Internet and its Problems

However, there are some problems. The most important problem is security. When you send an e-mail, your message can travel through many different networks and computers. The data is constantly being directed towards its destination by special computers called routers. Because of this, it is possible to get into any of the computers along the route, intercept and even change the data being sent over the Internet. But there are many encoding programs available. Not withstanding, these programs are not perfect and can easily be cracked.

Another big and serious problem of the net is control. Yes, there is no effective control in the Internet, because a huge amount of information circulates through the net. It is like a tremendous library and market together. In the future, the situation might change, but now we have what we have. It could be expressed in two words— an anarchist’s dream.

Last week, in a private rehabilitation clinic outside Edinburgh, Leo, a sixteen-year-old schoolboy, was going through severe withdrawal symptoms. His problem was ‘Net obsession’— an over-dependency on the Internet.

An international group of psychologists has recently suggested that anyone who surfs the Internet for long periods is clinically ill and needs medical treatment.

Leo is not an isolated case. Russel, aged fifteen, from Gateshead in north-east England, is a typical online addict.

Every day after school, and after dinner until three or four in the morning, he will be found in his room surfing the Net or playing computer games. By the end of the day he will have spent more than six hours online. Understandably, his parents are extremely worried. Not only has his school work suffered, but Russell’s addiction has also destroyed his social life and his spare-time interests. For instance, he has just dropped out of his school’s basketball team in order to spend more time at his computer. Instead of spending next weekend having a good time out with friends, he’ll be spending it indoors surfing the Internet.

Russell has recently joined an Internet online support group. It may seem ironic that many of the support groups for Internet addicts are online but at least Russell has sought help. Not everyone does. Dr Ann Hoffman, who runs an online support group, says, «People don’t realise that being online for more than four hours a day amounts to addiction and that they have a serious problem. I predict that the number of people who join online support groups will have risen dramatically within three years.»

3.Приведите примеры к каждой записанной проблеме. Используйте фразы: This problem can be illustrated by the following example –…, Security is a real problem because, for instance/for example…; I’d like to give an example of a security problem…

4. Объединитесь в группы для обсуждения проблем, связанных с Интернетом. Предложите ваши решения проблем. Используйте фразы:

We propose to/We can/We should… so that/in order to/with the purpose…

We propose to/We can/We should… Thus/ therefore/so/as a result…

In my opinion/view…; To my mind…; It seems to me that…; I think that…