The negative and positive side of Online World

[CharorowtzXD]

Good day guys, I'm back
Hello Windice and hello gambling world!
How are you all?
Happy new week to everyone.
It's the end week of October. Yey! Halloween, Christmas and New Year is finally near. And just few more months and we're finally gonna say "goodbye 2024 and hello 2025"
Anyways, I hope you're all doing just fine wherever you are and whatever you. I also wish you all great success in everything and great luck in your gaming.

Today, I wanna share the good and the bad side of Online world (internet).

Almost everything now is so advanced making lives easier than hundreds to thousands of years ago. And everyday, many more discoveries and inventions are being introduced to the public specially technology.

All thanks to the awesome inventors and innovators who continuously create new devices, methods, processes, and ideas, addressing specific problems and improving existing technologies.

This includes Internet and everything accessible online like social media platforms, news platforms, online stores and marketplaces, apps and so much more. Because of internet, it’s easier for us to find jobs and apply online, buy our everyday needs and stuffs, easily connect with our friends and loved ones and even meet other people from all over the world. It’s also easier to pay bills and do other online transactions and even monitor our finances with the help of online wallets such as online banking and e-wallets. Because of internet, we are able to watch our favorite artists anytime. We are able to watch and even download all types of shows, movies and songs. and be updated with the latest trends, gossips and news. Because of internet, we no longer need to acquire dictionaries and encyclopedias since everything is now searchable online. Because of internet, we are now able to enroll in courses we would like to take even without going to a university. How amazing internet really is.

However, despite the positive qualities internet has, it also has it’s downside.

Below is the list of some of the POSITIVE and NEGATIVE aspects of Online World based on what I have searched online.

1. Access to Information and Education
- Online platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, and YouTube provide free or affordable courses and tutorials on virtually any subject. This easy access to information has democratized education, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to learn new skills, improve their knowledge, and advance in their careers.

2. Connection and Community Building
- Social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, LinkedIn, and all other Social media platforms allow people to connect with friends, family, and professional networks, even across long distances. These connections foster a sense of belonging, help maintain relationships, and allow people to find support in online communities for mental health, hobbies, and other interests.

3. Convenience in Daily Life
- Online shopping sites like Amazon or Alibaba, food delivery apps like Uber Eats, and all other online stores, provide quick access to goods be it physical or digital products and services. Convenience in ordering and having products delivered enhances efficiency and saves time, allowing people to focus on other priorities.

4. Opportunities for Business and Innovation
-E-commerce platforms, social media marketing, and tools like Shopify enable small businesses to reach global customers. The digital economy has opened doors for startups, remote work, and freelancers, allowing people to create income streams and innovations regardless of geographical location.

5. Privacy Concerns and Data Security
- Data breaches in companies like Facebook, Equifax, and Google have exposed millions of users' private information. Such breaches lead to identity theft and financial fraud, causing users to lose trust in online platforms and impacting their mental well-being.

6. Cyberbullying and Harassment
- Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram can sometimes become venues for online harassment or bullying, especially among teens. Cyberbullying affects mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and sometimes even suicide, particularly in vulnerable groups like teenagers.

7. Addiction and Decreased Productivity
- Endless scrolling on platforms like TikTok or Instagram creates addictive behaviors, which can interfere with daily responsibilities. This addiction can lead to reduced productivity, less time for face-to-face interactions, and mental health issues like anxiety and low self-esteem.

8. Spread of Misinformation
- False information can spread quickly on platforms like Facebook or YouTube, influencing public opinion on health, politics, and science. Misinformation undermines trust in reliable sources, skews public understanding, and can even lead to dangerous actions, as seen in anti-vaccine movements.

Some other online activities also has it’s good side and down side . Like online transactions. Below is the list of the ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of Online Transactions.

1. Convenience and Accessibility
- You can make purchases, pay bills, or transfer money anytime and from anywhere. This flexibility saves time, allowing quick transactions, and is especially useful for people with busy schedules or limited mobility. However, if the transaction suddenly fails or get errors along the way because of sudden and unexpected issues like website outages, payment processing errors, or crashing of apps, it becomes an inconvenience for the payer/sender. Sometimes this leads to unintentional cancellations, and/or double charges and it will take 24 to 48 hours and may even take 7 working days to months for the investigation to be completed and error to be fixed. There isn’t any guarantee at times if the money can be refunded or what. This affects customer satisfaction.

2. Variety and Comparison Shopping
- Online platforms like Amazon and eBay allow users to compare products and prices across different sellers. Consumers can make more informed choices and often find better deals than in physical stores, helping them save money. However, the downside of online shopping is that, there are tendencies consumers receive either wrong or damaged items, incomplete orders (some items missing), delays in shipping and delivery of the parcels, and worst, their parcels getting lost in transit and has to be reported lost/stolen. And if the consumer demands for return/ refund they will have to do the steps required according to the store’s return/refund policy, then have to wait an agonizing days just for the result of their request, which is more inconvenient and irritating for sure. I know this because I am an online shopper since 2018 hahahahaha! But I don’t request for return/refund as much as possible since I know I will just waste time filing such report and I won’t get the kind of result I want.

3. Fast and Secure Payment Methods
- Payment gateways like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay offer secure and quick payment processing. These platforms encrypt data, providing a secure environment for transactions, reducing the risk of fraud, and improving user confidence.

4. Digital Record-Keeping
- Online banking and shopping apps track transaction histories automatically. This provides easy access to records for budgeting and tax purposes and reduces the need for physical paperwork.

5. Risk of Fraud and Cybersecurity Issues
- Phishing attacks, credit card fraud, and hacking incidents target online shoppers and banking users. These risks can result in financial losses, identity theft, and personal information breaches, making some users wary of online transactions.

I have read and watched a lot of news about some individuals who got aggravated and so much disappointed because of what happened to all their hard earned money they have stored in their bank accounts. A lot of them have worked hard enough for years to raise those huge balances but unfortunately hackers and fraudsters targeted them and emptied their bank accounts leaving not even a single cent. There also had been a lot of incident reports lately wherein some people suddenly receive and has to pay for the parcels they haven’t even bought online but was named to them.

6. Hidden Fees and Exchange Rates
- Some online payment processors charge transaction or conversion fees for international purchases. These fees can add up, especially for frequent or high-value transactions, making online shopping or international payments more expensive.

7. Limited Personal Interaction
- Buying online means missing out on personalized recommendations or live customer support found in physical stores. This can be a drawback for people who prefer in-person assistance or who have complex questions about a product or service.

Balancing security and convenience, along with awareness of potential fees or risks, can help users maximize the benefits of online transactions while minimizing their downsides.

Cont. In comment section. Too long post ahead

 

[CharorowtzXD]

Another activity that has its ADVANTAGES and DISADVANATAGES are the Online Dating apps and Platforms.

Online dating apps and platforms have transformed the way people meet and form relationships, bringing both advantages and challenges.

Apps like Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid connect people from various backgrounds, interests, and locations. Users have access to a diverse range of potential partners they might never meet in their daily lives, increasing their chances of finding compatible matches. With just a few swipes or clicks, users can view profiles, chat, and arrange dates. Online dating apps make it easy for busy individuals to meet others on their own time, creating flexibility that traditional dating often lacks.
Platforms like eHarmony and Match use algorithms to suggest partners based on shared interests, values, and personality traits. This targeted approach can lead to more meaningful connections by filtering matches based on compatibility factors.
Some people use dating apps to practice social skills, get to know themselves better, and clarify what they’re looking for in a partner. This self-reflection can help people enter relationships more confidently and with a better understanding of their preferences and boundaries.

However, the DISADVANTAGES or downside of Online Dating is that.

1. there are some users who uses fake photos, fake profile, exaggerate information, or misrepresent intentions.This can lead to disappointment, mistrust, and even personal safety risks, as it’s difficult to verify information online without meeting in person.
There are a lot of reports posted in online news and social media platforms about individuals who got scammed by someone they knew online both in social media platforms and online dating apps. Scammers using fake identity,pretending they are really good looking, rich, has a successful career and such so they can surely get their target victims’ attention and interest and then do their real intention soon after. Some scammers namely romance scammers develop emotional connections with victims to gain their trust. After establishing a relationship, they may ask for money under various false pretenses, such as a medical emergency, financial hardship, or an elaborate story to gain sympathy and funds. While some scammers extort money from their victims. And if their victim fails to comply to their demands, they will either blackmail their victims by by threatening to reveal private or compromising information, like explicit photos, videos, or sensitive "secrets."

2. Swiping-based apps can encourage quick judgments based on appearances rather than meaningful qualities. This can foster a "shopping" mentality toward dating, with people focusing on instant attraction and swiping for hours, often leading to frustration or burnout.

3. Dating platforms often collect sensitive personal information, which can be a target for hackers or data breaches. Privacy concerns can make users feel vulnerable, as their personal information or chat history could be exposed if the platform experiences a data breach.

4.Many users may be seeking casual interactions or feel less accountability due to the online nature of the interaction. This can lead to behaviors like ghosting (suddenly ending communication without explanation) or insincere engagements, causing disappointment, hurt feelings, and a negative dating experience.

Online dating can be an effective way to meet people and form relationships, but it’s essential for users to remain cautious and mindful of both the benefits and potential downsides. Balancing patience, authenticity, and safety can help create a more positive experience on these platforms.

There are many more online activities which has its advantages and disadvantages. Online world can either build us or break us. Just like these fake news and gossips without valid proof of information. These ruin relationships, family and even one’s life.

I have been seeing such pages in Facebook lately wherein people spread fake news like sudden death of celebrities, places to experience huge earthquakes, etc. This is annoying honestly. And if you are one of those who easily believes in everything you see in the internet, not spending time to fact check and validate such information you see in social medias like Facebook, my friend I tell you, start doing fact check or you'll end up a victim too. Ahahaha! Kidding.

Just take good care guys and remember to always be careful with all the activities you do online. From the links you click, platforms you join, videos you watch, apps you install, games videos and songs you download, products you purchase online, etc. Always be vigilant and mindful. PREVENTION AN LIMITATION IS BETTER THAN CURE”