Guest Column

How four Iowa teens think the proliferation of the Internet is impacting life now and ahead

For three or four years now, West Des Moines-based Internet provider netINS, Inc., has sponsored an essay contest for graduating high school seniors in communities served by the member telephone companies of its parent company, Iowa Network Services, Inc. The assigned topics have generally been related to the rapid increases in communications technology. This year’s was on how the “proliferation of the Internet” is transforming our lives, a topic particularly appropriate for the rural Midwest where high-speed Internet service is now becoming universally available. The four essays that follow are this year’s winners from a field of about 50 who wrote. Each of the four won a $1,000 college scholarship from netINS. I asked Michael Eggley, CEO of netINS, which is one of our Partners & Patrons here at Offenburger.com, if we could publish them here, and he consented. The students undoubtedly would enjoy hearing our readers’ perceptions on our Internet culture, too, so I’ve given you the writer’s e-mail addresses at the end of each essay. —Chuck Offenburger

By ASHLEY LATHRUM
August 8, 2005
SAINT CHARLES, IOWA

EVERYBODY FROM HER 11-YEAR-OLD SISTER
TO HER GRANDPARENTS IS USING THE ’NET

By ASHLEY LATHRUM
August 8, 2005
SAINT CHARLES, IOWA

The global proliferation of the Internet has had a profound impact on society today. I cannot recall another invention that can give so many people, ranging from the very young to the older generations, access to so much news, information and entertainment. The fact that nearly all of that information is available from just about anywhere access is granted is not only convenient, but it is amazing.

I realize the dangers that come with such a powerful tool, but I do believe the positives shine much brighter than the negatives.

Almost everyone I know now has access to the Internet. My 11-year-old sister is rapidly becoming very knowledgeable about the ins and outs of being online. My grandparents were a bit wary at first about having such a powerful tool in their living room, but have become quite accustomed to it. They frequently use the Internet to stay in touch with relatives, check the stock market, find sports scores and read the newspapers online.

I use the Internet daily, for school, entertainment and personal reasons. By the end of May, when I graduated from high school, I had earned 12 college credits, all through the Internet. That is a feat not possible by any other means of education, since I would not have enough time in my regular school day, along with extra-curricular activities, to travel to a local college and take those same classes.

The convenience provided by the Internet is becoming more widely accepted daily.

Those that carry a busy workload may not have time to go shopping. Luckily for them, just about anything can be ordered from their computer with a credit card. Access is also becoming more widespread, as many public venues have been installing wireless portals. Colleges across Iowa, as well as the United States, have been equipped to allow students to log onto the school’s network from anywhere on campus.

Many argue the dangers of the Internet, but steps can be taken to prevent viruses and identity thefts. There are many anti-virus programs that can be purchased, for a reasonable price, and will help keep hackers and viruses from entering a personal computer. Users are being advised to only give out personal information if the site requesting it is fully trusted.

“There can not be a rainbow without a little rain,” so I guess it is best if we take the little bit of bad that may come with the Internet and focus on all of the positives that can come from it.

Ashley Lathrum graduated from Interstate 35 High School in Truro and will attend the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Her essay represented Interstate Communications, the telephone company based in Truro and serving an area 30 miles south of Des Moines. You can reach her by e-mail at ashleylathrum@netins.net

BUT YOU HAVE TO STAY ON-GUARD
ABOUT THE INTERNET’S ABUSES, TOO

By McCELLAN SIRUTA
August 8, 2005
JEFFERSON, IOWA

In the 1990s, the positive effects of global Internet proliferation were many, and the negative aspects few.

This generation of students finds information more easily, shops more easily, and communicates more easily than previous generations, thanks to the Internet.

Unlike the 1990s, however, these more efficient methods come at a high cost to Internet users of 2005. Personal computer users around the world now fall risk to false or plagiarized information, identity theft, spam e-mail and viruses. Are these invasions of privacy worth the Internet’s ease of use?

The Internet often takes the form of a library, and the largest library of any information anywhere. From their own homes, people are able to find the answers to the most difficult of questions. However, this library is different than most, because it contains both true and false information. This is the Internet, and this is the risk a personal computer user takes in using the Internet.

Shopping online can result in cheaper prices, a larger selection of products, and of course, the ease of shopping from a desk chair. Once again, this ability comes with risks, more so than other Internet uses. Identity theft is growing, with approximately seven million Americans falling prey each year. Web users transfer personal data such as credit card numbers, addresses and telephone numbers over the Internet each day without giving it a second thought, and put themselves at risk of identity theft.

E-mail is a primary form of communication for this generation of students. It is instant, regardless of the distance, and it is also free. As everything, e-mail has drawbacks. Like the relentless telemarketers calling at dinnertime each night, spam e-mail greets e-mail users each morning along with regular communications. Now, the United States and the European Union have passed the CAN-SPAM act, designed to limit spam e-mail.

Through government interaction, the negative effects of global Internet proliferation such as theft of intellectual property, identity theft and the spread of spam and viruses, can be reduced, and the positive effects of limitless information, easy shopping and instant communication will shine through once again.

McCellan Siruta graduated from Jefferson-Scranton High School and is going on to Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. The INS company serving his home area is Jefferson Telephone Company. You can reach him at mccellan@netins.net.


THERE’S NO QUESTION THE INTERNET
HAS SHAPED A NEW GLOBAL COMMUNITY

By CYDNEY HOEGH
August 8, 2005
LEWIS, IOWA

Without a doubt the Internet has broadened our methods of communication worldwide, and is at the cutting-edge of future possibilities.

Our technological advances have yielded unimaginable results, including the efficient transferring of ideas, the exposing of several cultures and merging numerous countries into a global community.

For ages, global communication was deemed impossible. Prior to the Internet, the only means by which we could communicate to people of different countries was through mail, telephone, Morse code or traveling.

However, the Internet has revolutionized our global connection. Through personal Web pages, e-mail and instant messaging, these barriers that once stood as an economical roadblock to society have now been alleviated with a simple click of the mouse.

Moreover, the spread of the Internet throughout the world has enabled us to learn about different cultures, beyond the limitations of a classroom textbook, and to share our own.

Search engines provide database information for our imaginations to sort at will. More importantly, high-speed communication allows us to form an opinion about someone strictly by what they say and not from perceived social inequities.

Lastly, the World Wide Web connects the large-scale of the human race in a small-scale environment. A person can meet their best friend from a different country, and maintain a healthy relationship without ever seeing him or her face to face. Multi-national companies can connect with their subsidiaries and employees instantly. The possibilities are endless and will undoubtedly continue to progress with time.

I believe the effects of global Internet proliferation have been positive. I also believe that the postulations I have mentioned are only the beginning. As a young adult, I am excited to see how the Internet will continue to evolve and broaden the horizon for future generations.

Cydney Hoegh is a graduate of Atlantic High School in southwest Iowa and is going on to Iowa State University. Her essay represented Griswold Telephone Company, which also serves the Lewis area. You can reach her at cydney_hoegh16@hotmail.com.


IT’S DIFFICULT TO FIND A SELF-SUSTAINING
BUSINESS NOT USING THE 'NET TODAY

By MARCUS HEMESATH
August 8, 2005
WATKINS, IOWA

Since the 1980s, the use of computers has spread dramatically throughout the world. Today it is difficult to find a self-sustaining business that does not use computers on some level. Part of the reason computers have spread so dramatically is the opportunity to connect to the Internet.

The Internet may be the broadest and most versatile network on the planet. With the Internet, people have the ability to find any tidbit of information they want. Also, they can communicate with people continents away with ease, do their banking, work the stock market, bid on cars and do their grocery shopping from the comfort of their own home.

Businesses find the Internet to be a necessity because a single person can manage an entire company through a network of computers. Also, the Internet has made international business much easier to manage.

Communication with anyone in the world is as easy as the click of a mouse. Just in the last 10 years, the expansion of the Internet throughout the world is incredible. Nations that have hardly enough money to feed their people are doing business online. The Internet has truly become a necessity for anyone that wants any power or success in this world.

The opportunities provided by the Internet are unbelievable.

However, like anything, it could be greatly improved. There are many dangers that people face while surfing the Web.

Identity theft and fraud are two things that people must be aware of while connecting to the Internet. People find it easy to do online shopping, but credit card numbers and financial information is often times not safe. Also online gambling is becoming a problem among college students.

I do believe that the world would function without the luxury of the Internet, but the benefits it brings to world communication and business are extremely rewarding. There are definitely some things that could be done to make the Internet easier and safer to use, but all in all, global Internet proliferation is a good thing.

Marcus Hemesath is a graduate of Benton Community High School in Van Horne, 25 miles west of Cedar Rapids. He will attend Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. His essay represented South Slope Cooperative Communications Company, which serves his home area. You can reach him at marchemi14@aol.com.

More information about netINS, Inc., is available in the listing on our Offenburger.com home page of our Partners & Patrons. Or you can e-mail CEO Michael Eggley at MSE@netins.com.

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