Author: Scott Piercy

Editor: Nigel Woodford 

 
The Internet is by far the most pervasive system of communication ever created. Though it is often maligned, and there are certainly many pitfalls to it's use as a tool, it's still just a tool. One of the most powerful tools ever created by mankind perhaps, but still merely a tool. Making the most of the Internet, and being able to do so safely is perhaps one of the most important goals users of this medium have. The risks are real, but mitigating those risks has less to do with "software" than it does with "wet ware" (i.e. that hunk of seemingly useless flesh between your ears.) As we hope you will find, making the Internet a safer and more enjoyable place to be isn't that complicated.

Understanding the risks associated with being on line involves understanding exactly what the Internet is, and more importantly what it is NOT. Also, it's vital to realize exactly how you should approach thinking about the things that you see on line, so that you can truly understand and appreciate the relevance of what is in front of you.

The Internet consists of many synergistic "technologies", but it in and of itself really isn't anything overtly technical. All of the content placed on line is put there either directly or indirectly by PEOPLE, and all the pitfalls associated with dealing with our fellow humans apply. Since much of the Internet is presented as "in your face" information, much the way newspapers, magazines, and television are presented, people tend to take much of the Internet at face value. This can often be a mistake.

We trust our news agencies to exercise such concepts as honor, fairness, journalistic integrity, and for the most part this is true. Such traditional information outlets already have well established systems of checks and balance, so we tend to trust these sources. Similar checks and balances exist on the Internet, but not even remotely to the same degree as exist in traditional media, so one should approach much of what they see and experience on the Internet with a healthy dose of skepticism and common sense.