Internet use: Has it brought more harm than good?

One of DiploFoundation elearning features is the interactivity among course participants. The online classrooms are private spaces for exchange, facilitated by a Diplo certified Tutor.

Here is an exchange that happened in the very first week in the IGCBP (Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme) 2010 ACP Africa D, tutored by Ulemu Nyasulu from Malawi.

One participant started a topic with a simple yet engaging question:


To that question, multiple views were expressed in this online space.

Most participants generally agree that the benefits of eGovernment services, access to knowledge and other facilities outweigh the risks, however the Internet cannot yet be trusted fully because of growing concerns on cybercrime, teen addiction and pornography. Yet, efforts should be put to universalization of services and access, particularly development goals.

Links were shared among the group, including the view that Internet access should be considered a fundamental right: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7397511/Four-in-five-bel... - this pointed to a paradox on hierarchy of needs and priorities, as famine, political oppression, sanitary infrastructure and other essential challenges are still to be properly addressed.

One participant further explained his answer saying that the Internet brought good for those whose minds were focused on doing good things, and that there are downsides in everything in life.

This led to the idea of technological neutrality was part of the debate and it was mentioned that the Internet itself cannot be judged as either good or bad, so that the examination should be on the user behavior.

One participant raised the concern that since there is currently a lack of local content for African communities make the Internet "yet another western influence on indigenous cultures." In his opinion, the "efforts and resources being spent on delivering expensive and low bandwidth internet services could be put into developing local community networks
that are more inclusive, supportive and representative of the
communities they are intended to help."

The above is a small synthesis of the rich discussion held in one of the Forum topics of the first week of the Internet Governance Capacity Building Programme - IGCBP 2010. What are your views on the question? Do you think Internet has brought more harm than good?