Topic > The Internet and Child Development - 810

Because the Internet is such a vast source of information, it's really easy to think that you can find everything you need in one place. We have web search engines like "Google" and "Bing" full of links that can take you to any website that contains the information you are looking for. Without knowing how to properly search the Internet, children may mistake Internet articles for truth when they may not be entirely related to what they are looking for. They might even come across articles that don't even apply to what they're actually looking for. There are many websites on the Internet that appear to contain accurate information, but their credibility does not shine through so clearly. Wikipedia is a good example of an unaccredited website. Although it is an encyclopedia with a huge amount of information, it may not all be true. Wikipedia is a website open for everyone to alter information and could risk using any type of information as factual. Children may mistake it for a good resource, but they may not know it. Children should learn not only to use the Internet as a source, but also to use other sources such as an encyclopedia or newspaper. If a child is working on a research paper, what if they don't have access to a computer? How would they continue to find information along the way? Learning to do research before turning to the Internet for help is the best option and they can later learn to use the Internet accurately. Computers were created and developed to make everyday life a little more efficient and easier. One program that is always used is Microsoft Word. It is a program that helps you type documents, correct what you write and much more, all in... half a sheet of paper... in the most used social sites after Facebook and finally hundreds of other social networks it has become popular like Instagram and Vine. In short, social media is a place where you can expose yourself to audiences all over the world and tell your story through a computer screen. Meeting new people and friends has been the main reason for social media, but with new people brings not so nice users to the internet. They are known as “trolls”. “Trolls are anonymous Internet users who intentionally provoke others by writing inflammatory posts.” (ABC News) When you expose yourself on the Internet, you are putting people who criticize you at risk and giving trolls the opportunity to exploit you and cyberbully with mean, hurtful comments. Some people can handle the heat, but there are children who are very affected by these mean comments they make.