Issues on ICT and Internet Policy and Regulations

Nowadays, most people has access to the internet and technology. As long as you have an internet connection, you can now search and retrieve information from various sources with just one tap. It is beneficial to us students since it can speed up the acquisition of information, and we can use a variety of educational online resources. Furthermore, technology and the internet connect people. The power of these two transcends boundaries, allowing us to explore unlimited possibilities. Regardless of location or time, we can now interact and work with others simply by using various social media apps.

However, for every advantage, there is an equal and opposite disadvantage. We can not argue that certain people in the Philippines do not have access to the internet. Furthermore, some people lack sufficient knowledge about how to utilize the internet and technology properly. Some people also abuse the internet. For example, instead of being used for gathering information and communicating with others, Facebook has become a platform for others to utilize in harmful ways, such as cyberbullying, scamming, hacking, spreading fake news, and others. Furthermore, because of its extended exposure to technology and the internet, the Philippines ranks first in the world in terms of watching pornographic content in 2022. As a result, it is crucial to develop a foundation in the usage of ICT.

The Department of Information, Communication and Technology (DICT) says:

“The future has arrived. Now we have to ensure that we have a place in it.”

Definition of ICT Policy

The Oxford English Dictionary has defined “policy” as a course of action, adopted and pursued by a government, party, ruler, statesman. It is any course of action adopted as expedient or advantageous. Its operational definition of policy is a plan of action to guide decisions and outcomes.

Some Issues on ICT and Internet Policy and Regulations

Issues 1: Freedom of Expression and Censorship

Our constitution provides freedom of expression, which allows us to express our own thoughts. Article 10 of the Human Rights Act states "protects your right to hold your own opinion and to express them freely without government interference." These laws allow us to express ourselves in public or through the media. For example, it will assist our government in knowing our feelings or opinions about specific information, news, or their way of leading our country. And we may enlighten others about what is going on around us by sharing our thoughts on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and other media apps. Despite our freedom of expression, we sometimes fail to respect other people's perspectives, to the point where we forget the boundaries or personal limitations. Mr. Rendon Labador, for example, is a social media motivational speaker. He used his freedom to express himself, but it turned into discrimination towards others. As a result of what he did, he was banned from Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms in the Philippines. Although we have the right to express ourselves, we must ponder before speaking in public or on social media.

Censorship refers to the blocking or filtering of videos, information, or news. For example, a particular part of a video may need to be filtered. We can accomplish this by blocking or filtering it in order to prevent children from hearing or seeing it, as children are increasingly engaged in technology and the Internet. However, screening or blocking news, videos, or information has also its disadvantage like, we cannot know the truth behind a video or news story. We frequently encounter people on social media because they take advantage of technology and the internet to conceal the truth.

Issue No. 2: Privacy and Security

In today's generation wherein we all have access to internet and technology, security and privacy became more important to each and everyone. Privacy, in general, is one of the first rights that every individual deserves. Due to different technologies, it has become one of the most challenging human rights issues. These days, everyone is trying to prevent people from invading their privacy. Security is an issue that is of great importance these days, and many laws are trying to provide security for different people, like privacy, which has received more attention because of the advancement of technology, security is becoming more and more important as well, and people are increasingly trying to maintain their security. Some of the examples of problems when it comes to privacy and security are:

1. when a person uses someone’s pictures to make a dummy account, and

2. when someone is trying to hack and takeover your accounts.

To avoid your pictures from being stolen, set your account where in your social media friends only who will be able to see everything, only accept connection requests from people you know. I know you’ve heard it plenty of times, but it’s still true: only accept followers and friend requests from people you know. To protect your accounts from being hacked, create strong, unique passwords because Passwords are our first, and sometimes only, line of defense against hackers. It pays to make them as secure as possible.

When it comes to internet, ICT, and technology our safety, security and privacy is in our hands that why we must think before we click. We must be very careful and follow all the proper ways of using internet and technology. Let’s make our social media life safe and secure.

Issue No. 3: Surveillance and Data Retention

Dataveillance is the use of personal information to monitor a person’s activities while data retention is the storage and use of information from communication system.

Technology, no matter how big or small, is a key device/source of proof from which even the wealthy cannot escape. It is the eye of the world. It records everything, down to the slightest detail, and stores the truth with accuracy and precision. For example, we searched for sun screen on Tiktok. Sunscreen advertisements will be displayed on other social media apps. This is a portrayal of a digital footprint. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a digital footprint as "information about particular person that exists on the internet as a result of their online activity." It includes websites visited, emails sent, and information submitted online. When anything is shared online, it can be there indefinitely. As a result, we have to think before we click. Think of the possible outcomes of your action.

Issue No. 4: E-pollutants from E-waste

E-waste is a term that describes electronic products and equipment that have reached the end of their life cycle or caused by fast replacement of old devices with new ones that have better software. When not properly disposed of or recycled, e-waste can emit pollutants which is called e-pollutants. E-pollutants are the poisonous substances that e-waste produced when it’s not properly handled. ICT produces a lot of e-waste from specific devices that are used for different purposes. These devices include computers (desktops and notebooks), media (TVs and radios), phones (landlines and cellphones) and accessories (copiers, printers, and scanners). As humans are creating more innovative and efficient devices, old devices stock up on dumpsters or landfills. Such as Apple, they launch a newer version of iPhone, the iPhone 15 Pro, which uses a USB Type C port which has a great issue with Apple or iPhone users worldwide. With that change of ports, we expect that all lightning port cables will come at a time that we can see them on the dumpsters and landfills. E-waste piles up quickly because of the fast upgrade of software that makes equipment obsolete. Crushing can get rid of material waste, but careful handling is needed for the poisonous substances that come from the various devices which is harmful to humans and the environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, technology improves daily lives; we can access different social media platforms, it shows us the life that we wanted to be because of the high-tech technologies. These technologies have slowly taken an essential part in people’s day-to-day lives and being without them would be unimaginable for some of us. Internet is the best source to get various information and news around the world. Connectivity and communication takes up a big role on using the internet, it helps us with different role in achieving our dreams and goals in life. On the other hand, with the constantly evolving new developments in technology that attract us, distractions and problems are displayed everywhere because of excessive use of these systems and there are cases that had been addressed around the world. Health problems such addiction, depression, social isolation, and cybercrimes like committing fraud, stealing identities, violating privacy, and pornography are common problems that signifies proper ways on how to use of technology and internet in moderation. Therefore, boundaries and restrictions should be imposed to develop a healthy and safe relationship with technology. Reminding ourselves to be kind, respect people's privacy, set some boundaries and guidelines for interacting safely online.

Reflection:

As future teachers, we should be knowledgeable in internet and technology issues because they can pose challenges and barriers to the effective integration of ICT in teaching and learning, such as limited access, connectivity, support, training, time, and resources. As a result, teachers must understand how to teach effectively using appropriate methods and tools to guarantee that students achieve digital literacy and competency while fostering collaboration, creativity, and innovation.