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What about Hate Sites?
The proliferation of “hate” sites adds another dimension of abuse. This stands out as one of the most common ways for promoting and encouraging such ideologies as Nazism, Holocaust nullification and cyber terrorism. These sites attack with venomous incentives, religious and ethical principles. Sadly, the government of the world cannot do anything substantial to this menace because of the decentralization and borderless quality of the Internet.
Copyright Sufferers
Artists and writers have their own part of the story of abuse. It is unfortunately disappointing that the net promotes plagiarism. Websites provide free downloads of music pieces, movies and other intellectual properties at no charge and at some times without the author’s permission. Such practices are very discouraging and abuse the copyright laws of any nation in the world.
Viruses
Over 350 computer viruses are said to be released per month into cyberspace. The dangers are that when contracted, important documents on the hard disks can be destroyed and thus cause a serious damage to the computer. So watch out, most documents you download from the Internet could be virus ridden!
Globalization and the Digital Divide
While the principal aim of this network is to strengthen globalization, it is my view and opinion that the Internet will equally serve as a major tool for a perverted kind of globalization, called “GLOBALISM” which will bring about a further divide between the haves and the have-nots, the learned and the unlearned, the skilled and the unskilled, if not well confronted. And this surely will not favor the Third world countries!
Useful Suggestions to Making a Paradigm Shift
Now, it should be drawn home that the dangers prevalent online are not enough reason to avoid the Internet. The fact that there are criminally minded people, always ready to use it for the furthering of selfish and unquestionable motives, must be considered a reflection of our society and not a problem with this world-changing technology. There are promising efforts by governments throughout the world to work together to combat and govern the Internet and online criminal activities. This, however, does not mean that the problem will be solved overnight.
The first major step is education. If we are aware of the very malignant effects of what we get online, we will work assiduously to prevent what we can. Installing filter software, a kind of software that limits what one sees on the Internet, is another ebullient step toward avoiding hate, pornographic and violent sites. This may not be 100% effective. It is however useful.
Never give out passwords. When giving out personal information to websites, be careful to observe whether such websites are protected with a recognizable security symbol. To fight viruses, install and always update good virus protection software packages.
Finally, learn to function well in the world of cyberspace, making discerning judgments according to sound criteria about what you find and use on the Internet. The Internet in spite of its dangers, remains a veritable avenue for self actualization and education and information. So let us all rise up to the challenge.
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Writer Profile
Henry Ekwuruke
Henry Ekwuruke is Executive Director of the Development Generation Africa International.
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Comments
Good Solomon Ajaka | Nov 9th, 2005
This is ok and nice article!
good sulayman | Nov 27th, 2005
it makes lot of people to know alot about computer and they will never seat in class and learn about it.
highly profound write up aguogieyin igumah osazuwa | Nov 28th, 2005
i commend your effort in trying to expose all the sides of the internet for people to appreciate
Needs more features Eric Nicolas Schneider | Nov 28th, 2005
The article focusses too much on negative arguments. Without the internet there would be no civil society as it exists today. There would be NO way to communicate issues, collaborations and there would be no TIG and no community building AFFORDABLE to people from all parts of the world. Is it more attainable for African youngsters to access ifnormation and communicate with the world on issues of concern via internet cafes and public access or via the good old LETTERS? These points are the major benefit and evolution the internet gives us. the others can ALL be addressed by individual users. INTERNET CONTROL is a serious issue and government control will easily threaten the thriving culture of communication, co-thinking and co-creation, collaboration and action that we see in the world movement for being the change we want to see in the world. Look at China - culturally creative thoughts are already crimila and the internet is CONTROLLED and closed down partly. We see this in other countries also, but there the internet is still rather FREE. We live in challenging times, but it is times where every human being must wake up and become aware and become involved and RESPONSIBLE - for the world, for their consumption, their decision-making as parents, educators, citizens, leaders - and their use of the internet. It is just part of the bigger picture. You have the power to stay HEALTHY. And you must take care of it YOURSELF, and you are NOT ALONE :-) SO, I don't think we must overstress the challenging aspects of the internet, because it easily triggers paranoia and support for those working against(!!!) its huge positive aspects. So - I prefer more balance in the article :-) Thanks for the good work and raising the dialogue, Henry! Best, Eric
THIS IS COOL EMMANUEL AKAPO | Nov 29th, 2005
PLEASE KEEP THIS GREAT WORK UP, U ARE JUST SIMPLY GOOD!
Great Information Charles Wharry | Feb 15th, 2010
I put this post on my blog , I have been online since 1994 and this information is on point and on time, keep it up Henry.
Julia | Nov 4th, 2016
great article but there is negative information about casinos! casino is the perfect place to spend time and relax! Hey, people, gambling is not the evil thing it is fun! I've recently started to play at perfect website and glad to be the part of gambling community
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