The internet has evolved with each passing time and is also making its strong impact on modern life and education. In terms of students, it offers access to multiple things, including educational information and new modes of learning. However, the benefits of the internet are vast, but it may also pose different challenges, including misinformation and distraction from studies. This blog article explores more than 10 advantages and disadvantages of the internet for students to help the audience distinguish its benefits and challenges.
1. Unlimited access to the information
2. E-learning and online courses
3. Effective Communication and Collaboration Strategy
4. Updated information
5. Improved Research Capabilities
6. Online libraries and digital resources
7. Interactive learning facilities
8. Preparation for Competitive Exams
9. Skills Development beyond academics
10. Flexibility and self-paced learning
1. Distraction and time wasting
2. Reduced Attention span
3. Addiction and overuse
4. Exposure to misinformation
5. Cyberbullying and online harassment
6. Privacy and security Risks
7. Health issues
8. Loss of Social and communication skills
9. Academic Dishonesty
10. Double-edged sword
The internet has multiple knowledge with unlimited access that helps students find better solutions with detailed explanations, tutorials and research materials on different topics. The variety may involve different academic journals, including Research Gate, Sage published journals and Science Direct. The Internet also provides a YouTube tutorial facility for easy demonstration of the task, so the student can understand the concept more quickly with a detailed understanding. For example, A student who faced issues in studying calculus can watch a video on YouTube and choose a relevant method that they can easily understand. For a more detailed review, they can also read blogs, articles and research papers.
Students can also participate in different courses online from top universities across the globe, without even leaving their homes. There are different platforms, including Coursera, Udemy, edX and Skillshare, that have made high-quality education more accessible. This internet facility is beneficial for those individuals who live in underdeveloped regions, as it provides them with an opportunity to work remotely, so they can receive a quality education.
The internet makes the communication pattern stronger through which students can interact with teachers, acquaintances, peers and mentors. This may involve different communication channels such as email, messaging app and forums. On the other hand, group projects are managed through different platforms such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams or Slack. An internet platform made it easy to work in collaboration, where a group of students can make assignments together by sharing each other's opinions and suggestions for a short period of time.
The Internet provides updated knowledge as per the latest research, events, technology and emerging trends. This advantage is better than the textbooks as they will become outdated more quickly and need a good amount of time for updates. While online information can easily be updated within a shorter time limit. Students of every age can benefit from this benefit for writing a research paper or academic proposal, as it requires the latest updates about science and technology.
The Internet has provided multiple qualities, such as students can easily use search engines, including Google and Microsoft Bing. These platforms provide different databases like Google Scholar, PubMed and Jstor, which provide authentic information. On the other hand, students can use Statistica to analyse the numbers, statistics and numeric data. Research capabilities allow students to do research more efficiently through authentic resources and also save time or money.
The Internet provides the advantage of digital resources, where public and university libraries offer different digital collections, which are helpful for students. This may include borrowing eBooks, accessing archives and other facilities like multimedia learning materials that a student can use remotely. This benefit is useful for special students or for those students who have mobility issues and are financially unstable to buy expensive books.
The Internet provides digital learning platforms that have become important tools in modern education, playing a significant role in enhancing student engagement. These platforms offer a flexible, interactive, and personalised learning experience that provides a diverse learning styles and preferences by integrating multimedia content, gamification, and real-time feedback. However, digital learning platforms provide a more immersive and participatory learning environment for students. Students can facilitate through technological advances, which include software and web development. Furthermore, researchers and instructors have sought to capitalise on these advances by integrating virtual lab experiences into online and traditional learning environments.
The Internet facilitates previous year papers and study guides for students to prepare for their exams, like IELTS, GRE and SAT. This advantage shows that when a student gets an opportunity to have multiple courses and knowledge, it will be easy for them to achieve success. However, data was collected from subject experts in regards to students’ exam preparation.
Information technology has emerged to spread shared knowledge and is a primary driving force behind education reforms. The introduction of new technology-assisted learning tools, such as mobile devices, smartboards, MOOCs, tablets, laptops, simulations, dynamic visualisations, and virtual laboratories, has altered education remotely for students. However, the internet allows students to learn new skills such as coding and graphic design through online platforms.
The Internet also facilitates self-paced learning, allowing learners to take ownership over their education and also ensuring that learners are taking it seriously. There are five features that any self-paced training program will give access to students, which include On-Demand Playback, Built-In Assessment Tools and Accessibility Features.
Instead of different advantages, the internet also introduces several challenges and drawbacks for students. These issues can be impactful on learning, health and personal development if not managed properly.
One of the most negative sides of internet use is distraction among students, which includes social media, games, and streaming services. These sources, if entertainment consumes hours that should be spent on studying, as it is easy to be indulged in scrolling instead of studying.
Frequent exposure to short-form content, such as TikToks, Reels or tweets that can affect the student’s ability to concentrate for extended periods. This condition led to reduced focus and difficulty in deep learning. However, there are many educators who report that students are having trouble staying focused during longer lessons.
Internet addiction is a growing concern among students, particularly with social media or gaming. It can impact academic performance, sleep schedules and social life. Its symptoms may include fatigue, irritability and withdrawal from practical activities.
Information on the internet is not always accurate, which is why students may experience fake news, biased sources or unverified data that can mislead them or also affect the quality of their academic work.
For example, if students are using websites like Wikipedia and AI-based work, then their academic work may lack its authenticity and require further critical thinking or fast checking skills in the digital age. However, today's digital landscape is marked by the extensive use of information and communication technology that exposes young people to false information in order to shape their perception of themselves and society.
Students can be victims of cyberbullying through social media, messaging apps or even in online classrooms. This can lead to anxiety, depression and a drop in academic performance. For instance, online anonymity can create a toxic environment. However, cybercrime bullying lies in different forms such as harassment like insults or threats, spreading rumours, impersonation, outing and trickery like gaining an individual's trust and then using online media to expose their secrets or exclusion like excluding an individual from activities.
Sharing personal information online can expose students to identify theft, scams or hacking.Most of the people are unaware of data protection strategy , particularly students or are also failed to recognise the phishing attempts. For instance, young users are specifically vulnerable to online threats. However, the research finds that 73 instagram users regarding their awareness of phishing scams and anti-phishing education is reported.
The excessive screen time condition may cause different issues like eye strain, headache issues, body posture problems and insomniac conditions. These problems are associated with lack of physical activity or increased use of the internet through different platforms like Instagram, facebook and Tik tok. For example, blue light exposure from screens disrupts sleep cycles and contributes to obesity and related health issues. However, excessive screen time is a growing concern in modern society along with the production of digital device which contributes to the increased physical and mental health
The excessive screen timing may decrease a social connection such as incapability of students to interact socially, also faces struggle in direct one-on-one communication, empathy and emotional intelligence. For instance, over-reliance on digital communication can hinder the development of real-world social skills. However, Social media technology can boost youths' sense of social well-being, depending on the nature of its use.
The ease access of finding an answer such as using plagiarized content, cheating in exams and copy pasting assignments.It may include different tools like Chatbot and softwares that are based on Artificial Intelligence. However, Academic cheating involves fraud, deceit, or dishonesty during academic tasks, including prohibited materials or providing unauthorised assistance to others.It misrepresents students' actual knowledge and undermines fair assessment by instructors.
The internet is undoubtedly considered as a double-edged sword in the life of the student if it is used wisely as an empowering tool for enhancing learning and boosting confidence. However, overuse can lead to misinformation, distraction and mental and health problems.
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