The Internet is a wonderful invention. As usually happens, people have figured out ways to use advancements in technology for negative, and sometimes downright evil, ways.
My son asked me yesterday to consider getting Internet at the house, as did my daughter before him. Do you ever feel as if children are ganging up on you? That’s because they do, so I never recommend having more than two. Two adults and two children sounds like a better ratio than 2-to-3.
 My son started listing reasons why it would be a good thing to have Internet access at home — homework, research, blah, blah, blah. See, even parents have the ability to tune out what sounds like a lecture.
Yes, it can help children with research papers. At the tip of their fingers, they will know about different cultures throughout the world. Want to know what the population is in New Zealand? Tap, tap, tap and there it is! If used for that purpose, I guess it could help improve grades.
I was born, but not yesterday. I think 95 percent of the time, it would be used for something other than improving homework grades.
On the darker side of the Internet, I’ve seen it used for all likes of evil intent such as harassment, embarrassment and instigating fights, not to mention things like pornography and sexual solicitation.
I think the root of the Internet’s problem are some of the people on it. I have one individual who sends me everything they receive. Sadly, most of what is sent is inaccurate. In some cases, it is intentionally inaccurate, but looks authentic, in the hopes of misleading those who read it.
I asked they stop sending me these things unless they check them out first, as most are inaccurate when I look into them. The response I got back was not what I expected. They refused to do that. Instead, I was instructed to block their address.
What? I just asked you to take responsibility for what you forward and the response is no? I really like this person. They are good people. In my opinion, they still are. However, they have fallen into the same situation as others – forward absolutely everything you receive to everyone you know.
Later, I received an e-mail from this person that  read “Johns Hopkins update on Cancer.” Apparently, Johns Hopkins is telling people there is an alternative way to fight cancer other than chemotherapy.
The information looked good, was fairly believable with the right foods to eat and stay away from, and best of all, it came from Johns Hopkins. How much more believable could it get?
It was probably the next day that I received another forwarded e-mail that said, “Johns Hopkins Cancer Research Hoax. Evidently, the e-mail I forwarded about the cancer research from Johns Hopkins was a hoax. Below is the response from Johns Hopkins. I am very sorry about the bad info. If only this had come in my box before I sent it out.”
I refrained from replying with an “I told you so.” People really need to do a little investigation and take responsibility for what they send before they send it. As for me, I delete most of what I’m sent and encourage others to do the same.
As for getting Internet at my house, it feels like I’m inviting danger right into the house. I don’t trust those programs that say they can block this and that, so I’m stuck between what my children want and my instinct to protect them from the bad that comes with the good.
Lisa Hobbs is a reporter for the Standard. She can be reached at 473-2191.