Some people think that the Internet has become one of the most common means of
communication. Others believes that it has negative impacts on the society.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet.
The development of the Internet has paved the way for transforming communication
between people. Some people believe that cyberspace has greatly facilitated
communication while others maintain the Internet exerts disadvantageous impacts on
society. This essay will discuss both beneficial and detrimental effects of the Internet.
On the one hand, the Internet has revolutionized all forms of communication since the
beginning of its existence. Before the invention of this online platform,
communication was possible only by phone or email, which entailed a host of time
and expenses. Nevertheless, with the advent of the Internet, people are enabled to
interact with others instantaneously despite geographical distance via virtual
communication services including instant message, email or web-chat. Furthermore,
cyberspace also allows greater chance for new relationships by providing individuals
with opportunities to engage in online forums where they could unreservedly share
their thoughts and easily make friends with people of common interests. Therefore, it
is obvious that the Internet has effectively fostered communication between people,
especially in terms of speed and ease.
On the other hand, the explosion of the Internet has been considered as a significant
factor contributing to the replacement of real interaction along with social isolation.
More specifically, web-based communication has reduced users’ need to engage in
real-life communication, which may result in the diminution of their socializing skills,
thereby leading to isolation and distance from others. As the people within local
communities are no longer forming close or supportive relationships, society as a
whole is becoming increasingly disjointed and fragmented, which has substantiated
the disadvantageous effects of the Internet on social cohesion.
In conclusion, while the Internet has helped to mitigate (=alleviate: reduce
harmfulness) the communication gap between people, its unfavorable impacts on
society are also apparent. Therefore, individuals, in the role of active users, should be
attentive whilst browsing the Internet to avoid undesirable aspects of this online
platform and exploit the cyberspace to the full.
(The first drawback is that people may develop a passive lifestyle and possibly isolate
themselves from the society. This is because the Internet may be extremely additive,
therefore, people are likely to spend hours in their rooms without any communication
with the outside world if exposed frequently.)