"The
internet is a toilet. It is"- Lady Gaga. When people are being asked about
their opinions about the internet, it will always be a split standpoint. Some
say that the internet is bad. While others regard it as the greatest thing that
humans have invented. But for me, as an avid internet user, I would definitely
say that the internet brought much more benefits than harm to us. The invention
of the internet paved way for more advanced technological breakthroughs in the
history of mankind. Through the internet, we've created a universal virtual
library in which vast information from different fields are being converged so
that people can easily access information and even share their own. There are
billions of material available on the worldwide web. Different online content
includes text, images, animations, music and videos. But what really are the
benefits and risks of consuming online content ? Would our world be better off
without the internet?
One
of the most obvious benefits of consuming online content is that you will be kept
updated. From new scientific discoveries to latest social trends, expect that
you will be one of the first of thousands of people to know about it. Choosing
the internet as your search engine will also give you a broader scope of
information in a short period of time. With google, bing, and other online
search engines, you can obtain as much information and content you want by just
sitting and manipulating the computer using mouse and keyboard. Furthermore,
all online content are in the form of digital media in which interactivity is
present. This implies that when you consume online content, you are not just
simply consuming it, but you are also given the opportunity to contribute
something and express your insights about it. Online content consumption
promotes self-expression of an individual or group identities which leads to
creative collaboration and establishment of communities of shared interest.
Example of this is the social media platforms. In my opinion, the reason why a
lot of teenagers are getting hooked on social media is because through these
they can express themselves. In a hypertext environment, like the social media,
readers are welcome to take an interest in making content, involving both
readers and writers to learn from each other.
But
even though consuming online content has its numerous benefits, it also has
some risks. Ironically, some risks arise from the benefits. Since everyone is
entitled with self-expression and anonymity (which is supposed to be a benefit)
in the internet, there are people who tend to abuse it. Some people create fake
accounts to bribe and hoax fellow online consumers. Some also use digital media
and upload it online to spread, fake news and propagandas to mobilize
followers. Furthermore, in the online environment, people with bad intentions
can easily manipulate information that reaches the consumer. This can alter
human choices and raise risks to society. Online content may also contain
violent and horrific content that may cause trauma to the consumers, especially
children. An example of this is the Momo Challenge which lures the innocent
kids to do dangerous things and eventually encourages them to take their own
life.
It doesn’t
matter how you perceive the internet, whether you see it as a piece of heaven
or just a toilet, all of us can experience its benefits and risks at the same time.
For me, it is not the internet that is the problem. It is us! To minimize the
risks that we get from consuming online content, we must be cautious and be
disciplined enough. We must always be critical to every content we see and
validate it first before consuming. And if we see some any anomaly, we must not
be afraid to report and correct it.
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