There is so much to commend the internet for. As a device for giving quick information, a range of differentiated sources, and immediacy for debate it cannot be beaten. Wikipedia has now become the established means by which you can pick up a biography of individuals that you need to find something out about rapidly. The fact that this is contributed to on a voluntary basis is all the more impressive.
But there is the rub. Because so much of the effort invested is voluntary and speed is deemed more important than accuracy you cannot rely on what is written as being fact and if used as such then this can cause you problems.
The other issue that has caused me increasing unease is that the net has become a weapon for seeing out feuds and squabbles in the most underhand of manners. Now I have no problem with there being proper debate and the net gives so many good opportunities for this, but too often as I have written before that it has become the conduit for prejudice and personal animus. That is why I have argued in Parliament that the cloak of anonymity should be removed. I know that the poison pen letter has always been with us, but such is the effort this requires you tend to measure these in handfuls whereas it is so much easier to use the net to heap abuse on others and this can remain permanently on view.
I actually think that this devalues not just politics but the way that our society now operates as it encourages the basest of human characteristics rather than the best. I shall save my remarks on social networking and how this is changing the world of young people on another occasion suffice to say that this is not altogether good either!
That is why I am so keen to see the net return to its first and primary use as a source of information. That is why I am pleased to see that Tim Berners-Lee one of the founders of the world-wide web has been tasked to look at how much more public information can be made available. In this he is working with Professor Nigel Shadbolt an expert on artificial intelligence and communication. Recently I have talked to Ordnance Survey about this and they are keen to put many more maps and mapping devices onto the net. For teachers this is a marvellous resource and for all of us a wonderful opportunity to access knowledge that will open up plenty of new avenues for learning and exploring our world in general.
Additionally I do continue to worry how young people can be sucked into situations by paedophiles and others. Whilst controls on these peoples activities are now better all parents need to be on their continuing guard about how such individuals operate and how the internet is their most important conduit for making contact with vulnerable youngsters.
To be able to find out so much, so easily is vitally important nowadays to the way in which we all live but let us make sure that we recognise the ethical dimension in how it is used and reduce if not end the threat of evil-doing.
David Drew
MP for the Stroud Constituency