Reader Response Draft 3

According to Wakefield (2010), there is an increasing technological gap between developed countries and less-developed countries, which in turn reflects the economy of these countries. Wi-Fi infrastructures are built to provide internet access to rural areas, where PCs are also available for sale at lower prices to poorer citizens. Meinrath (2010), believes that even though people have the internet access. Meinrath also states that it is also crucial for them to have the desire to learn to use in order to maximise the benefits of internet access.

Although the article provides a clear view of the advantages of internet access with a comparison between the developed countries and less developed countries, it fails to mention the various social impacts that are affecting us.  In this essay, I will talk about how the advantages of internet access stated in the article can bring about negative social impacts in our everyday lives.

First and foremost, internet access has made humans over-reliant on the information we can get online. This would potentially mean that humans will lose the ability to function efficiently without internet access. This phenomenon can be related to the generation where the majority of us is using smartphones these days and we do require internet access in the smartphones to function. With the internet access, we are able to connect to the world with social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Moreover, the younger generation has the tendency to Google search for anything, such as homework solutions and even directions. 

Secondly, internet access enables us to be exposed to the different trends and issues around the world. However, this could also bring about negative effects to the society's perception of beauty, especially towards the younger girls. According to Strickland (n.d.), media possess a negative effect on individual self-image. The media provide a platform to showcase the unrealistic definition of beauty and body image, where viewers usually would believe them. Taking into consideration that the fastest way to transmit media is through the internet, it is evident that people who have the internet access are likely to access these media. As such, viewers especially teenagers will conform to these beliefs and to take on extreme measures to look like those showcased models.

Lastly, internet access threatens the personal information of individual through online frauds. As such, the availability of internet access brings about monetary losses in the physical world. According to an article            on BBC News Technology titled “Warning about online fraud as information theft rises”, there is a significant increase in hackers who steal personal information of online users which allows them to take financial advantage of these victims.

In conclusion, amidst the fact that internet access has brought about countless advantages to our everyday lives, it is asserted that there are numerous disadvantages building on them as well.

References

Strickland, J. (n.d.) Self Image Media Influences - Just Say Yes. Retrieved from http://justsayyes.org/topics/self-image-media-influences/ Last Accessed [15^th September 2014]

Wakefield, J. (19 March 2010). BBC News - World wakes up to digital divide.  Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8568681.stm Last Accessed [10th September 2014]

Warning about online fraud as information theft rises. (2012, July 17). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18866347 Last Accessed [15th September 2014]