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Parker Frischknecht
Professor Lisa Packer
English 2010 MW 2:30-3:50
17 February 2015
The Internet, Is It Worth Your Time?
Among all the bad that you can find on the internet, is there a way it can be properly used?
Although many people may say that the internet is bad and a waste of time, has it ever been beneficial
to you during your homework or when you wanted to contact distant friends and family? The internet
has become such a big part of our daily lives that many may not realize how good or bad it can be. For
many it can be their best friend and for others it is their worst enemy. Is it possible to find a happy
medium?
The Improper Use or Bad of the Internet

The internet has been proven to have many negative effects on people which should not be
overlooked. Many people, especially the youth, are becoming addicted to the internet and are spending
much of their time each day online. According to many studies and research done by Clemson
University, people are losing track of time while online and because of the excess use of the internet are
becoming depressed and lonely. Clemson University also states that overuse of the internet can cause
problems such as compulsive internet use which is where users
can't control the need to get online (The Negative).
There are many other problems that can come from internet use
and some may seem harmless whereas others can cause serious damage.
The University of Texas explains,"People may find themselves onlineshopping, gaming, social networking, site surfing, blogging, stock trading,
gambling, having cybersex, [or] viewing pornography-to an extent that it

The CIU Effect (YRSHR)

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interferes with their ability to keep up with school, relationships, and work, and/or has a negative effect
on their mood." The University of Texas explains that many of these activities can be problematic
because of the time that is spent doing them instead of focusing on more important obligations
(Problematic).
Online communication can be very useful but also very harmful. There are many people that
have a hard time communicating face-to-face with others and find it easier to open themselves up on
social media. This can cause them to rely more on social media to associate with others and less on real
interaction with other people. Communicating via social media is useful when trying to speak with
distant friends and family but should not be the main form of contacting those who could easily be seen
in person. To avoid becoming socially awkward, it is necessary to make phone calls and visits to have
live conversations (The Negative).
The Proper Use or Good of Internet

Although there are many problems with the internet, there are ways to use it properly. Linda
Starr explains that one way to control how you use the internet is to follow the Ten Commandments of
Computer Ethics.
Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer
work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's files.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for
which you have not paid.

7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources

without authorization or proper compensation.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual
output.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the
program you write or the system you design.
10. Thou shalt use a computer in ways that show
consideration of and respect for your fellow humans.
Copyright: Computer Ethics Institute Author: Dr. Ramon C.
Barquin

These "Ten Commandments" give basic guidelines on what to consider while using the computer and

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helps you think of how you may be affecting others (Starr). Another way is to learn to limit your time
and to make goals of how long you plan to use it. The University of Texas insists that more problems
arise with more time spent online (Problematic).
The internet has become a very important tool over the years for almost everybody, seeing that
it is filled with so much information. People rely on it to do research for school projects, look up jobs,
do research for their job, and to learn for their own personal interest. The internet is also used to find
how-to instructions for anything that people don't understand. It is helping teach new skills to its users
and most of the time the training is free, which most people prefer to not spend money to receive their
training (Benefits).
The internet can be helpful for making quick purchases, price comparisons, and returning
orders. Many people don't have time to go to the store and walk around looking for what they want
because of work and school schedules so online-shopping can help save them time for other daily tasks.
It is very convenient for those that travel often to be able to get on the internet, check flight times and
dates, and then buying their tickets without even leaving their houses. Another way it can save time is
online banking. With busy schedules, it is sometimes hard to get to the bank on time seeing that they
close so early, but online banking lets you check your account, cash checks, make transfers, and much
more with ease (Benefits).
Last but not least, the internet is known as a good source of entertainment. It is full of music,
videos, games, and much more. People need to have some sort of entertainment each day to help
relieve stress and to help themselves be happy. Many people enjoy spending their free time using the
different sources of entertainment but with such easy access to so much of it, once again it is necessary
to monitor how much time is spent viewing, listening, or playing online. The internet is here to stay and
is here for our good but it can turn into a bad addiction without taking the proper precautions. To make
it simple, use it, don't abuse it.

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Works Cited
"Benefits of Internet Use." Benefits of Internet Use. Cyberethics, 2011. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.

"The Negative Effects of Internet Use." The Negative Effects of Internet Use. Clemson University, 09
Oct. 2012. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
"Problematic Internet Use." Problematic Internet Use. University of Texas, 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
Starr, Linda. "Proper Internet Use | Tools for Teaching Cyber Ethics."Education World:. Education
World, 14 July 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.
"YRSHR." YRSHR. YRSHR, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.