Impact of the Internet on Society (Edexcel IGCSE ICT): Revision Note

Broadcasting a message

• Before the internet, an individual would need to persuade a media outlet to broadcast their message

• It was difficult to get a message to the masses

• Social media and video streaming have given society a platform to share their own messages to a global audience

Online content

• Controlled by moderators

• Service owners control content can be published

• Algorithms determine what content watchers see based upon browsing history & online activity

• Paid promotion will be seen by more users than individuals that don't pay

User generated reference sites

• Sites such as Wikipedia have removed the element of fact checking by experts or editors

• Users can contribute content that may or may not be true

Law enforcement

Negative

• Use of social media and video messaging services to organise illegal activities whilst avoiding police

Positive

• Use of a network of CCTV cameras to record illegal actions

• Footage captured on social media to help identify suspects

• Social media used to organise events to support victims

Good access to information, this improves education and helps enable them to make decisions

Reduced access to information, this decreases education and reduces their ability to make decisions