The document discusses the benefits and pitfalls of internet usage. It outlines several benefits, including improved research capabilities, enhanced education opportunities, easier financial transactions, and real-time updates. However, it also examines negative influences like decreased creativity, wasted time, physical inactivity, and internet addiction. The conclusion acknowledges that the internet is a double-edged sword that can be used positively or negatively, and that users must leverage its benefits while limiting harmful impacts.

1. ESSENTIAL OF ICT
COURSE UNIT-:ICT1113
INTERNET –BENEFITS AND PITFALLS
STUDENT NAME-: A.T.M PERERA
STUDENT ID-: TG/2017/236

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ABOUT INTERNET ...............................................................................................................2
• HISTORY ............................................................................................................................................2
• Definition for internet.......................................................................................................................2
• Use of internet..................................................................................................................................3
1) Research........................................................................................................................................3
2) Education ......................................................................................................................................3
Influence of internet.....................................................................................................................................5
• Good influences ................................................................................................................................5
• Bad influences...................................................................................................................................8
1) Lack Of Creativity.......................................................................................................................8
COMMENTS AND CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................10

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INTRODUCTION ABOUT INTERNET
• HISTORY
The history of the Internet begins with the development of electronic computers in the
1950s. Initial concepts of wide area networking originated in several computer science
laboratories in the United States, United Kingdom, and France.
ARPANET adopted TCP/IP on January 1, 1983, and from there researchers began to
assemble the “network of networks” that became the modern Internet. The online world then
took on a more recognizable form in 1990, when computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee
invented the World Wide Web.
Ethernet, a protocol for many local networks, appeared in 1974, an outgrowth of Harvard
student Bob Metcalfe's dissertation on "Packet Networks." The dissertation was initially
rejected by the University for Not being analytical enough. It later won acceptance when he
added some more equations to it
In 1991, the first really friendly interface to the Internet was developed at the University
of Minnesota. The University wanted to develop a simple menu system to access files and
information on campus through their local network.
• Definition for internet
1. The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of
computer networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer
can, if they have permission, get information from any other computer.
2. The global communication network that allows almost all computers worldwide to
connect and exchange information.
3. The Internet is a massive network of networks, a networking infrastructure. It
connects millions of computers together globally, forming a network in which any
computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are both
connected to the Internet
4. The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer systems
across the world.

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• Use of internet
Internet is today one of the most important part of our lives. There are large numbers of
things that can be done using the internet and so it is very important. Today internet is used
for different purposes depending upon the requirement and most important parts mentioned
bellow.
1) Research
Now the point that has been placed next is research. In order to do research, you
need to go through hundreds of books as well as the references and that was one of the
most difficult jobs to do earlier. Since the internet came into life, everything is available
just a click away. You just have to search for the concerned topic and you will get
hundreds of references that may be beneficial for your research. And since internet is
here to make your research public, you can then benefit a large amount of people from
the research work that you have done. Research is one such thing which has got lots of
benefit from this evolution of internet. Research process has now got wings and has
gained the most due to the internet.
2) Education
The next point that we have in this list is education. Yes, you read it right.
Education is one of the best things that the internet can provide. There are a number
of books, reference books, online help centers, expert’s views and other study-
oriented material on the internet that can make the learning process very easier as
well as a fun learning experience. There are lots and lots of websites which are
related to different topic. You can visit them and can gain endless amount of
knowledge that you wish to have. With the use of internet for education, you are non-
longer dependent on some other person to come and teach you. There are various
number of tutorials available over the internet using which you can learn so many
thing very easily. There can’t be any excellent use of the internet other than
education as it is the key to achieve everything in life.

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3. Financial Transaction
The next use mentioned here is financial transaction. Financial transaction is the
term which is used when there is exchange of money. With the use of internet in the
financial transaction, your work has become a lot easier. Now you don’t need to stand in
the queue at the branch of your particular bank rather you can just log in on to the bank
website with the credential that has been provided to you by the bank and then can do
any transaction related to finance at your will. With the ability to do the financial
transaction easily over the internet you can purchase or sell items so easily. Financial
transaction can be considered as one of the best uses of resource in the right direction.
4. Real time updates
Real time updates have been placed at the number fifth position here. This has
been mentioned here in regards to the news and other happenings that may be on-going
in different parts of the world but with the use of internet we come to know about it very
easily and without any difficulty. There are various websites on the internet which
provides you with the real time updates in every field be it in business, sports, finance,
politics, entertainment and others. Many a time the decisions are taken on the real time
updates that are happening in various parts of the world and this is where internet is very
essential and helpful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON MY PERSONAL USAGE OF INTERNET
Internet is often used by me. Especially when assignment or any homework given I
am used to access internet and search many things. Normally I use internet for 2 or 3 hours
daily and 500mb good enough for day.
When I am using internet, my purpose is to enhance my knowledge therefore I
always access useful websites especially new technology-based websites. Spending leisure
time with internet so funny because of the social media. It helps to reduce our stress and
share our knowledge with other. But it is better to use internet only for education purposes
because time wasting is not so good. Internet is good source for academic purposes, there

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are millions of answers for problems. Internet is better entertainment source which users can
use. Game, movies, songs and so on. People can communicate at each other cheaply by
using internet.
Internet is a knowledge source that is massive and I think that every person in this
world should have right of accessing internet. It must be a fundamental right so every
government in this world should empower their citizens by giving internet facilitates. People
can expose their talents, problems and answer for burning issues into the world so not only
that but also that internet is a powerful weapon which can be used against injustice. Even a
powerful government can be destroyed by internet. People can raise their voice through the
internet but unfortunately most of the people use internet for useless purposes that is the
miserable thing that internet has. Therefore people must be inspired to do right things
through the internet. Most of people have that wrong attitude that internet is an entertain
object. That attitude must be expelled.
Influence of internet
It is divided into two groups, good and bad and so on. Internet has good impacts as well
as bad impacts therefore all these things depend on user’s behavior. It can be used for
illegal things that is too dangerous thing.
• Good influences
1. Learning and education
Learning and sharing knowledge has become much easier with internet.
Therefore students can share their knowledge and evaluate. E learning systems,
learning management systems, online video tutorials experiments and online helping
system are the good examples. It is an online library that is free from chargers.
Through the E learning systems that students can keep their studies though they
are away from school. Rural students can get advance knowledge through these type of
systems. Some experiments cannot be done by everyone so those kind of practical
videos are available on internet further it saves time and money.
Online helping system are the best efficient way to solve problems instantly. Any
subject matter can be solved by experts.

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2. Social media impact
That is very good impact given by internet. People can make voice against
violence through the internet and not only that but also proof and evidence
can be expose to the world by social media. Social media helps to be
informed about current updates of whole world. Talents can be shown by
social media. That is a best way to show up talent to the world.
Advertisements can be published easily. It keeps people updated and helps
to reduce stress. Social media is one of the best cheap, easy way to
communicate with people. Social media has helped people a lot in
communicating with each other. Different people from different cultures are
interacting today and exchanging their ideas. In this way, social media is
ending widespread stereotypes engendered by gender, caste, color or
religion. Even if relatives or friends don’t stay much in touch through social
media, they still can get an idea what their cherished ones are up to or how
they are doing. For example, Facebook has recently launched Safety Check,
a very helpful tool used by people during disasters. People can mark
themselves safe during any calamity and it will automatically notify their
friends of their safety.
3. Evolution of business
Enabling people to shop online has had a massive positive impact on
consumers throughout the world. Consumers have become more empowered
than ever before and have a greater choice of goods available to them at
much lower prices than they would pay in a local store due to the fact that
they can shop anywhere in the world and take advantage of currency
exchange rates and economic differences throughout the world.
People can buy and sell goods easily. They can do these things in home by
using internet. There are many commercial sites.
For instance -: www.ebay.com, www.aliexpress.com and etc...
4. New inventions
As internet people are used to find new things and knowledge thereby they
are motivated to invert new things daily. Internet helps to provide information

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lot of things. Inventors can take advance knowledge about technology and
develop those things. They can invent their ideas to the world and sell their
ideas. Most of new inventions occurred due to internet.
5. Saving money
I used some award-winning designers from Chile, USA and Romania for a
project for a fraction of the cost of using an overpriced regional design firm
(which had also bid for the project).
6. Saves time and effort
Using e-banking and e-government saves considerable time and effort which
gives you more time for you and your family to pursue hobbies.
7. Getting access to some of the best websites
I have some favorite websites which I often refer to for work or leisure. These
come in handy when looking for something on the web.
8. Entertainment
I like reading those funny e-mails from friends. Now you can make all your
friends around the world laugh. Even if you are not good at cracking jokes,
you can simply download them from
the internet and forward them to your friends.
9. Informed purchasing decisions
You can find information on almost any product and service. You can read
reviews, see ratings and read actual consumer feedback and make informed
decisions.
10. Always get the latest information
For being able to read latest news and gain knowledge about the latest
products within minutes of
their release.

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11. Business support
For being able to find up-to-date information and know-how on any topic. For
example, when I wanted to select a PR company, the American PR
Association had articles on how to select the best PR company for your
business. And it worked perfectly.
• Bad influences
There are lot of bad impacts due to internet. All these things depend on
user’s activity. Users must be guided or new internet laws must be imposed to
control this bad impacts.
1) Lack Of Creativity
The lack of creativity in teenagers and students is also another one of
negative effects of Internet rooting from its benefits. One significant
feature of Internet is the unlimited sources of information. This feature
benefits users by quick access to needed info at ease. However, when
everything is available, there is no need for creativity. Students now don’t
have to pay much effort on their assignment or project because they only
need a few minutes to get all information they need from the Internet then
copy paste into their work. This problem is a warning for the increase in
plagiarism, leading to the lack of creativity. When this habit happens
several times, these young people will be dependent on the Internet to
finish their studying. The same situation happens to not only students but
also to users at any age. Things get easier in a way that it becomes a
hindrance for learning and creativity
2) Waste of time
It will be a mistake to forget the waste of time when it comes to the
negative effects of Internet. The Washington Post revealed that 9%
attempted to hide “nonessential Internet use.” In addition, Stanford

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University also conducted a study showing that 12.4 percent of
participants stayed online for a longer time than they intended very often.
It is obvious that if you spend too much time on the Internet, you will have
to cut down on time for other activities. As an infinite storage of
entertainment, the Internet is somehow similar to the black hole that
leaves no way to get out. A lot of students and teenagers spend most of
their time just on watching films, surfing Facebook and playing games
instead of learning or doing other meaningful activities. If the original
purpose of Internet was to help students and teenagers work more
efficiently, it now makes them do no work at all.
3) Physical inactivity
When it comes to the bad effects of Internet, we cannot ignore physical
inactivity. As we all learn it in school, a full education includes mental and
physical development. It is the reason why there is break- time between
classes so that students can relax and work out their body. The Internet
only supports for the mental side. There is no exercise for teenagers and
students in this global system. When people use the Internet a lot, they
will lack time for physical activities
Students can submit their projects without going to schools. Teenagers
can talk to their friends without getting out of their bed. The more
convenient the Internet is, the fewer physical activities for students and
teenagers. This tendency will affect a lot on the development of these
young people. They are advised to go outside, do regular exercise and be
more active at these ages. The emphasis on the Internet use should be
reduced or, sooner or later, these negative effects of Internet will lead to
mental health problems in students and teenagers.
4) Internet addiction
The Internet addiction is not less dangerous than other types of addiction.
From the day that Internet explosion occurred, this disadvantage has

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appeared and spread throughout the world without notice. The feature of
people having trouble with Internet addiction is that they seem to marry
their own phones or computers. Anytime you see them, their eyes are on
the screen. For students and teenagers, online games or these social
networking websites are a big attraction. The pressure from parent’s
expectation, from studying or even bullying scares them severely. They
feel more comfortable and safer when living in a fiction world created on
the Internet. The dangerous problem of internet addiction is not only
about their life tendency but also their health.
COMMENTS AND CONCLUSION
Internet is like a double edged sword which can be used for both positive and negative
purposes. We can’t imagine our world now a days without mobiles and internet. They mingled
with our daily life very much and they are inseparable from us. Use internet in the positive way
and it will become the best mentor
Every new technology comes with both positive and negative effects, and it is up to us as a
society to decide if the positives outweigh the negatives. This is what we have tried to do here.
So we will summarize our findings below.
The internet has had many impacts on education, including making the possibility of a fully
accredited online degree possible. It has provided students with the makings for both their
success and their demise with online and hybrid classes. The biggest impact though, though,
has been a positive one, and it outweighs all the negative ones we have discussed. That impact
is choice. The internet has allowed students to pick their path from more than the 2 options of
old. Allowing students to choose the education path that is right for them has been an essential
change in our society.
A culture is defined in part by its art, and the internet has had a huge impact on how we
consume media, as well as how creators share their creations. Artists are encouraged to
experiment and create freely because all of their creations are shared with the web, not just the
works which are considered relevant or desirable. The nail in the coffin though, is that

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consumers are being pushed to consume this amateur media by stiffing and ineffective
Intellectual Property Protections imposed by media companies. So our media is freer, and thus
our culture is freer, so it's obvious that this has had a positive impact on our lives.
The internet's impact on our social live though is not as easy to quantify. For extroverts it can
boost communications, even to unhealthy levels, and trivialize our in person interactions. While
for introverts it can be a saving grace. Especially for people with social anxiety and other similar
disorders, online communication can be a powerful tool to both develop communication skills,
and become more comfortable with social interactions. Because of this we must say that the
overall impact of the internet on our social lives has also been positive.