Whilst man’s basic needs can be primarily classified into food, shelter and clothing, I believe that in the near future, the internet shall replace any one of these. Call it an exaggeration, but let’s talk about it.
Internet is a technology of freedom and being free can be quantified as a quintessential need of man. The internet gives man freedom. Thanks to advancements in technology in the past decade, one does not have to stay in a fixed location anymore to communicate or function properly. Even organizations can work interactively with one another, without being in the same location, unrestrained by time and space.
The Internet is now embedded in our day-to-day activities, changing the way we interact with our environment and communities in general. With payments, education, travel, socials, entertainment etc all enabled by the internet; we literally cannot survive socially without it.
With all this dependence on the internet and the internet of things, how will we ever function if there’s an internet blackout of sorts? Can you bear to think or imagine how much different living could become? Although the concept of the internet was a new subject matter barely 25 years ago, we cannot imagine what life could become without it today. The same way COVID locked down movement of persons, what impact would the seizure of internet do to mankind? These questions force us to evaluate the negative effects the internet may have.
The addiction to the internet and it’s applications, can be an a problem if there is no proper checks in place. The same way cocaine and Indian hemp can affect the brain, similarly, through social media for example, dopamine hits can become an addiction. This can lead to time wasting and causes distraction from the things that hold value such as fulfillment, mental health, workplace productivity and relationships.
Another downside of the internet is the aspect of privacy and security of information. With the internet, everything posted cannot be deleted and would only take some sleuthing to uncover. Spending so much time doing everything with your personal information on the internet, hackers can easily acquire personal details that can enable them commit fraud and other criminal activities with one’s identity. As such, cybersecurity has been the latest buzzword in the IT sector. Yet, we turn on the news daily to hear of security breaches in which data is stolen and heavy damages paid by multi-billion dollar corporations.
In conclusion, whilst we cannot deny the ease of living a good life with the internet, there is also need to strongly consider regulating the timing of internet use and information shared. A good balance of internet usage would increase efficiency and yet, allow for a sense of real community and positive mental wellbeing.
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