The advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet

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 Thanks to the growth of information technology, we now live in the ‘Computer Age’. The Internet has many uniquely modern functions. Yet, there are risks and bad effects when using it. Four pros are going to fight against four cons below.

Widely used in offices, research institutes, information centers and education, the Internet has greatly raised the accuracy and efficiency of work, and saved much money and manpower for human beings. This multi-medium assists us in our work in so many ways. It can centralize updated data and backup documents without copying by hand. We can check available balance, make transfer payment, pay bills and buy insurance or stock through the internet. It makes our life so much easier.

On the other hand, the Internet represents an opportunity for students to explore the incredible wealth of information which enhances our learning. The low cost and nearly instantaneous sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills have made collaborative work dramatically easier. It allows us to conveniently and professionally do researches, prepare projects, and do other work. This really can enable us to acquire more knowledge and equip ourselves.

The Internet provides us with new chances to widen communication and deepen relationships. We can stay in touch with family and friends across the globe via using chat-rooms and messaging tools such as MSN and facebook, a very popular site which allows people to share photos with others. Moreover, you can meet friends worldwide and exchange different cultures.

Fun and entertainment can also be offered by the Internet. Shopping on line no longer sounds strange. It is handy and comfortable to get what you want on web sites and wait at home for the goods delivered. Children can play various kinds of on-line games. Indeed, the Internet has become a companion of man.

Despite the numerous advantages of using the Internet, there are some disadvantages we should admit.

The use of the Internet may have bad effects upon the economic fields and society. A sudden and undesirable change in a program of a computer system can cause a bank to lose thousands of million dollars within one day. Work of months or even years may be destroyed within one minute by computer viruses. People have to bear the pain of facing by sudden power cut or failures of function.
Crimes committed with the help of computers are not rare. As the regulations of uploading information or photos via the internet are not strictly revised, one's privacy may not be highly protected.  Along with the rise in broadband internet connections, people can easily share and download illegal pirated files such as movies and music. The classified documents of the Hong Kong Police Department and ICAC have been exposed to the public because of the guarantee-free file-sharing program on the Internet. Such an incident reflects that Internet crime can be so serious that it can threaten governments and businesses.
 
  In addition, computers provide no direct communication among people. Conversations are mostly expressed in written words rather than spoken language. The lack of personal interaction may result in a loss of social skills. One’s way of getting along with people cannot be practiced simply through the Internet.

  The internet somehow behaves like drugs and alcohol. Being addicted to it, people sometimes don’t know when to stop accessing it. Such behavior is regarded as a kind of illness nowadays. Overuse may result in neglect of other aspects of life, such as work and study. Unless one has the real need to use computers for a period of time, it is particularly time-consuming to surf most of the time. Moreover, some people may get their eyes hurt by sitting for too long in front of computers. These actions should not be encouraged.

Despite these facts, the Internet has been a major source of information and leisure, and we should use it wisely and discreetly. I personally think the benefits outweigh the harm. With a few clicks on the keyboard, we can virtually visit everywhere in the world. I believe the Internet will bring us more surprises and offer us a promising tomorrow.