The Internet is one of the greatest creations of technology. Due to its
significant advantages, the Internet can be easily seen to be used in almost
every field, be it education, entertainment, news, communication, etc. Apart
from the many advantages of the Internet, the Internet also has many
disadvantages.
Internet refers to the connection of many networks on a very large scale
like around the world. It enables millions of electronic devices, websites,
and servers to connect together. In other words, the connection between two
or more electronic devices established using TCP/IP protocol (Transport
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) to exchange information is referred to
as the Internet.
In this article, we are discussing some of the major drawbacks or
disadvantages of the Internet. With all such disadvantages of the internet,
an immense impact on human life has been seen.
What are the disadvantages of the Internet?
According to one saying, "Where there is a boon, there is a bane" and
the Internet is no exception. These days, the Internet has trapped everyone
with unlimited access to content, no matter the age difference. No matter
how many disadvantages of the internet, people cannot even think of life
without the internet in this technological era.
Following are some common drawbacks or disadvantages of the Internet:
Internet Addiction
Although there are many services for which we rely heavily on the Internet,
it has also become unnecessarily addictive for many people. The use of the
internet is not limited only to students or youth, it can be seen to be in
heavy use by kids and children as well. Kids these days like to watch online
videos on platforms like YouTube for every doubt or unlimited entertainment.
Similarly, students and youth are also using the internet unnecessarily,
whether it is social chat, internet surfing, watching videos, etc.
In this way, the Internet has actually made many people addicted, increasing
their screen-on-time and limiting their mental and physical development.
Lack of Focus
With its simplicity and uses, the internet has made people less focused
towards their activities. It has affected the focus of many people in
real-life activities. For example, when people use navigation for any route
using online maps, they rarely focus on the route and surrounding areas/
locations. Instead, they keep checking on the map, relying completely on it.
In this way, their mind is not very active due to less thinking,
observation, and inner exercise of the mind.
Similarly, students do not focus on general knowledge and even education as
they feel that they can find anything on the internet when needed. There are
many other activities as well. Lack of focus is also reducing the power of
learning in individuals.
Theft of Personal Information
When using the services on the Internet, users are required to share their
personal information with the respective platforms. For example, when using
social media sites, users are often required to share their personal
information to create an account and connect with others. Similarly, while
using e-commerce sites or any payment-related service, users are required to
share their card details, mobile number, etc.
Although most platforms try to keep users' data safe and secure, it cannot
be fully guaranteed. The slightest breach in the system will lead to the
loss of users' data. There have been many instances in the past where users'
personal information has been leaked from major platforms. Fraudsters and
hackers are always active on the Internet and try to steal the personal
information of users for misuse.
Misleading Information
Since the internet is available to everyone, any person can run their
website, making it accessible worldwide. Also, there are many free blog
platforms that allow users to create their own personal site in a few
minutes. People can share their thoughts and knowledge without any authentic
inspection or review. Because of this, there is a possibility of getting the
wrong or misleading information on the internet.
Since the internet is available all over the world, people may get wrong
information while reading such websites or blogs. In addition, social media
platforms also support sharing of misinformation among large user bases.
Misinformation or news can sometimes cause great harm or even lead to riots.
This is one of the major disadvantages of the Internet.
Sensitive Information
Nowadays, the Internet has unlimited content for different categories.
Although there are many knowledgeable resources, it also includes sensitive
or less desirable information or content such as pornographic and violent
things, whether images or videos. Such sensitive data can very negatively
affect people, especially children. There are many bad resources on the
Internet that can show such content even if users do not request to view
them.
Spams
Unnecessary or repetitive emails, advertisements, messages, or calls that
are sent on a large scale are called spam. Spam affects human life in
different ways. They can cause problems in the respective devices by slowing
down the performance. Also, persistent spam can take up the server's storage
unnecessarily. Besides, spam mail or advertisements may contain sensitive or
violent content. In this way, spam can cause a lot of trouble to the users.
Virus Threat
A virus refers to a program developed in the sense of corrupting users' data
or devices and obtaining or hacking the personal and sensitive data of
users. The Internet is one of the primary sources through which viruses are
deployed to users' devices. There are different
types of viruses, each with a specific purpose to cause trouble for users, companies, and
even governments.
When using the Internet, there are many sites that automatically start
downloading malicious files or viruses to the devices. Once these malicious
programs are executed, the system can become unstable. Also, people download
software and other files on the internet and sometimes wrong files (viruses)
are provided to the users.
Ransomware is one of the popular malicious programs that blocks or encrypts
all the data on users' devices and asks users to pay a certain amount
(ransom) to unblock or decrypt the data.
CyberCrimes
Cybercrime refers to all such criminal activities carried out using
electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and the Internet. There
are more than hundreds of
types of cybercrimes
that fraudsters take advantage of to carry out criminal activities.
The most common example of cybercrime is piracy where people share another's
copyrighted material without their permission. This usually includes music,
software, movies, etc. Cybercrimes also include many other crimes such as
developing and distributing viruses, identity theft, money fraud,
harassment, etc.
Trolls, Bullying & Stalking
Since people can use false identities to get accounts on social media
platforms, they feel that they will not be caught even after doing some
wrongdoing with other users or religions online. Most of the people use this
anonymous nature of the internet to troll, abuse, and bully others.
Moreover, most of the people share their personal information and even their
day-to-day activities publicly on online platforms, which makes it easy for
the stalker to get all the details about them. Based on that, stalkers can
use such details to misuse, such as using the details for fake social
accounts, spreading negativity by manipulating information, tempering with
them in real-time, stealing, etc.
Unusual Expenses
The Internet has enabled people to buy things using online platforms and get
them delivered to their homes. Therefore, users do not need to put much
effort to buy the item. Also, many offers and discounts attract users to
shop. Because of this, most users do not think much about buying the
products and spend unusually even without needing those items. Moreover,
buying goods online also becomes an addiction for some people, leading to
unnecessary expenses or serious debt.
Apart from this, there are many popular online games like
PUBG,
BGMI,
COD
where players unnecessarily invest their hard-earned money to buy virtual
dresses, cars, and other stuff. Also, gambling and betting attract many
internet users where people lose their money for nothing.
Money Frauds
Money fraud has increased a lot with the Internet. Fraudsters take advantage
of many methods to cheat people online. The most common way where users lose
their money is through phishing. With phishing, a fraudster clones any
trusted online website and lures users with fake offers. When users make a
purchase, fraudsters obtain users' card details and withdraw their money
without delivering the promised or purchased goods.
Apart from this, most of the users lose their hard-earned money to the hands
of blackmailers. Also, using e-wallets (like
Paytm, Amazon Pay, etc.) and internet banking insecurely will result in loss of
money for users within a few seconds.
Waste of Time
Although education has become easier with the Internet, students often lose
their focus while studying on their own. Since most of the sites and video
platforms are full of advertisements and entertainment content, students go
there for some rest or break during their study hours. However, they may
spend or waste more time on other things instead of studying.
Not only kids, but users of all age groups can also waste their time on the
internet. Most of the people waste their time on online videos where there
is no limit to watching videos. Online gaming, social networking sites,
dating sites are other time-wasting internet resources. Moreover, even a
simple purchase from an online platform can take extra time as there are so
many varieties to search on the internet.
Always on Work
With work from home, the internet is constantly blurring the line between
office hours and personal life. Due to internet access, companies always
expect employees to be available for any urgent work at any time of the day.
When people work in the office, they get paid for a certain amount of time.
However, when they are working from home, there may be an email or message
of essential tasks at any time. Most people usually end up working for such
tasks without being paid for the extra time they have given.
Social Alienation/ Anti-social
Once attracted to the Internet, users spend more time with virtual life than
with real life. They meet random people on the internet while gaming or
using social networking sites. Also, people try to compare lifestyles with
other online members, whether real or fake.
Spending too much time with virtual friends usually keeps users away from
their real-life friends, relatives, or family. In addition, the fake virtual
lifestyle gives rise to the false perception of people in real life. As a
result, most people who use the Internet have difficulties with face-to-face
communication, which reduces their social ability, decreases
self-confidence, leads to loneliness and even depression.
Obesity and Health Issues
According to proven researches, when people are sitting in front of
computers or other devices using the internet continuously for many hours,
it often causes obesity. With the Internet, users often do not pay attention
to time and spend more than enough time playing online games, using social
media platforms, watching videos, etc. Because of this, people usually have
to face many types of health problems not suddenly but in the latter days.
The frequent use of the Internet affects the eyes significantly and often
leads to headaches. In addition, carpal tunnel syndrome is another serious
problem that users often face when they spend too much time in front of the
computer. This syndrome can severely affect body posture and result in
lifelong health problems.
Summary
This article discusses more than 10 disadvantages of the internet. With a
list of these disadvantages, the internet is affecting human life immensely.
Although there are many disadvantages of the internet, we cannot stop using
it these days because most of the work/tasks totally depend on it. In this
way, the advantages of the Internet easily outperform their disadvantages.
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