The Pros and Cons of using the Internet

Computer magic

The Internet is one of the most important inventions in history. It was started in 1968 by the US government, but at first it was used mainly by scientists.

The Internet is a network of millions of computers around the world, connected by the phone lines, satellites in order to exchange information with each other. The Internet links computers, and the World Wide Web is a system which links the information stored inside these computers. To visit a website, you simply enter the address. Your computer is connected to the website, a document is downloaded, and a page appears on your computer screen.

The main use of the Internet is to find information - for your schoolwork or job, or just to find out more about your hobbies, sport or current events. You can also use the Internet to read books, newspapers and magazines, play games, plan your holiday or buy things from Internet shops. You can use the Internet to chat with people and make new friends.

Computers have changed the lives of disabled people. They can help them to communicate and to live more independently. For example, Voice is a program that changes pictures into the sounds. Different colours and shapes have different sounds. Blind people can listen to the sounds and ‘see’ them by using their ears. They can also use the program MouseCat to speak - they write words and the computer says them.

Disabled people can become more independent using Handy 1. It is a robot with five different kinds of movement. It can help very disabled people do activities like eating and drinking.

It is often difficult for disabled children to meet other people. DO-IT is an Internet program that helps them to get support from other children who suffer the same problems.

The Pros and Cons of using the Internet

Just ten years ago, very few people heard about the Internet. Now it is nearly as common and useful as the telephone. You can enjoy the world of information, entertainment, on-line shopping and e-mail services. However, the real world of the Internet may not be as perfect as you can imagine.

Using the Internet offers many advantages. Firstly, all of the latest information is available to you, in your home, at any hour of the day or night. It is much faster and easier to surf the net in search of information from all over the world than to travel to libraries. Moreover, on-line shopping is very easy as you can save both time and money. For example, the users can buy books, find out about holiday offers, book tickets. Besides you can share your hobbies and special interests, and perhaps make friends all over the world. What’s more, it’s a chance to practice your English.

On the other hand, the Internet has several disadvantages. First of all, some people claim that the Internet is dangerous because it is addictive. I agree with them because lots of people, and especially teenagers, spend hours chatting or playing games. What is more, some ‘adult’ websites are really not suitable for children. In addition to this, there is too much advertising instead of real information. As for Internet friendship, sitting home in front of a computer and making ‘chat friends’ is not the same as actually meeting people.

In conclusion, we must admit that the Internet obviously has both good and bad points. It has definitely changed the world for the better. Whether we like it or not, the Internet is here to stay, so we have to make the best possible use of it.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14