Focus: Internet turns 20

The worldwide web is the greatest technical innovation of the 21st century.

No other invention has affected so many lives. Probably, the other innovations that could be compared to it are the automobile, telephone or aeroplane. However, the internet allows us to catch up on current events, shop, study, market products and stay in touch with family and friends on a scale not possible before. Cars, telephones and planes have reached the limit on how useful they could be for us.
Seerwan Ali Jaafar
Dubai

Recently while travelling to Shanghai, China, I was browsing through the channels on the console, and saw a programme that showed how dependable the world wide web is. The pace at which the Web is evolving is tremendous and commendable - from e-mailing to gaming, there is something for everyone. This is why everybody uses it according to what they want. I think it is a platform for infinite possibilities.
Hitesh Pathak
Sharjah

This great wonder has changed our lives in so many ways. Since its arrival years ago, it has made learning, communication, business and other such services globally available for all. It has broken cultural and geographical barriers. It is fast, cheap, easy to use and has made connectivity a need, not a luxury. It has not only enlightened us with great knowledge but provided great business opportunities.
Sara Badrelin
Abu Dhabi

I am an expatriate student and, for me, internet is the only way of communicating with my friends and family on a daily basis. With various updates like video conferencing, it is as good as being home with your near and dear ones. This super-fast and ever-growing technology has definitely altered our perspective about communication and education. It has made our busy lives simpler and easier.
Aditya Jain
Sharjah

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Internet makes people anti-social.

People spend a lot of time browsing the internet and tend to be lazier. They like to meet people and socialise lesser than before. They are in their own world and are more interested in knowing about the world through the internet. I think that would also have an impact on their communication skills. The functionality of the mind and brain is also affected and people behave weirdly at times.
Saifee Mansour Tarwala
Dubai

The impact of the Web on our community and culture has been multi-faceted. Among the various threats that have emerged are social insecurity and anti-social attitude. One can access information on extremely destructive activities. Children, too, are not left far behind, which is the greatest setback toward social development. Additionally, there is a loss of cultural and religious ethics. We need to strike a balance.

Khaja Mohtesham Al Deen
Dubai

The internet may have contributed a bit to anti-social behaviour. When a person is fully occupied on the internet, his or her sociability and approachability decreases. They tend to become more aggressive and reluctant to socialise. Everything in life has its pros and cons. Being a student, it has dominated my life. I also prefer to socialise with friends who live in other countries through the internet.
Anushri Verma
Dubai

Nothing in life has a single aspect, whether positive or negative. What one has to look at is - which side overweighs the other. The internet has become a part and parcel of our lives and we cannot think of living without it. However, the younger generation has definitely lost our traditional values because of it. Meeting and socialising in the physical presence of your loved ones has its own charm and beauty.
Sumanta Kumar Banerjee
Dubai

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The way people study has improved because of the Web but it exposes children to too much danger.

I strongly feel that internet has helped me, and many other students, perform better at schools and colleges. It provides us with a universal library, in the form of various search engines, which has made access to learning materials convenient. Today, it seems almost impossible to complete class work and projects without the help of the world wide web. But we it does expose children to danger.
Druston Vaz
Dubai

Internet had definitely provided us with a lot of knowledge. However, like everything else in life, the internet also has its pros and cons. It has changed the way children approach their school projects. It has helped them perform better as they can gain wider knowledge about topics that they earlier could not. However, it exposes children to information which may not be appropriate for their age.
Ayah Nofal Kahook
Dubai

Information is power and the internet has been a great success because it provides us the gateway to endless information. It has made information available to us with great ease and speed. I agree that dangerous content is available on the web, but if some countries can create a safe network for its users, even other countries could follow the same procedure and protect children from accessing such content.
Salve Pelingen
Sharjah

Being a make-up artist, it is essential for me to learn about different fashion trends from all around the world. If it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't have been able to update myself regularly. Because of the ease with which it provides us information, we almost feel handicapped without it. The technology has broken the toughest barrier of culture, and the biggest example is the online matrimonial services.
Jyoti Dhannak
Sharjah

Internet has made the world a more equal place.

Internet has made the world an equal place by overcoming the distance communication barrier. Retrieving and collecting information is much easier. Online services such as banking and education have broken geographic barriers. For expatriates like me, it has made it possible to be informed and connected to the happenings in our home country with ease.
Wasif Noorani
Sharjah

The internet has captured the attention of the younger generation and has contributed to our learning skills. Being a college student, I do most of my work on the internet. Most work places require candidates to have an understanding of the internet. Every person feels the urge to enter the world of the internet and has led to everyone becoming equal.
Charmain Fernandes
Dubai

Internet has not only provided us with immense knowledge but also made socialising a lot easier. Online search engines have made it possible to get jobs and internships from all around the world and thus made us even more mobile. Online news helps me be aware of happenings around the world. It has made information available equally to everyone.
Somya Grover
Dubai

I am a working girl and, honestly, my job would be almost impossible without the internet. I use it to get information about clients and create a database. It has made retrieving information so easy that one just has to click the mouse. The business platform would not be as global as it is without the internet, due to geographical constraints.
Sangeeta Dhannak
Sharjah

Next week's focus: Office politics

Office politics will not survive if nobody listens to gossip people spread. Many political battles could be avoided
if people had the courage to ask what was said and settle it at the same time. When ego gets wrapped up in the
work, people get defensive. People would rather work with someone who is likable and incompetent.

NEXT POLL

Office politics is not an optional choice.
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