essay about the internet is a double edged weapon

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The Internet is a double-edged sword

Every great technological leap is a double-edged sword that brings positive and negative changes to society. In other words, what goes for fire also goes for the Internet. The Internet is a powerful tool of communication and education, especially for the young, but it can have undesirable side effects. It can get some children hooked. This by-product of the great technological revolution must be dealt with by raising awareness of the problem among the young. Classes on preventing such adverse effects should be taught within the context of IT classes in schools. Addiction and the criminal rings that take advantage of young people suffering from it should top the agenda. And the only way to deal with the problem is through education in schools.

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Researching the sharp edges of the Internet's double-edged sword

Editor, writer and strategist

Social media and an open Internet are seen by activists around the globe as tools for democracy, empowering disenfranchised communities, and social change. But in countries across Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, the power of digital communications can be a double-edged sword.

Technology as a force for repression (not just change) is a primary subject of Katy Pearce’s research. Pearce is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington. Her research covers social and political uses of technologies and digital content in non-democratic contexts, specifically in the semi- and fully-authoritarian states of the former Soviet Union.

On Thursday, June 5th, Katy Pearce is speaking at Personal Democracy Forum  (PDF) about a double-edged sword: the use of social media to suppress activism in Azerbaijan (a nation in which she focuses her research) and other parts of the world. She is also participating in the From Memes to Movements panel.

We caught up with Katy to find more about her work, what she’s speaking about at PDF and its implications for campaigners and international social change groups.

Give our readers a quick taste of your research and what you’ll be talking about at Personal Democracy Forum.

Being a dictator today is harder than it used to be. You have to be more subtle. You don’t, for instance, barge in and shut down Radio Free Europe, you audit its books. Today’s authoritarian (or authoritarian minded) government relies on subtle bureaucratic ways to limit people. An accessible Internet open up all sorts of subtle routes to suppression.

You’re speaking at PDF as part of a segment titled “The Internet’s Double Edged Sword.” Can you say more about how you see that double edge operating?

In the course of our research, I and others in this field like Zeynep Tufekci and Emily Parker see first-hand how governments use the Internet. All the powers that make the Internet and social media good for action are same things that make it powerful for authoritarian regimes.

The Azerbaijani regime, for example, has taken tech and social media and is using it against dissent — it’s using technology to suppress people in very creative ways. Activists in the West use memes effectively online. The government in Azerbaijan is using memes in a similar way to raise public pressure against dissent.

It’s great that people can use social media tools to organize others but governments can also use the same tools as a way of intelligence gathering. Governments are really winning a lot.

Those of us studying this end up having to fight against the cyber utopians as far as the potential of the Internet to be a large causal factor in social movements and collective action.

How might a more restrictive digital communications/Internet play role in organizing for sustainable change or movement building?

That depends on what we mean by “sustainable?” Is Azerbaijan doing short term change well online? No. But there could be big long term changes that are harder to measure.

Preference revelation is an example of what social media enables in a country like Azerbaijan. Recently, a man came out publicly as gay (Azerbaijan has a strong anti-homosexual culture, it’s believed). This individual committed suicide after coming out and left a note behind online that others could read and share.

A surprising number of people responded online supporting this man . Social media gives people a place to see and share opinions they didn’t realize others had. I imagine that these sorts of experiences are exposing more Azerbaijanis to societal norms. Core values are barriers to change. It’s a “little a” authoritarian society. Authoritarianism is a cultural value that leads to BIG A authoritarianism. Facebook exposes people to new information and new ways of sharing information and opinions. Over time this can be powerful.

On your website you describe work on “context collapse.” Can you describe/explain context collapse and what it’s implications might be for organizing communications?

Context collapse is something that we all experience. Your childhood friend makes a joke about 4th grade on Facebook and all your current coworkers see it. Without social media the networks in our lives don’t come together. People react to that in different ways: some people don’t get on social media; some don’t post anything controversial; some use privacy settings.

Context collapse gives activists and dissidents a lot to think about when writing about work. You might have a large online following as an anti-government activist but meanwhile you’re talking to an embassy and you don’t want followers to know.

I suspect that activists in authoritarian environments that are using social media in their work are taking different kinds of strategies than you or I would. This summer, we’ll be interviewing Azerbaijanis about the strategies people take.

If all organizing (not just awareness building) relies on insecure digital communications then can we organize at all?

In Azerbaijan, people go to jail for things they READ on the Internet each week. Kids there went to jail for doing the Harlem Shake and being members of a Facebook group.

People don’t really organize in Azerbaijan. 2013 saw the biggest protest since 2006. A lot of people were swiftly arrested.

But there are other forms of organizing. In Azerbaijan there was a “ 5 cent campaign ” to raise money for people arrested in these protests. Later, a law against online fundraising was passed in Parliament. Even when we look at people getting around things, the law can change quickly. There are laws about what news sites can look like – how wide the margins must be and so on. People can use technology to do great things but in many places the government makes information sharing very hard.

Tell us about humor as a form of dissent – it’s something you’ve been examining.

Humor can be tool of dissent. It’s salient and viral. The Internet gives us a culture of memes, jokes, and funny videos. Humor is a big part of activist work. I’ve been looking at how governments and others are using humor/memes as a way to suppress. They’re anonymous, cheap and spread easily. Everything good about humor and memes in activism can also be bad if used the right way.

Is this “double edged sword” visible in the West?

In Turkey, the Mayor of Istanbul is very active in this sort of method. In Russia, pro-government youth groups are active. Of course, it’s harder to tie this behavior to them because it’s a more open environment.

My takeaway is that all the good of tech can be flipped back at us. We love free speech but that also means people we don’t agree with. Internet is a great resource for hate groups, too. Be aware that internet can be used in different.

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The Internet is a Double-Edged Sword

Beware of the spread of misinformation

Natalia Chairez | November 16, 2021

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Society has never failed to become a victim of the infamous spread of misinformation. The rapid changes in our media consumption have only made audiences more gullible, despite what we know now. If anything it’s gotten much easier to get people caught in the mousetrap.

This is true for people with big or evolving platforms. Today’s generation of active social media presence tends to consist of Gen Z and millennials, which have seen the transformation in online media literacy and societal norms. With the change in generational values came the transition of internet culture. TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube have been the main crime scenes of the dumpster fire that is the impact of the internet.

Before delving into the negative sides of the internet, it’s crucial to understand what led up to this point. If you were born between the 90s to 2000s, the internet was your stuffed animal. It became an important aspect of growing up. You were the generation that began the phenomenon of vlogging and putting your life online. You were also the generation of kids who shouldn’t have had access to a Facebook account at 10 years old.

The internet became a whole new world where people became more informed and opinionated. It became the norm to invest in the lives of others for entertainment and an escape from our own. The line between what goes online and what stays to ourselves went from a definitive line to a fading blur.

Whether it’s the discussion of politics, social issues, pop culture, sports, and other big current events in general, the internet loves to talk. There’s a facilitation for people to have an opinion about something happening in the world and post about it for their followers to see. You don’t have to be this big influencer or celebrity anymore. That’s where it gets complicated.

While there are many—and I mean many instances where the internet was the cause of misinformation, there’s one I want to bring attention to. Whether you watch the news or not, you may have heard of the disappearance of Gabby Petito. She was a 22-year-old girl who documented her life and travels online on a blog including her “van life” adventures with her fiance Brian Laundrie. The media began suspecting him with involvement in Gabby’s disappearance after released police body cam footage suspecting of domestic assault. There was also evidence of Laundrie arriving at his family’s home in Petito’s van without her in it. It’s easy to assume something wasn’t right.

Just like many other cases of disappearance that’ve gone widely reported, the involvement from social media was an integral part in the investigation. With users on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram witnessing a live case unfold in front of them, many took the opportunity to become invested in the case. For the most part people did so with good intent. They want to help and get justice for the girl. There have been donations to GoFundMe , spreading awareness on the case, sending support to her family .

In a recent press conference, Petito’s family thanked social media’s help with the case saying, “I don’t want to dismiss the ridiculously hard work that the FBI and law enforcement all around did, but social media has been amazing and very influential. And to be honest, it should continue for other people too [ … ]”

But of course, there were also people whose intentions weren’t so great.

Some became so invested to the point where they spoke about it like it was something entertaining. Some even went as far as making “ psychic ” videos on their predictions on the case, which were usually inaccurate and caused more turmoil with who and what to believe.

TikTok user KellyTheMagicalMedium says, “I did not do a lot of research on this [ … ] This is not truth, this is just the visions that I’ve had [ … ] I do feel like he did have a hot temper, but I don’t feel like he would’ve purposely killed her in a way in his logical mind.”

It’s safe to say that audiences didn’t respond well to this.

It became difficult to distinguish who was helping and who wasn’t. It caused audiences to not know what to believe and took credibility away from actual tips and new information from witnesses and state officials. It also demonstrates how many people lack empathy and respect.

Without the help of the internet there might not have been as much coverage in her case as there was. However it’s important to remember the impact words and misinformation can have outside of a screen. These are real people’s lives, not your source of entertainment and gossip. We may not be so easily gullible to believe internet scams like in earlier years, but have we really gotten better?

Have we as a society really been able to advance in our media literacy and impact of what happens on the internet? To be honest, it’s hard to tell.

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Social Media and Democracy – A Double-Edged Sword?

by Haryati Abdul Karim

December 04, 2018

One of the most profound effects of social media on society is undoubtedly the extent to which it has become a tool of empowerment for ordinary citizens to determine their future lives. Social life today is characterized by Internet activism, in which people from all walks of life can easily be involved via the smartphones in the palms of their hands. It certainly paves the way for citizens to participate and engage more freely in public discussions about their country and the world outside while remaining relatively anonymous. This is especially valuable in countries where freedom of expression is not a culture or norm.

Malaysia is no exception to this new development. Today, Malaysians use social media religiously to express themselves on all kinds of issues, as never before. It has become habitual for them to post comments, share or upload on their social media accounts videos and websites on issues that they feel strongly about, and start an online discussion among friends. Social media such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are all very popular among Malaysians. But Facebook tops it all, with about 81% of Malaysians using Facebook, of which almost 90% access it via smartphone.

The extent to which the social media have actually “liberated” Malaysians can simply be seen by how vocal they are in openly expressing their views about the government and issues that are deemed sensitive, such as religion and ethnicity, despite the existence of laws restricting such discussions. This forms a healthy and vibrant atmosphere for people to get involved in national issues that affect them. Apart from politics, social media also enable Malaysians to express and carve out a hybrid global-local identity.

In countries where the state has strong control of the media, whether through direct media ownership or through legislation, channels of communication for alternative views have become limited. Hence, people are forced to go underground via the new media. Social media is found to be much more effective compared to alternative news portals in shaping public opinion. An instance of this was in the Arab Spring where channels of communication were severely limited and the public had lost trust in the government and the mainstream media. Social media became the only source of information for the people, and also a space where they could express their views.

In Malaysia, social media contributed to what has been termed as the political tsunami during the 2008 general election, which saw the hegemony of the National Coalition (Barisan Nasional or BN) government slowly crumble. BN’s political opponent, then known as Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan or PH), continued underground since it was being excluded from the mainstream media. Social media became a tool for PH’s cybertroopers and strong supporters to propagate their views to the people. Using their Facebook fan pages, thorny issues like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), high cost of living, and purported corrupt practices of the BN government were highlighted systematically. This led to a discussion among the citizens and created a public sphere. Bloggers who were strong supporters of the Alliance used their blogs to shape public opinion in their favor. In the recently-concluded fourteenth general election, WhatsApp began to be used as a campaign tool in addition to Twitter and Facebook. Unlike Facebook, WhatsApp reaches individuals personally. A public sphere was created among individuals within their WhatsApp chat group to discuss PH’s campaign messages. It was perhaps this very well-orchestrated campaign strategy where PH focused on specific issues and communicated it repeatedly that saw it overthrow the 61-year-old BN government. BN was slow in turning to the social media, as it controlled the mainstream media. The outcome of PH’s communication strategy was that it won 113 Parliament seats out of 222, while BN only managed to secure 79 seats in the May 9, 2018 election.

When it comes to the question of social media, press freedom, and democracy, social media is a double-edged sword. While it opens more doors for freedom of expression and self-empowerment, it also paves the way for fake news to be created and go viral. Fake news has become a major issue among Malaysians. In the recent general election, voters were inundated with fake news rather than with authentic news reports in the social media. With fake news distorting information to perfection, it ultimately denies citizens the right to know the truth. The overreliance on social media as the sole source of information further contributed to the thriving of fake news because citizens rarely cross-check facts. The government’s attempt to address the issue by passing the Anti-Fake News Act in 2018 failed to clearly define what constituted “fake” when it came to news. In any case, the Act appears short-lived, as the new government has announced its intention to repeal it.

Another threat that social media poses now is when the political fanaticism of supporters of the dominant class reigns over other views in cyberspace. Those with alternative positions are subject to cyberbullying, so much so that it demotivates them from participating in democratic discussion, while others are traumatized by the hostile response from political fanatics. Even if some of the points raised are sound, political fanatics rally together and condemn such users with vulgarity, denying their right and freedom to express their opinion. This lack of civility and rationality at the level of ordinary people douses their spirit to engage in a healthy discussion of public issues.

For the social media to become an effective tool for true democracy, civility and media literacy must first become a norm and culture among citizens. Citizens must be made to understand the meaning of rational communication. Only then can genuine reformation of the nation take place through exchange of ideas.

Haryati Abdul Karim , Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Malaysia < [email protected] >

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The double-edged sword

I believe that the Internet is one of the major feats of human endeavour. As it enables the instant and almost free transmission of data, it holds the power to connect, educate and entertain billions. How easy it is to follow a course at MIT, Skype to colleagues in Japan, conduct a worldwide business, or even find the perfect partner – all at marginal cost. Now this powerful network has reared it’s ugly head against us as it can store, analyse, classify and corrupt all our on-line activities without us even knowing.

This frightening fact, so early predicted by some , changes the nature of the game. The Internet, once confined to large computers and wires, has become ubiquitous and will, before long, spawn all activities, on-line and off. Our phones and laptops are equipped to record text, sound, voice and location, and since we carry them everywhere these little eyes and ears have infested the realm of our whole life. At the same time they are so convenient and seductive that we will not get rid of them any time soon.

Recently much attention was paid to Apps that tacitly collect users data in exchange for (almost) free functionality. However, this is nothing compared to what states can do with their unlimited power and ability to wrought or bend the laws. In the name of safety and the protection of our freedom, they destroy what they are bound to secure. By their acts, they effectively kill the private sphere, as was done in (former) communist states - and who would want to live there. 

Since last week we know that whoever thinks there is one state that is not actively pushing these new possibilities is wrong. Thanks to the extraordinary act of courage by Edward Snowden, who sacrificed his life to alarm us, we have another proof of the extent and the intentions of the governments we mostly trust.

So what can we do? I see several options. Get off the grid, like some people have done ? This is extremely difficult and requires ever increasing sacrifices. Massively mislead the system by sending false or contradictory information? As the analysing powers increase at lightning speed, this is a race we cannot win, and dangerous to the individual too. Build alternative technical infrastructures that are immune to tinkering? This will bring only temporary relief, as the nature of the state is currently set at total control. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The only option I see is pressing our legal representatives to combat the status quo. There is no such thing as a risk-free society, and the rights of individuals to privacy demand to be safeguarded. Our governments should be checked much more than they currently are, especially in the field of security and surveillance. We have to know how often the system is employed, what it's results are, at what cost - and how this interferes with human basic rights. 9-11 has opened the black box of the control state, now it is time to inspect it and gently close it, while we still can.

This is not a dark story. As with all technology, the Internet is a double-edged sword that can be used for the good and for the bad, and mostly both at the same time. With the proper caution, determination and mindset, it will stay the boon for society that it was intended to be. Since we all have a lot to lose, let’s help to keep it that way.

• Frank Kresin

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Essay on Technology Is a Double Edged Sword

Students are often asked to write an essay on Technology Is a Double Edged Sword in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Technology Is a Double Edged Sword

Introduction.

Technology is a tool that can be used for good or bad. It’s like a double-edged sword. On one hand, it makes our lives easier. On the other, it can also cause problems.

Benefits of Technology

Drawbacks of technology.

However, technology can also be harmful. It can be addictive, cause health problems, and lead to privacy issues. It can also make us lazy.

So, technology is a double-edged sword. We must use it wisely to enjoy its benefits and avoid its drawbacks.

250 Words Essay on Technology Is a Double Edged Sword

The dual nature of technology, technology as a catalyst for progress.

Technology is undeniably a force for good. It is the engine that powers advancements in various fields. In medicine, it has led to life-saving innovations like MRI machines and telemedicine. In education, it has democratized access to knowledge, bridging gaps in learning opportunities.

The Dark Side of Technology

However, the same technology can also be a source of harm. The advent of digital technology has brought about issues like cybercrime, data breaches, and privacy invasion. Furthermore, technology can widen socio-economic disparities, as not everyone has equal access to these advancements.

Striking a Balance

The key lies in striking a balance. We must harness the power of technology to drive progress, while also mitigating its potential harm. This requires a combination of ethical considerations, robust regulations, and education to ensure responsible use.

In conclusion, technology, like a double-edged sword, has both benefits and drawbacks. It is our responsibility to wield this sword wisely, shaping our future in a way that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the harm. The challenge and opportunity of our generation is to navigate this complex landscape, leveraging technology as a tool for positive change.

500 Words Essay on Technology Is a Double Edged Sword

Technology is an integral part of our daily lives, shaping our society in ways unimaginable a few decades ago. However, it is a double-edged sword, offering both immense benefits and significant drawbacks. This essay explores the multifaceted nature of technology, highlighting its potential to both drive progress and pose risks.

The Bright Side of Technology

Moreover, technology has transformed communication, fostering global connectivity. Through social media platforms and video conferencing tools, people can connect with others across the globe instantaneously, fostering cultural exchange and understanding. Similarly, technology has revolutionized the business sector, enabling e-commerce and remote work, thus expanding economic opportunities and enhancing productivity.

Despite the numerous benefits, technology also presents significant challenges. One of the most pressing is the issue of privacy. With the proliferation of digital platforms, personal data is often at risk, leading to potential misuse and infringement of privacy. Additionally, the increased reliance on technology has led to a rise in cybercrime, with individuals and institutions becoming targets of hacking, identity theft, and online fraud.

Moreover, technology has given rise to a new form of addiction – screen addiction. Excessive screen time has been linked to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, particularly among the younger generation. Furthermore, while technology has made communication easier, it has also made it impersonal, leading to a decline in face-to-face interactions and potentially fostering feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Technology and the Environment

In conclusion, technology is indeed a double-edged sword. It has the power to transform societies, improve lives, and drive economic growth. However, it also poses significant challenges related to privacy, mental health, and the environment. As we continue to embrace technology, it is crucial to strike a balance, leveraging its benefits while mitigating its drawbacks. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including policymakers, technologists, and users, to ensure responsible and sustainable use of technology.

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Please note you do not have access to teaching notes, terrorism and the internet: a double‐edged sword.

Journal of Money Laundering Control

ISSN : 1368-5201

Article publication date: 11 October 2011

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the extent of the use of the internet by terrorist organisations to achieve their strategic and operational objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology adopted consisted of an extensive literature review on topics to include Islamic terrorism, cyber crime, globalisation, and financial crime, supported by field work to verify findings.

Al‐Qaeda has become a radical Islamic phenomenon held together through its global network of communities, both virtual and physical. One significant enabler has been the internet, which enables anonymous communication, aids recruitment, encourages the sharing of knowledge, as well as playing a significant role in the spreading of propaganda. The understanding of the use of internet‐based technologies, not only as a potential target for terrorist attack, but as a tool to achieve its ideological and operational goals, remains a neglected area of study requiring further focus.

Originality/value

This paper serves as a useful guide to alert and educate counter‐terrorism professionals, law enforcement and policy makers of the significance of the extent of the use of the internet for purposes such as operational planning, recruitment, psychological operations and fund raising. It is essential that these subjects should not be viewed as a peripheral issue to cyber‐terrorism, but instead, should be considered to be central to the existing counter‐terrorism effort.

• Globalization
• Internet technology
• Risk assessment
• Psychological operations

Keene, S.D. (2011), "Terrorism and the internet: a double‐edged sword", Journal of Money Laundering Control , Vol. 14 No. 4, pp. 359-370. https://doi.org/10.1108/13685201111173839

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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Is the internet a double-edged sword for organizations? An empirical study on cyberloafing

• Published: 04 January 2023

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• Muddassar Sarfraz   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6165-732X 1 ,
• Kausar Fiaz Khawaja 2 &
• Um-e-Farwah 2  

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Cyberloafing is common in today's organizational environment, where employees utilize the organization's internet during working hours for personal use. Based on the need to investigate what makes employees engage in such deviant behavior, this study investigates the influence of technology self-efficacy on cyberloafing with consideration for the mediating role of internet addiction and moderating role of three neutralization techniques. Hence, four hypotheses were proposed and statistically tested. Data were collected at three different periods from 334 employees of telecommunication companies in Pakistan. The study's findings revealed that internet addiction mediates the relationship between technology self-efficacy and cyberloafing by utilizing the PROCESS approach for mediation and moderation. Furthermore, denial of responsibility and defense of necessity is positively related to cyberloafing. Lastly, neutralization techniques moderate the relationship between internet addiction and cyberloafing.

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Sarfraz, M., Khawaja, K.F. & Um-e-Farwah Is the internet a double-edged sword for organizations? An empirical study on cyberloafing. Inf Technol Manag (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10799-022-00385-5

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