One of the most significant developments in the 21st century was the web. It is a form of computer network that comprises of a collection of internet sites that transmit pictures, graphics, texts, animation and sound resources from one computer or browser to the other. The web is a significant innovation with a reliable communication method, information, news, dating sites, easy purchases, payment methods, education, jobs, and training services. However there are many adverse effects that the web has on them. The web is not necessarily a credible source of information as it is filled with all kinds of opinions from incredible research. The web has become a place of dishonest trade where people are cheated out of their hard-earned money. It has also become a haven for stalkers and sycophants who are out in the world to prey on innocent children, men and women. It has limited people’s ability to exercise, therefore, being prone to lifestyle diseases (Mail Online).
Judith Levines disagrees with Bill Gates’ notion that the web has brought empowerment in education. She thinks that the vast pool of information held by the web promotes laziness in students. However, I think that the web can be a useful tool when one needs to take a quick glance at a topic but the information may not be credible. It differs from the traditional means of acquiring information, where an individual had to conduct research and give opinions based on the findings rather than skeptical analysis. Therefore, critical thinking skills have reduced in students and individuals, thus lowering their ability to judge or interpret facts. Their writing skills have also scaled down as they cannot come up with arguments that can transition to make impressive logical statements. With this, the web has lowered reading, writing, research and critical thinking skills in individuals, therefore, hindering them from realizing their full potential (Levines). This can be viewed as destroying lives as it prevents them from pursuing their dreams to the best of their abilities.
The web has contributed many social problems in its utility as a tool of communication. There are a few advantages that can be associated with the web as a means of communication in that it is cheap, easy to use and provides an improved interface that enhances the communication process. It is also worldwide; therefore, it aids in connecting people from all over the world and puts them on a single platform. Some of the web applications used in communicating include the social media web pages such as Facebook, twitter, Skype, Google Plus, You tube, Foursquare and Instagram. However, in its quest to assist in communication, the web has also altered the manner in which individuals interact; therefore, causing adverse effects such as isolation, self-confidence issues, difficulty in expressing oneself, complicated friendships and relationships, difficulty in forming and managing relationships, and bullying. Some people have been over engaged in the web that they have been unable to form and maintain relationships with other people. Other people have been victimized on the web for their physique and mental intelligence, therefore, lead to emotional distress and even attempted suicides (Copeland).
The web has contributed to the destruction of people’s lives by providing a platform that aids in promoting heinous activities such as scams, Ponzi schemes, drugs and pornography among other wicked activities. People with bad intentions use the web to find and meet gullible people, who are later scammed or injured physically. These people have used the information on these webpages to commit atrocities such as kidnappings. A number of online purchases are not genuine since the people operating the webpages are aimed at scamming innocent buyers. Other people promote pornography by setting up webpages that contain revealing videos and pictures. Since all webpages are unrestricted, a lot of people can view this content. In the scenario where children stumble onto these webpages, a lot of emotions and curiosity is evoked in their young minds, therefore corrupting them (Mail Online). In this situation the web can be held liable for the destruction of the lives of these children.
CONCLUSION
The web can alter the lives of many individuals as it contributes in deviating them from the normal course towards a good or bad life. This paper shows that there are many instances that the web can be liable to the deviation of a normal person’s life towards the bad. Since working on the web rarely involves a lot of physical activities, one can easily develop lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure or obesity, which mainly affect people who do not exercise regularly. The paper discusses other ways that a person’s life can be destroyed by the web, for example, limiting social skills, providing misleading information, learning unpopular behaviours and even losing a lot of money. This proves that lives can be destroyed by the web (Teen Ink).
Works Cited
Copeland, Libby. “Anyone Need A Friend?.” The Washington Post. N.p., 18 July 2004. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58448-2004Jul17.html
Levines, Judith. “”I surf, therefore I am”, by Judith Levine, Salon.com, Tuesday, July 29th, 1997.” UNZ.org. N.p., 29 July 1997. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. http://www.unz.org/Pub/Salon-1997jul-00075
Mail Online. “The internet is destroying the world as we know it.” Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 8 June 2007. Web. 13 Feb. 2014. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-460901/The-internet-destroying-world-know-it.html
Teen Ink. “The Effects of Social Networking upon Society.” Teen Ink. N.p., 7 Aug. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. http://www.teenink.com/nonfiction/academic/article/485925/The-Effects-of-Social-Networking-upon-Society/
