What to Expect on a Tour of the Internet

If I were to visit a foreign country, let's say Canada, I would want to learn about that country before my journey. What should I wear? What am I allowed to do? Not allowed to do? Do they serve pizza at the McDonald's (yes, oddly enough, at least last time I visited a Canadian McDonald's). I would not just hop into my Kia and start driving.

The Internet, like a foreign country, is, at one point, new territory to each “net-izen”. Crossing into a foreign country involves crossing some well-defined line. The thing that makes the land foreign, is not that artificial border, however. There is not that much physical difference, for example, between northern Washington, and southern British Columbia. Trees, check. Rain, check. Yet discuss the correct pronunciation of the word “about” and you'll see that there is a real difference.

The thing that makes one land foreign is not borders, but that the territory is governed by a different set of rules and norms, a different social contract. I emphasize the word social because democracies are governed by the collective views of its citizens. The Internet, in a way, can be viewed as Earth's largest democracy. For the most part people expect to have basic rights protected. But the Internet, like a nation, is made up of people, who use technology as a means to an end.

Before I enter new territory, I need to see what values and rules that area possesses. Most Americans, for example seem to expect rights to privacy, freedom of information, and security. These rights, at times contradict one another, and a happy medium must be found. Before entering the online world, people should be aware that the balance of rights may be quite different than what they are used to. Privacy on the Internet, for example, is often sacrificed in order to allow the free exchange of ideas. Just as a visitor to Canada might be warned not to express disrespect to hockey, a first time Internet user might be well advised not to post anything online that they do not want to be public knowledge. Currently in America, security concerns seem to be “someone else's” responsibility, not the individuals. Taking this attitude online creates victims of viruses, spyware, phishing, or other nefarious schemes. Internet citizens need to be aware that they are largely responsible for the well-being of their computer and personal information. With this vigilant attitude people would be safer because they would stay informed of current threats, install software updates, have firewalls, run virus scanners, and practice other important security measures.

Overall people should expect to have an enjoyable experience on the Internet (and in Canada), with unprecedented access to knowledge and communication. We need to understand, however, that we are entering foreign territory.

Inspiration for this Post: Cliff Stoll's "The Cuckoo Egg" and class discussion