Riego de Dios, Neil Jocas

2 FSM 2

INTERNET

I. Introduction

The Internet is among the most significant technical innovations of the

contemporary era. The World Wide Web, sometimes just called the "web" or the
"WWW," has had a significant impact on how people interact, communicate, and
access information. Its introduction in the 1990s has become a turning point in
technology history and the beginning of a new era of transnational knowledge sharing
and interconnectedness.

The effects of it can be seen in businesses that are booming from the benefits
of the internet by reaching a wider audience and making remote work possible.
Personally, the internet has propagated social media platforms that redefine human
connections, allowing users to share their lives and perspectives globally. All things
considered, the Internet has completely changed the way we live.

II. Body

Historical Context

In 1960, the first traced of Internet was developed. It is a time when there is a
rapid advancement of computer technology and the researchers are in need to
communicate effectively with each other.

The ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) has been the
initial development of the internet in 1969 through US Department of Defense funding.
This has caused the organization to create a technology for seamless communication
and transactions. (R, 2006)

ARPANET's original purpose in the 1970s was to facilitate secure

communication between academic institutions and the military. (Jerry et al., 1998)
These early networks primarily served academic and research institutions, with limited
accessibility to the general public.

As a result of ARPANET's shortcomings, users were moved to NSFNET and

the network was eventually shut down, placing the NSF in charge of the Internet. After
the Internet was eventually privatized, it became possible to conduct social, business,
and recreational activities.

It has said that the ARPANET has impacted the view of computers from being
arithmetic devices to communication devices. Hauben (2007) has stated that the
success of the internet cannot be seen on the technical side but in human impact.
Such that there is a whole new way for people to communicate. This led to the
formation of the World Wide Web, which made the Internet a global platform. (Bakshi,
2023)
 The World Wide Web concept was created in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee, a
British computer scientist. His idea is to build a system that would make it easier for
scientists to communicate and work together more effectively. (Wright, 1997).
The egalitarian tenets of the Web and cooperative efforts have allowed it to become
widely integrated into daily life, but assaults to its fundamental values are now coming
from a variety of sources. (Lee & Berners, 2010)
This proposal laid the groundwork for the creation of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP), which would regulate the exchange of data between linked computers, and
the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), which would define the structure and content
of web pages.

Technological Details

The foundation of the Internet is made up of a number of essential

technologies and protocols that guarantee its effectiveness. The TCP/IP protocols,
which manage data transmission and addressing, constitute the foundation of this
system. While IP handles packet addressing and routing, TCP is in charge of
guaranteeing data transmission reliability. Information can move seamlessly between
several networks because to this combination.

The Internet is made more user-friendly by the Domain Name System (DNS).
DNS allows consumers to access websites without having to memorize complicated
IP addresses by translating human-readable domain names (such as
www.example.com) into numerical addresses.

In line with this, Web pages are requested and transferred via HTTP via the
World Wide Web (WWW), which functions as an application layer on top of the
Internet. While web browsers translate and present this content to users, HTML offers
the structure for producing and organizing web content. An important part of the Web's
popularity and accessibility for a wider audience was contributed by early web
browsers like Mosaic and Netscape Navigator.

Because there is so much material on the Internet, search engines have

become a necessary tool for finding it. Web material is indexed and retrieved by search
engines such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo through sophisticated algorithms that are
triggered by user requests. For accurate and helpful search results, these algorithms
take into account a number of variables, including relevance, page quality, and user
interaction.

Moreover, the introduction of broadband Internet, which offers faster data

transmission and better connectivity than dial-up connections, is another significant
technological advancement. Applications requiring a lot of bandwidth, such online
gaming and streaming media, have grown easier thanks to broadband technologies
like fiber-optic connections, cable modems, and DSL internet access.

Societal Implications
The World Wide Web has had a profound impact on society in numerous ways.

1. Communication

Because of the internet, communication has been revolutionized by

exponentially increasing the number of users worldwide. Conventional means of
communication including long-distance phone calls and postal mail have been
supplanted by email, instant messaging, and video conferencing. Instantaneous
communication is facilitated by services such as Gmail, WhatsApp, and Zoom, which
cultivate both personal and business relationships. (Hillstrom, 2005)
Epstein (2011) stated that social interaction has undergone a transformation
due to social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Through these
platforms, individuals can interact with friends, share content, and take part in online
communities. Users may now stay up to date on trends and current events thanks to
social media's rapid information transmission capabilities. It has brought up issues with
misinformation spreading, privacy, and cyberbullying.

2. Information Access

The Internet has made information more accessible to a wider range of people
by giving people rapid access to a multitude of resources. Accessing and consuming
knowledge has been revolutionized by online encyclopedias, academic journals, and
news websites. Knowledge is more widely available to a worldwide audience because
to platforms like Wikipedia and Google Scholar, which provide invaluable resources
for study and research.

Traditional schooling has been altered by the abundance of internet learning

tools. Learners may attend top-notch courses from prestigious universities without
having to worry about cost or location thanks to Massive Open Online Courses
(MOOCs), including those provided by Coursera and edX. This has improved access
to education and promoted lifelong learning. (Mericelli, 2020)

3. Economic Impact

The growth of e-commerce in particular has had a major impact on the global
economy due to the Internet. Because they allow customers to buy products and
services from any location with an Internet connection, online shopping platforms like
Amazon and Alibaba have completely changed the retail industry. Traditional retail
methods have been affected by e-commerce, which has also offered new business
prospects.
An further significant trend in the economy is the gig economy, which is defined
by contract, freelance, and short-term labor made possible by internet platforms.
People can offer their services and find work on a flexible basis using platforms like
Upwork, Fiverr, and Uber. This has created new revenue prospects, but it has also
sparked questions about worker rights and job security.

4. Social Interaction

The Internet has transformed social interaction, fostering new forms of

engagement and community-building. Online forums, social networking sites, and
virtual worlds enable users to connect with others who share similar interests and
experiences. This has facilitated the formation of diverse online communities, from
hobbyist groups to support networks.

However, the shift towards online social interaction has also led to concerns
about social isolation and the impact of digital interactions on mental health. Studies
have indicated that excessive use of social media may contribute to issues such as
anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

5. Political and Social Activism

The Internet has become a powerful tool for political and social activism.
Online platforms enable individuals and organizations to mobilize support, raise
awareness, and advocate for change. Notable examples include the Arab Spring,
where social media played a critical role in organizing protests and driving political
change in the Middle East.

Digital activism has also facilitated movements for social justice, such as Black
Lives Matter and #MeToo. These movements have leveraged online platforms to
amplify their messages, organize events, and engage with a global audience. While
digital activism has increased visibility for important issues, it has also faced
challenges related to misinformation, censorship, and online harassment.

6. Challenges and Concerns

Despite its numerous benefits, the Internet has introduced several challenges
and concerns. Cybersecurity threats, such as hacking, phishing, and ransomware
attacks, pose significant risks to individuals and organizations. Protecting sensitive
information and ensuring online safety have become critical priorities.

The spread of misinformation and fake news has emerged as a major concern.
The ease with which false information can be disseminated online has implications for
public opinion, trust in media, and democratic processes. Addressing misinformation
requires concerted efforts from technology companies, policymakers, and educators.

The digital divide remains a significant issue, as disparities in Internet access

and digital literacy persist across different regions and socioeconomic groups.
Ensuring equitable access to technology and addressing barriers to digital inclusion
are essential for achieving the full potential of the Internet.
 Challenges and Future Directions

Despite its many benefits, the World Wide Web also presents challenges.
Issues such as privacy, security, and digital divide remain significant concerns. The
digital divide refers to the unequal access to technology and the internet among
different groups of people. Efforts are underway to address these challenges and
ensure that the benefits of the web are accessible to everyone.

The future of the World Wide Web is likely to be characterized by continued

innovation and growth. The development of new technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality, will shape the way people interact
with the web. As the web continues to evolve, it is essential to consider its ethical
implications and ensure that it is used in a responsible and equitable manner.

III. Conclusion

An influential factor in human history has been the World Wide Web. Since it
first appeared, communication, teamwork, and information access have all undergone
significant changes. Despite its drawbacks, the internet has a lot of potential
advantages. Utilizing the web's capacity to build a more informed, connected, and
egalitarian world is crucial as we move to the future.

IV. References

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