Introduction
I have selected the topic of “Society, Politics, and Internet.” The reason for researching this subject is to examine the impact of modern technologies on personal interaction and civic engagement in society. With the growing influence of digital communication and online communities on social media platforms, it is crucial to understand the role of the internet in shaping social behaviors and political views. The study will use at least three-course readings and two peer-reviewed journals written by experts in the field to give a comprehensive insight into modern technologies’ positive and negative effects on society. The internet has transformed how people engage in social and political life. However, it poses challenges, such as privacy risks and misinformation.
Annotated Bibliography
Andrews, L. (2012). George Orwell meet Mark Zuckerberg. In I know who you are and I saw what you did: Social networks and the death of privacy (pp. 17-31). Simon and Schuster.
The excerpt highlights how modern technologies continue to erode personal privacy and autonomy. Andrews argues that corporations, such as Google and Facebook, engage in constant surveillance, where users’ private data are collected and stored. This enables these tech giants to shape online users’ experiences and manipulate their behavior. The article may interest individuals concerned with digital privacy and surveillance. Therefore, this source will be used to illustrate the risks posed by the internet.
Burbach, L., Halbach, P., Ziefle, M., & Calero Valdez, A. (2020). Opinion formation on the internet: The influence of personality, network structure, and content on sharing messages online. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 3, 45. Web.
Burbach et al.’s article highlights how online platforms enable users to interact with their peers and access vast data on significant issues. Twitter and Facebook are now integrated into people’s daily lives. While staying in contact with friends and searching for data, users are no longer just passive recipients of information on social media but are also actively disseminating their own views. This source is credible because the authors are research analysts in human-computer interaction and have published other related works. The journals may be of interest to policymakers and professionals who are interested in the role of digital media in communication. This article relates to the study by Gil de Zúñiga and Chen (2019) because it shows how Twitter strongly influences political decisions.
Gil de Zúñiga, H., & Chen, H.-T. (2019). Digital media and politics: Effects of the great information and communication divides. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 63(3), 365–373. Web.
The research explores how the internet spearheads political activism by influencing various political engagements. Social media platforms have become tools for the coordination and mobilization of like-minded individuals and for sharing information, spurring them to participate in mass actions. The internet is also shown to facilitate the spread of misinformation, especially during national elections. The article is credible because its publication platform is a peer-reviewed scientific journal. This source will show how the internet provides new avenues for political engagement, enabling citizens to organize and mobilize in ways that were impossible before. The intended audience of this article is likely to be researchers and students in the fields of communication, political science, and related disciplines.
Jin, H. (2010). The bane of the internet. In A good fall (pp. 5-6). Vintage International.
The text is about two sisters, one living in the United States and the other in China. The siblings used to write letters to each other via the postal system, which used to take days or even weeks for them to receive the message. However, when they started to use email, communication became instant, faster, and cost-effective. The narrative also shows the bane of modern communication technologies on relationships and how they can make it harder to disconnect from family and cultural expectations. This excerpt appears to be aimed at general readers interested in literature and the impact of technology on society.
Seife, C. (2015). The loneliness of the interconnected. In Virtual unreality: The new era of digital deception (pp. 61-77). Penguin.
The author shows how technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing interconnectedness. The article cautions that while the internet has made it easier for individuals to connect, they should be mindful of its potential downsides because some users can feel lonely and isolated, jeopardizing their chances of cultivating real-world relationships. Seife argues that technology-mediated connections lack the authenticity and depth of in-person interactions. Additionally, online communication platforms can be addictive, creating a sense of compulsive checking and a fear of missing out on the latest trends. This source can be used to show how technology can impact people’s emotional well-being.
Summary
Over the decades, the internet has significantly revolutionized how individuals work, live, and interact. It has influenced many aspects of life, including communication, education, entertainment, and politics (Burbach et al., 2020). The Internet has also promoted cultural exchanges and significantly contributed to economic development. However, it presents several challenges that need to be mitigated to ensure individuals’ safety. Although the internet has become an integral part of society and politics, it has far-reaching adversities to users.
The Positive Impacts of the Internet
The internet has greatly boosted communication and improved social connections. People can use text messages, emails, and social media platforms to pass information to one another and get immediate responses, making communication faster and more convenient (Jin, 2010). The internet has also enabled the creation of online chat rooms where individuals with similar agendas and interests connect and share ideas about diverse issues (Gil de Zúñiga & Chen, 2019). Such digital forums have allowed social groups to engage in political matters and formulate ways to mobilize reforms. Equally, the internet has allowed politicians to interact with their supporters through social media pages and get their opinions on various topics that may impact policymaking (Gil de Zúñiga & Chen, 2019). By communicating their ideologies to the public, these leaders can amass huge followership, shaping politics and election outcomes. Thus, the internet increases people’s social networks, offering opportunities for exchanging ideas and decreasing incidences of isolation.
The widespread use of the internet has significantly improved information access. The internet assists its users in retrieving and acquiring data from a broad range of sources, including websites and blogs (Burbach et al., 2020). Through this, individuals may amass in-depth knowledge about diverse topics. In addition, easy access to information has assisted many individuals in learning new skills, increasing their self-dependence (Andrews, 2012). Similarly, the internet has enabled people to stay informed on various trends, such as sports and weather (Burbach et al., 2020). As a result, individuals no longer have to watch the news to be updated about these issues; instead, they make follow-ups on the relevant websites or social media. Furthermore, the use of a person’s search history to tailor data based on their interests has increased people’s awareness of national issues, creating an ardent support base for different legislators or parties, hence shaping policymaking and election outcomes (Seife, 2015). Thus, the internet has increased the accessibility to a wide range of information, keeping individuals well-informed on different subjects.
The Negative Impacts of the Internet
Although the internet is a crucial source of information, it may also be used to propagate misinformation. Once a piece of news is shared online through Twitter or Facebook, it is difficult to evaluate its authenticity (Gil de Zúñiga & Chen, 2019). Social media avenues can be manipulated to disseminate false information rapidly through likes, shares, and comments, making them seem real. In addition, the internet offers a stage where individuals can publish damaging content anonymously, causing sharp divisions and misunderstandings (Gil de Zúñiga & Chen, 2019). For instance, fabricated information about a political issue may cause polarization among the public, creating a mistrust of the government or leaders. Moreover, the internet has allowed the existence of echo chambers where individuals prefer to consume only the data that supports or confirms their existing beliefs or prejudices (Seife, 2015). This may result in the dissemination of fake information due to the lack of exposure to other perspectives or credible sources. Generally, the propagation of misinformation can damage the reputation of individuals, leaders, and businesses.
The use of the internet allows the tracking of individuals’ online activities, which infringes on their privacy. The internet has enabled websites to gather and monitor users’ data without permission (Andrews, 2012). For instance, cookies and tracking pixels embedded on web pages allow websites to monitor a user’s online behavior, including the sites they visit and the time spent. Similarly, social media channels trace individuals’ online actions to generate personalized advertisements and content (Andrews, 2012). The internet also allows data brokers to collect users’ data from social media, website visits, and online purchases and, in turn, sell the information to third parties to market their products. Although most online tracking is used to create personalized advertisements and content, this personalized data can also be utilized for nefarious activities, such as fraud or identity theft (Andrews, 2012). Therefore, the internet raises privacy concerns and may promote criminal activities such as fraud.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the internet has both positive and adverse effects on society and politics. The benefits of the Internet include improving communication and promoting interconnectedness. The internet has boosted social and political ties among people with similar preferences, beliefs, and ideas. Additionally, it has offered various sources, such as websites and blogs, from which individuals can retrieve crucial information. Nevertheless, the internet provides a platform for disseminating false data, which may cause grave harm to individuals, governments, and businesses. It has also enabled websites and data brokers to secretly access users’ personal information for marketing purposes, violating their privacy. Thus, there is a need for more regulation to mitigate the risks associated with internet use.