”Oh, the internet, you are a lucky generation! “, they say. Do you still remember what sage people, grandparents, used to tell us about their old golden times when they wanted to obtain a valuable book? They had to travel a long way from one city to another, or even from one country to another, in order to buy that specific book. That would be a great success if it were found. Today, we have just to think of an idea, and it will pop out on the screen, if not in your hands (e.g., ordering a book or a pizza online). The internet has changed many impossible things into logical and possible ones, such as AI assistance and robots. It shrank time, place, and space-time for people, until the whole world has turned into a small village where everyone can interact. We see the internet this way, but there are others who may not share the same perspective. In this essay, we will explore the arguments surrounding the added value of the internet, presenting how cyberspace serves us, and addressing potential objections.
The Web, cyberspace, and Internet are defined as an out-sized system of connected devices around the world that permit people to share information and communicate with one another. They are run and governed by various companies, businesses, governments, and academic institutions for their purposes (Cambridge Dictionary). The essential process of the Internet carries a lot of data about almost every subject and has very quickly become an important part of everyone’s lives. The number of users around the world is very much increasing with time (+4.5 million internet users). Browsing the internet, every single user is looking for information or trying to solve some problems. E.g., programmers, students, parents, teachers, etc.
One of the primary arguments in favor of the added value of using the internet is its swiftness to access any information or research around the world. Students can browse and look for any potential information that might interest them; they can study any material right at home. Graduated students, for example, can search and apply online for jobs on company recruitment websites; that is, they do not necessarily have to waste time and energy by going and asking every company or institution about the available jobs. The answers are already posted on their official websites. It takes only one click to be informed. Moreover, the internet facilitates social networks to increase development and collaboration. Because of the internet, many students can study and work online on both the national and international levels. For instance, students who are learning: cyber-security, programming, and coding can work on variety of projects remotely with other students who might be from another country, and share their findings on platforms and websites, such as GitHub. Additionally, the internet service allows online payments and digital marketing. Students have the choice to obtain any service, again only by one click, whether the service is free or needs payment; They can opt for it.
There are opposing claims that state that the internet causes more harm than good because students might be manipulated, physically hurt, and confused due to the multiple resources: whether they follow this course path or the other, which can lead them to mix-up. Additionally, opponents may argue that the internet is a kind of destruction for students, especially pupils and kids. Kids, for instance, may waste their time playing online games, watching videos that are not relevant to them, or browsing forbidden websites, which can affect their mental and physical health (e.g., sitting a long time in front of the screen can seriously deteriorate one’s eyes). However, these claims are not solid enough because the duty of the internet is not to watch out for the kids and take care of them, while the real responsible ones for children are mainly their parents, not the web. This is only an excuse for people to move the responsibility on their shoulders and finger it out towards something else, in this case, the internet. Additionally, students who are mature enough should know how to find suitable information and use their critical thinking to evaluate the outcome of searching in order to find the needed ones. As for the protection of the eyes, students can use medical lenses to protect their eyes from UV, X, and EMF rays.
All in all, The debate over whether the web does cause good or harm to students is still controversial and complex. While concern exists, many cases have shown how the internet has made life easier and facilitated things from the very beginning of its discovery; whether they are students or teachers, workers or bosses, children or parents, they can always take advantage of it. What remains questionable is how it is being used. Here comes the responsibility of the person themselves, their parents, society, and the government. To get students learned and educated, they should be involved in the process of the learning journey, which can be achieved by working in groups, studying together, and sharing knowledge, all of which can be achieved via internet. As Franklin Benjamin said, “Tell me and I forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I learn.”
By Bilal IRAOUI
S3 Department of English Studies
Chouaib Doukkali University of El Jadida
