Challenges of Modern Living

Rapid advances in information technology, cognitive science, and nanotechnology have greatly influenced the way people today conceptualize the world of the future and the human ability to manipulate matter at the molecular levels, hence, leading science into what "modernists" see as exciting and unknown frontiers. Indeed, life was much simpler and less complicated 30 years ago, as so many would sigh. But just as there are perils or dangers, say, in the internet and mobile communication technology, there are also bountiful promises and benefits depending upon how man uses them.

Imagine a billion people linked together in the Worldwide Web - a virtual metropolis or a global village - exchanging anonymously instant, uncensored text and images with almost anyone, the very young and old alike all capable of accessing it. Truly amazing! But sad to say, beyond the tepid general rule, i.e., no spreading of computer viruses or infectious software, there really are no moral guidelines or real 'gatekeepers' in cyberspace. More often than not, an individual is left to fend for himself against the wrong cyber streets - exposing him to the many violent, explicit and corrosive ideas and images available therein.

The harsh reality of cyber street life is that many unscrupulous elements of society also use it to prey on the unsuspecting - as what are done by pedophiles who lie in wait to lure children to take the bait or by the racist and bigots who wish to spread their message of hate. Many others use it as a tool for various forms of deception.

To many millions more, however, it does provide opportunities to stay in touch with their friends, to discuss related interest and hobbies, and to serve as a sounding board of individual opinions on social, political and religious issues. Parents should wise up and counteract the dangers of the Internet while allowing their children to enjoy its benefits by basically being aware of what their children are accessing on the Internet, by establishing guidelines about safe Internet use, by placing reasonable boundaries, while at the same time making their children aware of the predators who roam around cyberspace, thus, help them adjust to modernity's downside and raise their awareness about the unpleasant dangers that lurk therein. Parents also need to learn about the computer programs that they can install to restrict their children from accessing sites and other materials on the World Wide Web that are sexually-explicit or pornographic. An example of this is PEDINFO Parental Control of Internet Access.