by Todd Pheifer

Created on: June 02, 2009

The development and expansion of the Internet has, without a doubt, changed the way that modern society functions. People do almost everything with and through the Internet. Individuals and organizations communicate with each other, they conduct business, they are entertained, and they obtain a variety of information through literally millions of sources. Of course, with wonder and functionality also comes abuse and villainy. Any medium can be used for "good" and "evil" intent, depending on who is in control and what is at stake. Therefore, here are a few negative effects of the Internet.

Crime

Obviously, a new breed of criminals is a concern as it relates to the Internet. Identity theft is not a new concept, but the Internet allows for the possibility that personal information for literally thousands of people could be stolen in one shot. In addition, theft can occur from the "comfort" of a criminal's home rather than having to rob a bank or crack a safe. Identity theft can have far-reaching ramifications and can cause years of work to fix. In addition to identity theft, the Internet includes a variety of schemes and deceptions that well-meaning people can easily fall for if they are not careful.

Addiction

While the Internet can provide a great deal of useful resources, it can also be a major distraction for people who have too much time on their hands. People can easily become addicted to Internet pornography, gambling, social networking sites, blogs, and other forms of "info snacking." Granted, determining healthy "boundaries" can be subjective from person to person, but it is clear that the Internet provides many "temptations" that are sometimes too easily accessible to children and adults.

Informational wasteland

Finally, there is the issue of informational quality that is present on the Internet. As mentioned, there is plenty of quality information to be found on the Internet and many people use the Web effectively every day. However, there is also a lot of opinion, half-truths, and misinformation that makes the Internet a place that must be navigated. Many people use the Internet as a vehicle for long angry diatribes and storehouses of useless data. Overall, the Internet can be a very effective tool, but it can also be a minefield that lures people into places that are false, misleading, and downright unhealthy to the human soul. Perhaps that is a bit over-dramatic, but the Internet is a powerful force that should never be underestimated or taken for granted.

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