The internet has grown by leaps and bounds from its primitive beginnings over thirty years ago. And while Gregory M. Lamb, a writer for the Christian Science Monitor acknowledges its growth, he compares the internet to a rambunctious teenager going through its awkward period. Two of the major issues surrounding the future of the internet are the security and censorship/content regulation.

Again With the Security

Internet authorities claim that the growing threat of security breaches over the internet may someday bring the currently wide open environment to its knees. Problems that have risen from these security failures or oversights include viruses, identity theft, as well as spam and pop-ups that may lead to an online scam.

Censorship/Content Regulation

The idea of censorship and the regulation of content can really be divided into many different areas. The first is simple: the basic information and content that is being presented on the page. The prime example of this would be sites devoted to pornography. The other is more of an issue of what is happening within the internet dimension. An example of this may be illegal music downloads and music file trading. Musicians, like the famous metal band Metallica, as well as several other members of the Recording Industry Association of America are not thrilled about what online file sharing is doing to the music industry.

The question for lawmakers, both nationally and worldwide, becomes how to regulate these ambiguous sources. The internet is no longer just a place for academics and scientists to explore and exchange ideas. It is still a place of education, but it has also become a place for entertainment and pleasure. Lawmakers must determine how they intend to regulate potentially disturbing online sites, while simultaneously protecting free speech. They will also have to negotiate the mire of copyright laws and online file sharing issues.

What the Future Holds

One of the most recent technical advances for the internet has been the creation of Internet2. With a speed that is 1000 times the speed of broadband, Internet2 operates in the Abilene Network as opposed to the net.