How has access to the Internet affected you?

With access to the internet, I've been able to access information, connect with diverse individuals and learn about various opportunities (such as the AAYSP Digital Dialogue!).

Internet access is easy to obtain in Australia. Almost all households will have wifi, effective telecom infrastructure allows me to use mobile data on the go and large public spaces (such as libraries and museums) provide free internet access.

The internet has become essential to each aspect of my life, especially during COVID. I attend online classes, communicate with my friends digitally and most home-based entertainment options such as movies are accessible through the internet.

Access to affordable and accessible high-speed internet has provided me with significant benefits in terms of engaging with people internationally, accessing entertainment streaming and gaming services, and accessing global supply chains and markets.

It has been relatively easy to access the internet in Australia given the variety of telecom providers, availability of publicly accessible networks in libraries and shopping centres, and proliferation of internet-related infrastructure such as the NBN and 5G.

I could say I would have a hell of a hard time learning by books. Books are not that accessible here. Without the internet, I would be in the dark and will be easily manipulated. Now I can find what facts are true or not. I can listen to or watch other people's lived experiences. We, Myanmar, would have given up a lot quicker if we do not know the Internet the way we do today in Myanmar.

We help each other during this time. We share stories, we mourn and we celebrate together. The Internet provides a way to keep our movement alive to this date.

In today's fast-paced world, which is heavily reliant on technology such as the Internet, it cannot be denied that the Internet has transformed our lives, especially during this time of crisis.

Like the other delegates, I am fortunate to have Internet access. I use it for my online class, reading news, research, internships, and many other things. However, one disheartening reality in the Philippines is that not all Filipinos have access to the Internet for work or school. And not all Filipinos who have access to the Internet are well-informed enough to use it for positive outcomes. This clearly shows that the Internet has a significant impact on society. It can help lives as well as destroy lives.

Hence, we must continue to work toward the goal of narrowing the digital divide and advocating for internet safety and its proper usage.

Internet accessibility is multifaceted. In this time and age, especially for the privileged ones, internet gave birth to numerous possibilities and endless chances for people to be informed, educated, and persuaded. Personally, being able to access the multitude of websites which contains nonstop resources to my individual consumption is a concession. I am blessed to be a Filipino with internet access, even though inconsistent, because this has led to my pursuance of tertiary education in the midst of a global pandemic and has given me work and job opportunities to hone my skillset. However, this is a facet that I personally observe. On the flipside, I also have noticed that when internet accessibility falls in the wrong hands, problems may arise. In the Philippines, dozens of trolls and fake news unceasingly roam in the digital environment. This has caused the socio-political landscape to be hostile because of misinformation and disinformation (hoaxes, false theories, persuasive opinions). Overall, just like any other habit, internet consumption is good, but in moderation.

I think that the internet is like a double-edged sword. On one side, it has afforded myself and the people around me great advantages and access to bigger opportunities, like having more informed choices about the things that we want and aspire to be, unprecedented access to knowledge sources, and has tremendously helped me finish my university degree safely during the COVID-19 pandemic (I had to finish the last 1.5 years of my degree fully online). I've also seen how young people use the internet and social media as platforms for their activism to the cause that they resonate with, from the climate crisis to gender discrepancies. On the other side, I've seen how the internet brought complicated challenges unique to our generation that we still do not know yet how to effectively solve. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I've seen how easy and fast misleading information could spread and the impact it could have to people if they are not equipped with the tools and skills to fact-check information. Furthermore, I've also seen how many young people struggle with social media and screen addiction. Thus, the internet has both good and bad impacts in my life; although right now I do still think that the good outweighs the bad.

I am blessed to be a citizen of Singapore, where the share of population using the internet is 89.73%. I had to take my major national examinations at the end of 2020, a number of months after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With lockdown, it was vital for the learning and revision to continue. All lectures and tutorials were held online, and I am glad that the high accessibility of the Internet ensured that this transition was as smooth as possible.

I am incredibly lucky to live where the Internet is very affordable and accessible. Thanks to that, I was able to have access to many opportunities I could not afford otherwise. I was able to get materials for the SAT, went to multiple international debate tournaments all around the world, and gained invaluable experience through online events like the Digital Dialogues. The fact that these opportunities are available online has opened so many doors for my future plans, career.

Still, with the Internet being a bit too accessible I now have the awful habit of sitting for 8 hours everyday in front of a screen.