World Wide Web: My Personal Perception Of This Phenomena

Over the course of the twentieth and twenty-first century technology’s role and importance in modernized nations has increased immensely, shaping how we fundamentally live our lives. The internet has changed dramatically since its creation and continues to do so as time goes on. The first version of the internet was created in the 1990’s being the mere backbone of what we define today as the World Wide Web. Up until 1999, the internet was considered an “Read Only” web which only allowed its users to read the information presented by the computer (Web). This is considered Web 1.0, where there existed no flow of information or interaction from the producer to consumer or vice versa (Web). Web 1.0 although seemed to lack many vital aspects of the internet that we have today, it made information available to consumers whenever and wherever they wanted, it was a never-ending yet fast way of receiving information. The first version of the web was “made of the first shopping cart applications”, and these applications modeled a catalog type of output, but even though this innovation may seem meek in comparison to what we have today it still changed the aspect of both space and time even if it was limited in the dimensions it contained (Web). In the late twentieth century Web 2.0 was created which changed the way people gained information even further. Web 2.0 contained two dimensions while giving the power to consumers for open communication and interaction in which Web 1.0 lacked (Web). The reality was reinvented with this form of the internet, but users still must interpret and delegate information received by the internet. My parents recall this form of the internet has lived through its evolution. The usage of Web 2.0 began in 1999 and this included social media platforms and other forms of spreading information such as blogs or video streaming (Web). Web 3.0 is the age of the internet in which we are currently living in with individuals being able to hold data devices on their personal such as apple watches and fit bits which communicate with other devices. Web 3.0 is an “semantic executing web” where the data is released by the internet and is interpreted and essentially understood by software agents (Web). There are already ideas being perpetrated about what Web 5.0 could possibly entail. The goal for Web 5.0 is to be able to be what is called an “emotional web” which would exist between humans and computers through neurotechnology thus being a “symbiotic web” (Web). Currently, there is talk about what Web 5.0 may consist of and with the way technology has been progressing and the innovation it is causing it seems this may be a reality very soon.

A positive and ethical web presence is very important to me especially being a student-athlete. I really have much of a web presence other than through a few social media apps. I try my best to maintain a positive web presence because my father use to work for the United States Military, and he has always stressed to me how important it is to use the internet wisely. Some of the protocols I use to keep a positive presence are I keep all my profiles private granting the ability to see my profile to my friends or family. I never post controversial or discriminatory comments on any social media platform. I like to keep my profile updated and vibrant to show my followers the things I like to do especially the opportunities that are afforded to me by traveling or through being an athlete.

After reading articles regarding social media and ethics I have learned a lot of interesting and shocking information about these topics. The most disturbing fact that I have learned about social media is how large of an impact it can have on your privacy and life. I have learned that “The United States based data is subjected to the Patriot Act, Foreign Intelligence and Surveillance Act” which means that the United States government can access your information whenever they feel necessary (Ethical). An example of this is the bombing of the ISIS headquarter as a result of a member posting a selfie (Steinbuch). Overall, social media has major advantages but users need to be aware that this is an open forum and a permanent way of presenting data so there are certain disadvantages that go along with that aspect as well.