The Internet: Blessing or curse?

THE internet can be seen as a global network that provides a variety of information and communication. We can say that it has helped the Nigerian society and the world at large in various areas. The internet, in the educational sector, has been of help to students and lecturers in their different fields of study. Students go on the internet, most especially from the tertiary institutions, to get help and guidance for assignments, projects and presentations. They gain more knowledge about topics during exams and test preparation periods.

In organisations like banks, the internet has helped communication between branches and head offices and has aided the amendment of work structures. The internet has also laid platforms for online business transactions, funds transfer, news feeds and blogs.  The   internet has helped with information about trends, styles, music, latest innovations and inventions.

It has created avenues for meeting people all over the world, within the country and even in our environment, and this has been achieved with the creation of social networks like facebook, twitter, skype, imochat, badoo, instachat and so on. With all this, one can say that the internet has improved   and upgraded the society in so many ways.

However, the internet has marred the society in so many ways. The use of the internet, especially in our country, has caused people so much misery in the country.

The use of the internet has aggravated illegal business transactions, frauds, illicit affairs on the internet, use of pornography, and cheating, otherwise known as exam malpractices. The internet has had a lot of negative effect on youths in the society at large. We see youths imitating bad trends and lifestyles on the internet. The internet has created so many problems for the economy and society at large. Its excessive use has caused mass failure among students due to lack of concentration. This needs to be handled urgently by the government.

I would implore that the government puts in place restrictions on internet facilities. Access to internet services should be reduced hours