ROLE OF INTERNET IN OUR SOCIETY

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE INTERNET HAS BECOME A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE FORCE IN TODAY'S SOCIETY? ADDITIONALLY, DO YOU THINK YOUR LIFE WOULD BE BETTER OR WORSE OFF IF YOU HAD LIVED DURING A TIME IN WHICH THE INTERNET WAS A CONSTRUCT AND NOT A REALITY?









BY








STANLEY SETONGO AND JACOB WAISWA








© AUGUST, 2008

Introduction:

Internet is worldwide network of computers that can be accessed by a university computer network as well. The internet allows local computer users to find and use databases[i] on the computer of other academic institutions, research institutions, private institutions and government agencies (Brooks Library, 2008).

It has vast net-work of scholarly and popular information like; mere texts, music sounds, pictures and moving pictures. As an international conglomeration of interconnected computer net-works, begun in the late 1960s and developed in the 1970s to allow information sharing (Computer Help, 2008).

Has the Internet become a Positive or Negative Force in Today’s Society?
To the greatest extent the internet has been a positive force to today’s society because of the reasons below;
Through internet, there is a link between consumers and businesses। They interact and transact business with one another. Sounds, pictures and moving pictures help reveal samples of goods and services so that potential customers can develop interest and chose to buy -proving form advertising and marketing opportunity (customer creation). And through banks, they can oversee money transfer from one bank to another.

As a result, business people make a living while customers gain satisfaction from consuming the goods and a service, conducting of business is made easy and faster, new ideas and opinions are developed and obtained, which eases management of businesses and customer care interventions (Knowledge Management Systems, 2004)।

But government too uses it to measure strength of their support through what is popularly known as public opinion। From it, they can formulate policies that are best for its citizens. It could be an alternative to physical structures –where one only has to sit in front of a computer and transact business –which helps reduce physical stress at counters and too much wastage of time at queues (Byarugaba, 2008).

With internet, it is possible to maintain customer websites। These could contain information regarding products on sale, their prices and how to get them. And as far as updating these websites and subsequently uploading them to the host website are concerned, internet availability is basic in successfully doing so.

Also, updating could involve inclusion of new products for customer viewing and changing the face or design of the website। Besides, business, websites could identify specific group and communities with values spelt on it, which helps to promote solidarity, identity and sense of belonging (Catholic News Service, 2008).

As a source of global information people are able to make decisions over health choices, career or job and personnel searches and academic institutions they wish to join। Internet consists of very many experts trying to influence way of life in health, entertainment, science and technology, अकादेमिक्स. Interested individuals use this opportunity to interact with them, learn, compare relevancies of notes and knowledge, and adopt meaningful lifestyles that bring them satisfaction in life (UW-Milwaukee, 2008)।

And because of the universal networks, communication at that level is made possible through sending and receiving of information via email, webinars, inter-conferencing and/or video conferencing to individuals and groups of people –whose system of interconnections grow bigger, as more people contribute to it (internet) information for others to receive, and it could be a net-meeting organized by a school, in a boardroom or anywhere through इंटरनेट.

With the same means disaster occurrences could be reported in real time and news taken for action by the international community. And from the evidence of images and geo-features decisions could be taken and disaster effectively managed (GIS Development, 2008).

The limitations or negatives, however, are; the high security risks due to faking, theft, impersonation and conning other of money through false persuasions or pretence, and the absence of privacy –as some people can break through emails and read them. And using internet one would track down anybody and anything for personal knowledge without permission of those in perspective (Horrigan and Raine, April, 19th 2006).

Others include; computer virus infections –which often could cause loss of vital information, lack of customer confidence in the use of internet banking option, high cost of running internet services, absence of legislations to regulate internet use and keep security (Byarugaba, 2008; internet source).

The sexually explicit material could drive children as early as twelve to experiment sexual intercourse। Research by Kraus and Russell (2008) showed that more cases of sexual influences were more in those exposed to internet pornographic material than the category without access.

On the other hand, internet replaces human nature। For example, where courtship or dating –which needs to experiencing the physical attraction, reciprocal expression of feelings, and providing natural setting for them, are foregone. And because people never have time to touch, experience physical attraction, and create a bond, they end up splitting within a short while.

Internet, also, can be expensive to maintain in the course of wear and tear। Moreover, not all can afford the facility. Most schools and tertiary institutions either lack internet or are struggling to meet the increasing demand for its access.

Worse still, frequent power black-out in a country like Uganda interferes with the procession of information and/or overall use of internet, while petrol for generators, which could be an alternative, is expensive.
Still to note, commercial internet providers can be very exploitative to their clients by making the data processing speed very low, while charging more fees compared to work covered –which turns out to be below consumer satisfaction।

At same time, net-working companies as MTN and Uganda Telecom face competition, with the introduction of internet and growing numbers of users –noting that internet provides an alternative to phone calls and sending of messages। This is good for the consumers but not for the commercial section henceforth, a limitation.

Better or Worse if We had Lived in a Construct or Reality of Internet
Like the case with drug abuse, living in the reality of internet would only be worse –in favor of the construct era if users abused rather than utilize the internet facility। Its abuse could harm the individual and community by way of eroding, and influencing people to disregard cultural values and moral expectations.

The negative effects from internet abuse could include; sex abuse resulting from porn materials, nude behaviors and mini-body dressings –associated with western civilization or so-called modernization, physical stress and breakdown due to overuse of computer and most especially, eyes स्ट्रेन.

But, as regards facing the realities rather than live in the construct world of internet would be better because of the so many benefits obtained from internet use. For example;
In carrying out survey or comparative research as basis for decision-making, facilitates sharing of information and broadening of knowledge -as millions of research findings flow everyday, making connections to jobs, to potential marriage partners and pen pals, to funding institutions, and to academic colleges that suits an applicant।

Above all, internet use narrows the world into something one can “hold by hand” and reach out to anytime, and with confidence। This situation is what is commonly known as the global village –meaning that the world has shrunk to the level of a village due to information technology. This, therefore, makes it better, not worse -to live in realities of internet rather than of construct. In fact, the future would be great, enjoyable and productive if everyone in society accessed internet.

[i] An organized body of related information

References:

Brooks Library Internet Source (August, 2008), Define internet: Central Washington University. Retrieved: August, 24th 2008 from http://www.google.co.ug/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&q=http://www.lib.cwu.edu/research/help/cwuglos.html&usg=AFQjCNEJzu9m2EzM2S7q0iXbI8J_sJN4YQ

Byarugaba (2008): The Role of Internet in Banking Environment. http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:ZfP7GXsDCfwJ:www.dgroups.org/groups/i-network/docs/ROLE_OF_INTERNET_BANKING.ppt%3Fois%3Dno+role+of+internet&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=61&gl=ug (Retrieved: August, 24th 2008)

Computer Help (August, 2008), Define internet: Retrieved: August 24th 2008 from http://www.google.co.ug/url?sa=X&start=12&oi=define&q=http://www.gbdpro.com/glossary2.html&usg=AFQjCNH8k_wowHVVIdoMUcYZGKKApOLzuA

CNC (May 6th 2008). Experts: Church must address the role of internet in Identity and Community. Retrieved: August, 24th from http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0802488.htm

GIS Development, (2008). The Role of Internet-based GIS in Effective Natural Resources Management. The Geospatial Resource Portal. Retrieved in August, 24th 2008 from; http://www.gisdevelopment.net/technology/gis/techgi0030a.htm

Horrigan and Raine (April, 19th 2006). Internet’s Growing Role in Life’s Major Moments. Retrieved: August, 24th 2008 from http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Iad-ffFD5IwJ:www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Major%2520Moments_2006.pdf+role+of+internet&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ug
Knowledge Management Systems (2004-11-01). Role of Internet. Available: August, 2008 at http://turing.une.edu.au/~comp292/Lectures/HEADER_KM_2004_LEC_NOTES/node93.html

Kraus, and Russell [April 1, 2008, 11(2)]. CyberPsychology & Behavior.: 162-168. doi:10.1089/cpb.2007.0054

UW-Milwaukee (2008). The Pervasive Role of Internet. Retrieved: August, 2008 from http://www.uwm.edu/~mbarndt/explos.htm