There is a good side and a bad side to everything-and that includes the Internet. As the latest product of the “technological revolution”, the Internet has ushered in a new era of global information. Nevertheless, along with conveniences, it has brought mankind new problems to solve.

There is no denying that the Internet can vastly improve the efficiency of scientific research; it allows scientists swift access to all the data and research findings in their fields available worldwide. Moreover, as information is as valuable as any material resource, anyone who has access to the Internet has a competitive advantage in business over those who don't. Last but not least, the Internet has made personal communication both more convenient and more rapid.

While there is a great deal of enthusiasm nowadays over the advantages of the Internet, its drawbacks should not be neglected. For one thing, the construction of links to the system requires a huge amount of investment, which can be a strain on budget of a developing country. For another, not all the information available on the Internet is either useful or harmless; subversive and pornographic items can infiltrate the messages downloaded by people unfamiliar with the "web".

But, all in all, I would say that the pros outweigh the cons. As the world economy becomes more and more closely integrated, any country which falls behind in the "information race" will become economically backward. The Internet, if properly managed, holds the key to success in the 21st century.