We have been relying on the internet a lot since it is a trove of knowledge that's easily accessible. It can provide answers without having to scour the library for the specific book that has the answers. But, like all things, they come with both the good and the bad.
Advantages
- Accessibility
As mentioned before, the internet provides us with easier access to information, and information is the key component of education. With an internet connection, students can use various devices to access what they need online.
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- Communication
Learning can come in many forms, and most of the time, people do so by communicating with others. Through the internet, most will not be limited within their community. They can browse through social networking sites and communicate with other students from other places without having to resort to letters or telephone calls, as mentioned in HiTech Whizz.
- Inclusivity
Not everyone has the means to attend school. Some cannot fit it into their budget while others may not have schools near them. Luckily, there are tons of educational content that can be found on the internet, ranging from e-books, study plans, video lessons on YouTube, and so on.
- Job Opportunities
Some of the young people who are eager to attend school look for jobs to earn enough to pay for what they will need. While others get jobs in fast food chains or other small businesses, they are many opportunities readily available on the internet where they can work from home. Some are even decent enough that it won't take much to earn.
- Availability
Although some of the information online can be found behind a paywall, you'll be surprised just how much of it is free for all. Information is available to you with just a few taps, and some of them you might not even find in your local area. The availability of information is a significant advantage in the academic field.
Read Also : 8 Internet Browsing Habits You Should Avoid
Disadvantages
- Unreliability
One of the downsides of the internet is that not all of it is factual. Sometimes, you'll need to go through steps to verify whether the source is credible or not. Misinformation and disinformation have been an issue until now, so you'll have to make sure that you're taking in correct information.
- Distraction
Unfortunately for those who can be easily distracted, the amount of content you can find on the internet might pull away your focus. The same place you can find educational videos is also where you can watch other non-academic content. The same goes for search engines and other sites.
- Cheating
This has been a common thing since the internet has become a part of education. Students who prefer not to do their homework or other activities would resort to plagiarism, which is copy-pasting content online and submitting it as their own. With ChatGPT, it's even harder to detect them now.
- Privacy Issues
Sometimes, students will have to submit personal information like phone numbers, names, and emails in order to access a site that has academic content. This could potentially put their private information at risk of being stolen, especially if they do not know how to properly protect their private data.
- Adult Content
As mentioned before, the internet can be used for educational purposes, but not exclusively. Students who will be likely underaged might gain access to sites with adult content, as mentioned in TechStonz. This can be harmful to young students who are not mature enough to see such content.
