Nowadays, a changing circumstance in the way individuals are aware of events and information has occurred worldwide. More people consider the Internet an efficient news-receiving vehicle, rather than getting information from the television or newspaper. From my perspective, besides the risks of fake news and misinformation, the positive development of using the Internet can bring users convenience and advantageous environmental aspects.
Receiving news from the Internet could have significant benefits for individuals, chiefly from the convenience provided for the users. While newspapers and TV programs require people to expensively purchase a host of appliances such as paper, television or remote control, a smartphone or a laptop can be a sufficient device for getting information with a diverse range of resources. Besides receiving immediately updated information, using smart devices may also allow individuals to simultaneously multitask these devices in other tasks, which brings the reduction of expenditure for buying appliances. Moreover, the use of the Internet may play a vital role in environmental preservation aspects. As the discipline of newspaper and television reduces the amount of paper and electricity used, the energy resources may be saved comprehensively for consumption for other demands. For instance, reducing paper for newspapers can protect forests from being chopped down, which can enhance the nature quality.
However, the Internet may contain significant risks of inaccurate news and misinformation, dramatically affecting individuals’ trust. Different from the sorted, clarified and qualified information provided by newspapers or television, especially authorities’ programs, the vast range of news on the Internet can become a double-edged sword. Besides the convenience, the Internet’s information is usually uncontrolled and unqualified, which is the combination of both precise and wrong information. The more dangerous thing is that information identification is impossible for the users, especially individuals who have a lack of technological awareness, making the process of determining which information they need harder. For example, to boost the views and interaction for advertising and increase revenue, many Vietnamese websites are providing fake information to elderly people, who are vulnerable to misinformation and easily trust this information.
In conclusion, I believe that the use of the Internet to receive information and news worldwide is a positive improvement for society. Fake news can be eliminated if appropriate organizations and governmental facilities with legal instruments simultaneously occupy the Internet media race. The use of the Internet should be encouraged since technological advances could bring significant means of convenience for users and beneficial impact on the environment.