The Internet, which was born as an experimental project of the US government to share information, currently serves as a basic good for communication at multiple levels. Thanks to this technology we have an immense universe of data within reach of a single click.
The Internet is so crucial to understanding the contemporary world that this digital platform is even spoken of as a next-generation human right. More and more people are connected to the web; the train of the digital age advances with force.
For their part, social networks such as Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram democratize the ability to share ideas and opinions. Now anyone can express her point of view via a tweet, a short video, or the posting of an image. The most critical discuss whether these networks really contribute to healthy socialization, or if, on the contrary, they promote antisocial behavior.
And it is that digital technology has revolutionized the way of interacting, working and learning. Of course, there are important advantages that the connection to the network offers us. However, it would be a gross mistake to ignore some issues, due to their sensitivity and importance. We need to ask ourselves certain questions.
How healthy is it that younger children prefer to be glued to a screen rather than go out to play? Has being so immersed in the virtual world made us disconnect from the physical world? Do we know how to differentiate between real data and information false in a web so saturated with content?
The issue is that digital technology has had such an accelerated and forceful impact that we rarely have time to reflect on its scope, risks, and areas of opportunity. We are so dependent on cell phones, computers, and the Internet that we cannot imagine life without them.
There are regulations and rules to prevent minors from buying cigarettes or entering a casino to gamble, but there are practically no restrictions on surfing the Internet, when it is evident that using social networks and staying online for a long time can also create a powerful addiction.
Digital technologies are not bad by themselves, it is the inappropriate use that can be harmful to their users. Therefore, the first step to reverse such a threat is to be aware of the problem and the challenge it represents. The key lies in promoting critical thinking and responsibility.
