Advantages of being Online:

• Easy to keep in contact with family and friends all over the world with email, webcams, instant messenger and programs like Skype that allow you to talk cheaply long distance.
• You have access to the ‘largest library’ in the world. By using search engines such as Google and Wikipedia you can find information on almost anything.
• You have access to people worldwide who may share your interests.
• You have access to people worldwide who may share a common problem.
• You can check prices etc online and compare similar products easily.
• Pay your bills online
• Do your banking online
• Businesses can offer customers a variety of ways to ‘shop’
• Businesses can keep in contact with their customers more easily (and cheaper), provide emails about the latest specials, publish an online catalogue, etc.
• People with health problems etc that are unable to leave their homes can still ‘access’ the world.

Pitfalls of being Online:

• Make sure you are aware of the download limits etc of your ISP plan; otherwise being online may be expensive.
• There is no ‘certifying authority’ saying that the information you find online is correct, so always verify the information.
• It is easy to be anonymous online; or pretend you are someone you are not! So be careful who you give your personal information to.
• You can become ‘addicted’ to being online
• Spam – unsolicited emails cluttering up your email inbox.
• You personal information may be stolen if you don’t have the right precautions in place.
• Electronic messages are NOT private – always assume that whatever you send via email can end up on the ‘front page’ of a newspaper.
• The most common type of internet crimes are fraud and cons.
• Your computer can get a virus if you don’t use the right precautions.
• Children can easily be exposed to inappropriate content while online.