Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet

The Internet is the most popular and innovative creation within the world of technology is the Internet. The web is the place where all types of data are present and even the communication process is feasible using the web. The planet has now become internet-dependent due to its vast advantages. There may be a check both its advantages and drawbacks.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines the web as an outsized system of connected computers around the world that permits people to share information and communicate with one another. The web is run and governed by various companies, businesses, governments, and academic institutions for his or her purpose. It carries a number of data about almost every subject and has very quickly become an important part of everyone’s lives. Over 4.5 billion people everywhere on the planet are internet users currently. Now let us look at the advantages and the disadvantages of the Internet.

What is Internet?

Internet is an advanced web technology in a global space with the interconnected computer networks. With the help of multiple protocols such as TCP/IP, it enables the communication among devices and networks. With the help of it, any user can get quality information for particular queries.

Features of Internet

There are multiple features of accessing Internet, such as:

• Access to any information easily: Any user can have access to all types of information available on Internet just with a single query result. In other terms, it's referred as "encyclopedia of the world".
• Easy Communication and Research: As a communication network, Internet enables the establishment of easy communication among devices and networks. Even for writing or searching any information for particular keywords, researched queries helps us to get adequate information.
• Effective Networking Opportunities: With the help of Internet, most of the companies and users are accessing it establish effective networking with the other leaders or businesses. This helps in more revenue increase and professional portfolio development.

Applications of Internet

Here are some of the applications of Internet:

1. Quality Communication and Information Access

The Internet has revolutionized how people communicate. Email and instant messaging allow for fast communication through Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, etc. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram enable users to share updates, photos, and ideas, with their family or friends. Multiple news websites and blogs update proper information to the users with verified sources.

2. Social Interaction

There are multiple online forums and platforms where we can discuss and mention our points over particular issues on Reddit, Quora, etc. Social networking sites like LinkedIn and Pinterest help people connect professionally and personally, share interests, and discover new ideas.

3. Productivity and Work

The Internet has greatly influenced everyone to improve their work productivity through automation and integration of AI. Project management tools such as Asana and Jira help teams organize tasks and track progress.

Advantages of the Internet

The internet is perhaps one of the best inventions thus far. As anyone can access the computer this made people by stripping away geographical barriers and sharing information instantaneously.

• Communication Forum: The speed of communication becomes faster which is obtained through the web. Families and friends can use the internet easily. The platform for products like SKYPE, ZOOM, Teams, etc. allows for holding a video conference with anyone in the world who also has access. It helps in connecting two people present anywhere very easily. 
• Abundant Information: Anyone can find information on almost any imaginable subject. Plenty of resources are often found through the program in minutes. The Internet helps in providing information on all topics.
• Inexhaustible Education: For instance, students can gain readily available help for their homework online. Not only homework but there are also so many platforms that provide online education that helps students to gain knowledge in various domains. It helps in increasing the knowledge of the learner.
• Entertainment for Everybody: Most folks love using our laptops, smartphones, and, tablets. The web is the big reason behind us spending such a lot of time on these gadgets. With the ease of the Internet, the entertainment industry has also scaled and it helps in expanding in many ways like OTT platforms and many other platforms, etc.
• Online Services and E-commerce: Many services of email, online banking, online shopping, etc are there. Free mail to anyone is definitely accessible all around the world. E-commerce enables one in America to shop for things in Asia, Africa, or other areas of the world through some simple clicks of the mouse.
• Social Network: Social networking is the sharing of data with people across the planet. Aside from being an entertainment website, it's many uses. The Internet has given a massive gain in these social networking sites as it connects people who are far away in just a few seconds. 
• Learning: The web has now become a neighborhood of education. Education like homeschooling is definitely administered using the web. Teachers can upload their teaching videos on the web and nowadays many more platforms have come to teach students because of the accessibility of the Internet.
• Internet Banking: Internet Banking is one of the main advantages of the Internet as it helps people nowadays in using banks in a digital way which helps in people not going to banks, not standing in queues in banks, etc. People can use banking services at their fingertips with the help of the Internet.

Disadvantages of the Internet

The Internet's drawbacks can't be overlooked any longer as numerous teenagers are affected by Internet Addiction Disorder, then many ladies became online shopaholics.

• Internet Addiction Disorder: Internet addiction is detrimental to not only fitness but also psychological state. Many people suffer from this problem as they are addicted to the Internet and use their devices without thinking about the time they wasted on the device.
• Cyber Crime: Cyber Crime can lead by Hacker programs a virus that gets into the pc and ruins valuable data. Users' personal information like name, address, master card, bank details, and other information are often accessed by culprits when used on the web, leading to significant economic loss.
• Social Alienation: Time spent online flies fast without consciousness. After getting attracted the user is trapped into the trap, users are trapped by a “net”, spending less time with people in the real world. Less interaction and face-to-face communication, actually, may end in a decrease in social abilities.
• Spam: Unnecessary emails, advertisements, etc. are sometimes said to be spam because they need the power to hamper the system and make the users face many problems. Heavy use of the Internet leads to so many issues like bank account fraud, internet fraud, etc.
• Health issues: Playing games and spending too much time on monitors leads to obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle. It also impacts the eyesight of the person using the device for a long time. It has very serious health issues.
• Wastage of Time: The Internet is one of the ways which can lead to the wastage of your time. It happens to almost all of us nowadays, as we start surfing and we continuously start surfing and do not realize how much time wasted. This results in increasing screen time, and this leads to loss of memory power.
• Virus/Malware: Use of the Internet can lead to the invitation of viruses to the system and make the system unproductive, it is one of the big disadvantages of using the Internet as your system can hang because of viruses.
• Affect Focus and Patience: The Internet can lead to affects individual focus and patience which can lead to distract someone from achieving his/her goals in life and this is one of the disadvantages of the Internet.

Conclusion

The Internet can be an advantage and can also be a disadvantage to anyone. It totally depends on the person and how he/she uses it. If the user uses it for growing their knowledge or learning or some meaningful work, it is an advantage for him/her, but if the user uses it for something unproductive, uses it for threatening, or hacking somebody, it works as a disadvantage for the Internet. Its proper use can improve somebody's life and its improper use can be a disaster to someone. Overall, it totally depends on the person and how he/she uses it.