The impact of the internet

            A recent topic which we’ve covered in class which caught my attention is what can happen to teenagers and other young people online. As the statistic suggests, I am part of the 63 % who prefer texting over sending emails or making phone calls. I find it generally easier and more convenient to send out quick and simple messages along with a greatly increased chance for a quicker response.

            With using technology, there will always be a risk for hackers and cybercriminals to steal personal information. This brings up the issue of safety online for children. They are a prime target for adware, cybercriminals and hackers because they are not always aware of the risks associated with using the internet on a regular basis. Online safety strikes me as both a complicated and important issue. Growing up, I have never been educated about the risks that come with internet usage. For instance, if a website asked me to provide personal information, I would seldom be concerned, often providing the information without hesitation. I believed that regardless of what I said, I would remain completely anonymous and that others would not that I was the person who actually wrote the online post.

            When it comes to downloading and shopping online, this issue is brought to even greater light. Since I am in the age group which statistically has the highest rate of internet usage, online safety is most important to me and others in my age group. Information is so widely available and it is even easier for people in my age group to end up viewing inappropriate online content because we have already reached the minimum age required by law.

            Amid the risks of using the internet, it provides a lot of beneficial information to the public. Furthermore, the things I’ve learned during recent years has shown to me that contrary to what you may believe, information which is posted online can be viewed by many more people than you believe. I almost forced myself to think about the implications of what I say on sites such as Facebook, twitter and commenting on YouTube videos. The consequences from my previous habits have caused me to have much more strict standards regarding downloading and buying software online. Following recommendations from my parents, I decided that I would only download software if I was absolutely familiar with the source.

            This type of behavior is essential in order to avoid being deceived by hackers and cybercriminals. Rather than let the previous bad habits control myself, I was able to channel all the negative events together and learn from my mistakes. This is what taught me how to avoid situations such as that of the Catfish episode we viewed in class.

            Such guidelines have also carried over towards building up my trust in others. Trust is the foundation of close relationships. With trust, one knows that they can count on the other person to perform tasks and get things done for them even when they may not know for sure whether it is getting done. I have this kind of trust in my Church friends here at Penn State. They make me very comfortable and I can always be certain that they will include me when I ask if I can hang out with them via Facebook.