The internet

[Yassin]

THE INTERNET

Many questions run through the minds of new users of the internet about its purpose, definition, and history; and they will quickly discover its amazing benefits as well as its ugly drawbacks.

Generally speaking, the Internet is considered one of the fastest communication networks in the world. It provides wonderful and interesting services. On the other hand it serves some negative purposes as well. This taken into consideration proves that The Internet as it is defined by its specialists, is a global network of interconnected computers that facilitates sharing information between different users of the internet. The main purpose of inventing the Internet was to spread information between geographically scattered computers and to control a nuclear attack by United States of America. For this reason, the US established the Advanced Research Projects Agency Networks in 1969. After that, the Internet became accessible to the public, and its purpose has developed into multi-functional services.

As the internet became available to the public, many hard and difficult things have been, to some extent, overcome or reduced. Due to this advanced technology, access to the internet gives birth to many advantages; for example, communication is the main target of the Internet; it allows making global relationships and chatting with beloved people around the world. Information, perhaps, is the important advantage of the Internet because Google, Yahoo, and other sites provide users with plenty of information regarding law, marketing, conferences, history and to name a few. Entertainment is another advantage if not the most popular one, as many people prefer to surf the internet in order to download games, visit chat rooms, and listen to music. In addition to this, there are so many other interests and services, such as online banking, job seeking, and purchasing tickets; without forgetting e-commerce and e-books.

However, the internet brings disadvantages and dangers towards mankind as well. Some of these disadvantages and drawbacks are: stealing personal information by hackers like credit card numbers, spamming; the sending of e-mails to cheat people by providing them with unreal news, and virus threats

Another disadvantage and a dangerous one at that, is pornography, which targets children’s mental health as well as changing and distorting the reputation, morality, and mentality of women and men into mere sexual and sometimes illegal activities. In addition to pornography, addiction is another danger because there are many internet users that sit in front of the computer for no less than five hours at a time which can cause health problems.

Taking these facts into consideration one has to think about the appropriate way to profit from the internet and avoid its drawbacks. First, everyone should learn about and be aware of the dangers and drawbacks of the Internet. Second, parents should monitor their children. Third, every user of the Internet should organize his or her time wisely and not spend all their free time on the Internet. Fifth, there should be laws that provide security to users and harsh punishments for all who try to violate this security.

In conclusion, the Internet is one of the best inventions ever created and developed because of its uncountable advantages. Nevertheless, its disadvantage calls for carefulness and a good self-control in accessing the internet.