Browsed by
Tag: internet

How to fix the internet

How to fix the internet

It’s also very bad things: 4chan and the Daily Stormer, revenge porn, fake news sites, racism on Reddit, eating disorder inspiration on Instagram, bullying, adults messaging kids on Roblox, harassment, scams, spam, incels.

The internet’s original sin was an insistence on freedom: it was made to be free, in many senses of the word. The internet wasn’t initially set up for profit; it grew out of a communications medium intended for the military and academics (some in the military wanted to limit Arpanet to defense use as late as the early 1980s). When it grew in popularity along with desktop computers, Usenet and other popular early internet applications were still largely used on university campuses with network access. Users would grumble that each September their message boards would be flooded with newbies, until eventually the “eternal September”—a constant flow of new users—arrived in the mid-’90s with the explosion of

… Read more
‘I couldn’t stop myself’: inside the 12-step program for internet addiction | Technology

‘I couldn’t stop myself’: inside the 12-step program for internet addiction | Technology

“Hi, my name is Sarah* and I am an internet and technology addict.”

So began a meeting on a recent Wednesday afternoon, as 18 people quietly gathered on a Zoom call. Text in their small video boxes showed they hailed from locations as disparate as Oregon, India and Namibia.

Sarah and the other attendees are part of a growing fellowship called Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous, a 12-step program based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous that provides tools and support to deal with compulsive internet use. It launched with just a few founding US groups in 2017 and has quickly grown to have thousands of members around the world, with more than 100 online and in-person meetings in seven different languages.

Since Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935, its 12 steps have been adapted for addictions and compulsive behaviors including overeating, overspending and gambling. Now the traditionally abstinence-based

… Read more
Smartphones ban may cause more harm than good, says Molly Russell’s father | Internet safety

Smartphones ban may cause more harm than good, says Molly Russell’s father | Internet safety

Government proposals to ban the sale of smartphones to under-16s and raise the minimum age for accessing social media risk causing more harm than good, the father of Molly Russell has warned.

Ian Russell said it was “no surprise” there is a groundswell of pressure for tougher regulation of social media platforms but said plans for a fresh crackdown were flawed.

Writing in the Guardian, Russell said poorly thought-out policies could have unintended consequences.

“By rushing to introduce new measures that may sound attractive but that research has shown may be deeply flawed, my fear is that there is a real risk the government introduces a set of poorly thought-out measures that result in multiple unintended consequences. Put simply, much of what is being suggested may cause more harm than good,” he said.

Russell has become a prominent voice in the debate over online safety after the death of his

… Read more
Best Internet Providers in Dallas, TX

Best Internet Providers in Dallas, TX

Wireless Internet Providers

A wide variety of internet connections are available in Raleigh, North Carolina, including fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, and fixed wireless. Cable internet is the primary type of internet in Raleigh, with over 95% coverage. Other connection types, like fiber internet and 5G internet, are not as available. Another cheap option is Port Networks, which offers plans at $50 a month to customers in its footprint for download speeds of up to 100Mbps.

Ookla recently calculated Utah’s median download speed at about 192Mbps and highlighted Google Fiber as the state’s fastest provider. CNET considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Temple across several categories. It’s the only provider with a wired connection in the area, so it has the fastest and most reliable speeds. Still, there are downsides to consider, like price increases, contracts, data caps and slow upload speeds. CNET considers speeds, … Read more

Wireless Internet plans: Compare Wireless broadband plans

Wireless Internet plans: Compare Wireless broadband plans

Wireless Internet Providers

While the company’s connection speeds top out at 25 Mbps, if there’s no other home internet option available, HughesNet may be the solution. Spectrum is ideal for customers in its wide service area seeking reliable cable internet with the convenience of bundled mobile services. It suits those who are comfortable committing to a two-year contract for better pricing and prefer the option to choose between professional installation or a DIY setup. The service is also well-suited for households eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program, seeking quality internet without stretching their budget. The variety in Xfinity’s plan offerings, including eight standard options and a flexible prepaid plan, caters to a broad spectrum of users, from casual browsers to heavy streamers. AT&T is ideal for customers in its service areas looking for high-speed internet with the flexibility of no annual contracts and no data caps.

  • Fees and service detailsNavigating Xfinity’s plans can
… Read more