Like all modern technological advancements, the internet also comes with its concomitant advantages and disadvantages. Scroll down and acquaint yourself with the major pros and cons of the internet.

Pros And Cons Of The Internet

The internet is an arrangement of computers from all over the globe, connected through networks to share information and data. It has been estimated that around one-third of the population of the world, has access to the internet. Two of the major services of the internet are the World Wide Web (www) and e-mail. However, with changing times, the internet has expanded into a multidimensional and multifaceted service. Apart from business and communication, the internet has also gradually become the biggest entertainment medium. With the advent of the internet, our world has shrunk into one gigantic village. But, like all the technological innovations of the modern era, there are certain negative aspects of the internet which pose great threat to its users and society as a whole. As a matter of fact, an indiscriminate and over-exposure of the internet can lead to much social havoc. To learn all the important pros and cons of the internet, go through the lines below.
                                                
Advantages And The Disadvantages Of The Internet

Pros
  • One of the biggest advantages of the internet is ‘communication’. With new services pouring in, communication is going to be even faster, cheaper and more efficient with every passing day. Nowadays, with the use of the internet, people can communicate with others, from any part of the globe, within a blink of an eye, which seemed to be a farfetched dream not too long ago.
  • One more major benefit of the internet is information. Internet is an endless storehouse of information. Any kind of information, on any topic under the sun is available on the internet. Some of the prominent search engines such as, Google, Yahoo, etc are making this information easily accessible to its seekers. The information available on the net is so vast that, even in academics the use of the internet has now become inevitable.
  • Gradually, the internet has also evolved into a popular medium of entertainment.  With a vast multitude of sites, the internet provides a gateway to an endless assemblage of videos, audios, movies and games.
  • The internet has also made lives comfortable and the whole world now, seems to be on our doorsteps, or keystrokes. Now, in the age of the internet, one doesn’t have to wait for hours in the queues to pay bills, taxes or withdraw money and buy tickets or book hotels etc. With the help of online services, all of these can be quite conveniently done from home.
  • The popularity of social networking is also growing exponentially. It is one of the finest and most convenient medium to connect and acquaint with millions of people from all over the globe, with similar passion and hobbies. Social media sites also offer a great gateway for marketing and have evolved into a great tool for creating public awareness also. With internet, it has also become much easier to search for jobs, business opportunities, etc as there are many forums, communities and services which offer great assistance in this regard.
  • With the internet, a new economic system has evolved, known as the e-commerce marketplace. The new economic concept involves exchange of goods and other services throughout the globe, over the internet. There is a plethora of e-commerce sites which offer a wide gamut of products that can be purchased online; the products are then delivered at your doorstep.
  • With several matrimonial sites on the internet, finding a life partner from all over the world, depending on your specific criteria and parameters, has also become very convenient.
Cons
  • Internet poses a great threat to one’s personal data. As people use online banking and other transaction services, there lies a great risk of the account details, credit card numbers etc being stolen, through unsecured connections. Spywares, hacking software are responsible for many credit card frauds which have become a common occurrence nowadays.
  • Pornography is also a great disadvantage of the internet. On internet, pornographic photos and videos are easily accessible which can cast a negative impact on children and teenagers.
  • With social networking sites, people are getting more and more engrossed in the virtual online world. As a result, social and family ties are getting thinner by the day. With the growing popularity of online games, children hardly participate in physical activities and games which can be extremely detrimental to their all-round development.
  • Computer viruses are also carried through by the internet. Computer viruses are malignant programs which can cause malfunctioning of your systems and may even lead to loss of data. Though there are anti-virus software available in the market but, the rate at which the viruses are getting more and more complex is alarming.
  • With the surge in the use of the internet, the reading habit of the current generation is also on a steep decline. Previously, reading used to be a great source of amusement and knowledge but the internet, with its many distractions, has turned into a bane of leisurely reading. 
Though the internet has become a lifeline of modern economy and is an indispensable part of our daily lives, the hazards it poses are also significant. However, with moderation and discretion, people can curb the ill-effects of the internet!

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