The future of internet

What Does the World Need to Have a Secure Internet in the Future?
Globalization and open internet use would have vulnerable and disruptive implications for different communities in the future. However, in the web domain, strict formulation and enforcement of internet regulations can be useful in addressing such a threat (Zaidi & Rajarajan, 2015). Despite the fact that the internet is becoming increasingly common among the younger generation, critics, educators, and the older generation continue to raise concerns about online privacy, digital inclusion, and web literacy. As a result, despite the various benefits of the internet, the future of an inclusive, trustworthy, and stable internet is jeopardized if the regulatory stakeholders do not take the required steps. Several studies and reports by different organizational bodies and boards such as internet Architecture Board (IAB), continue to present detailed findings and conditions on how to address increasing internet expansion, the research findings are unlikely implemented. From the early 90s, the adverse effects of the internet as a result of poor use continue to expand into different communities’ exposure embracing the new technology (Rothwell, 2017). Therefore, this paper aims to explore how issues like online addiction, security, and privacy caused by poor internet use can be resolved through the establishment of relevant policies.

Problems

The increase in cyber-related crimes continuously indicates how vital online security and privacy are fundamental. Over the years, several cases of third party access to personal data on online platforms have been reported (Rothwell, 2017). Moreover, search engines, organizations, and governments are always accused of personal harvesting information for various uses such as online marketing and security surveillance. However, these data in some instances have landed into wrong hand and criminal groups that used such information for cyberbullying, intimidation and blackmailing purposes.

Increase internet availability and access continue to present a new challenge with mental disorders. Pathological internet use (PIU) is increasingly becoming a common condition among youths of the 21st century. People suffering from this internet addiction spend most of their time online that they tend to forget about other important aspects of living such as families, friends, and social activities (Cowhey & Aronson, 2017). Lack of socialization and interaction in persons with peers pose a threat in communication to these individuals. They find it hard to express themselves in public forums. Moreover, this condition is also associated with other mental effects of depression and anxiety (Ritchie, Awal, & Eyeson, 2015).

Regardless of gender, race or nationality, individuals should be allowed to access the internet freely. However, stakeholders must focus on internet purpose based such as digital inclusion and data exchange. Through this means a reasonable use of the internet will be achieved and adverse effects minimized.

Causes

Technological changes over time push individuals to venture into online platforms for various reasons, some for business to buy certain goods and services, interactions while others as organizational protocols. However, most of the internet uses to understand a little or have no clue on data control, what they should provide or not, as a result, most people’s personal information is readily available online (Martinovic, et al. 2014,). Continuous occurrence of these mistakes has demonstrated sufficiently lack of awareness among internet users.

Lack of proper social and family structures give way for young youths to turn to the internet as their source of communication and interactions. Through online platforms like Facebook, these individuals are likely to open fake accounts and use them to spread their ideologies anonymously assured of no victimization (Bilke-Hentsch, 2017). Internet addicts struggle with low self-esteem and to control their behavior as well as find their identity. Most people assume that it is entirely the responsibility of the media platform to ensure privacy and security of their data. However, securing personal information start with an individual deciding what information they pose to these sites. Moreover, internet monitoring by parents and organizations does not provide the surety to curb internet addiction.

Solutions

The future of a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive internet lies in not only formulation but also an implementation of specifically designed policies to curb these issues affecting internet use. The Global Commission on Internet Governance (GCIG) report named ‘One Policy’ provided essential guidelines to governments, institutions, and communities to formulate policies that can ensure healthy, vibrant internet use in future (Zaidi & Rajarajan, 2015).

In the report, internet governance involves rules, shared principles and decision-making programs aimed at guiding internet users. The policy proposed by the findings received many criticisms on its adoption with several critics arguing that it was impossible to implement. However, countries like the United States made considerable steps introducing different laws like computer Misuse Act. The law of contract, Copyright Act (Bilke-Hentsch, 2017).

The database right prohibits any individual or institution from presenting parts or content of the protected databases in any other form without owners’ consent. However, other factors such as corruption severely affect the implementation of this policy therefore many people continue to break the copyright law and get away without any consequences (Carli & Durkee, 2016). Thus, there is the need for technological advancement to limit the number of copies that can be retrieved from original data, if not producing completely anticopying signatures to prevent reproducing same databases. Law of contract and computer misuse, websites should provide their terms and privacy conditions easily accessible. In case the conditions prohibit data mining, then such activities should be treated as the break of contract law and misuse of computer and be charged or banned from using such sites.

However, solving internet addiction require the efforts of both communities, and individual initiatives. First, the government through community support systems can create more opportunities to serve as alternatives recreations adventures than playing internet games (Ekinci, 2014). These activities could include community music clubs and ball games. On the other hand, individuals can prevent an addiction by carefully evaluating and limiting the time they spend on the internet and what they do during such times.

Conclusion

Internet expansion into different communities continues to expose these societies to negatives and benefits that internet presence. The internet has numerous benefits if not well managed the effects may be worse devastating. The security and privacy of internet users are always at risk; most people give out this information without knowledge of what they pose. Therefore, there should be awareness and users allowed to choose what information and who can have to access it. Additionally, formulation of proper policies will not help save the situation if other factors are not addressed going into the future. These factors include; adequate implementation of infrastructure as well as solving corruption cases. However, unless these challenges are addressed digital inclusiveness will remain an unachieved as some people avoid internet citing insecurity and privacy issues. Moreover, the trustworthy aspect of online services is more critical.

References

Bilke-Hentsch, O. (2017). SOMOSA-Medialab – 3 years of experience in severe pathological Internet use. Deutscher Suchtkongress 2017, 14(7), 432-559.

Carli, V. V., & Durkee, T. (2016). Pathological Use of the Internet. e-Mental Health, 2(9), 269-288.

Cowhey, P. F., & Aronson, J. D. (2017). Data Privacy. Oxford Scholarship Online, 15(5), 692-841.

Ekinci, B. (2014). The Relationship Between Problematic Internet Entertainment Use and Problem Solving Skills Among University Students. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 12(5), 607-617.

Martinovic, D., Ralevich, V., McDougall, J., & Perklin, M. (2014). “You are what you play”: Breaching privacy and identifying users in online gaming. 2014 Twelfth Annual International Conference on Privacy, Security and Trust, 18(16), 745-811.

Ritchie, M., Awal, D., & Eyeson, J. (2015). Availability of apicoectomy information online. Oral Surgery, 9(2), 102-106.

Rothwell, W. (2017). The Future of Marketing OD Consulting. Marketing Organization Development Consulting, 12(4), 189-196.

Zaidi, K., & Rajarajan, M. (2015). Vehicular Internet: Security & Privacy Challenges and Opportunities. Future Internet, 7(4), 257-275.