books or classroom education, it is one of the
best substitutes for those who wish to gain deeper knowledge on literally every subject under the
sun.

Disadvantages:

1. Lack of accreditation and low quality

2. Little or no face- to- face interaction

3. More work
 4. Intense requirement for self- discipline

5. Even more intense requirement for self- direction

Lesson 4: Effects of the Internet on Society

The internet is the guiding technology of the IT Age just as the electrical engine was of the
Industrial Age. The internet is a global network of inter-linked networks that mainly provide
wireless interactive communication. Though the internet was first deployed in 1969, it was only in
the 1990s that it became available to the public.

From there onwards, its use has diffused rapidly throughout the world with there being
around 7 billion users of wireless devices currently that employ internet technology. With about
7.7 billion people in this world and with limited use among those under 5 years of age, it’s almost
safe to say that the entire humanity is now connected to the internet! There are however variations
in the bandwidths available, the efficiency and cost of its use.

It’s been postulated that about 95% of all information available has been digitized and
made accessible via the internet. The internet has also led to a complete transformation in
communication, availability of knowledge as well as social interaction. However, as with all major
technological changes, there are positive and negative effects of the internet on the society too.

The positive impacts of the internet include the following:

• It provides effective communication using emailing and instant messaging services to any
part of the world.
• It improves business interactions and transactions, saving on vital time.
 • Banking and shopping online have made life less complicated.
• You can access the latest news from any part of the world without depending on the TV
or newspaper.
• Education has received a huge boost as uncountable books and journals are available
online from libraries across the world. This has made research easier. Students can now
opt for online courses using the internet.
• Application for jobs has also become easier as most vacancies are advertised online with
online applications becoming the norm.
• Professionals can now exchange information and materials online, thus enhancing
research.

The negative impacts of the internet on society include:

• Easy availability of illegal or inappropriate materials online that isn’t age-suitable.

• Addiction to social networks can disrupt an individual’s life, both personally and
professionally.
• Some miscreants use the internet to hack into people’s accounts for spurious activities
including stealing data or banking information.
• Yet others have been known to misuse the internet for spreading hate and terrorism, two
dangerously catastrophic scenarios.

However, those indulging in misusing the internet are few and far in-between. On a global
scale, the internet has been the best thing to have happened to human society in recent years.