Originally the Internet was created for communication purposes within the U.S. Defense Department, in the 1960’s, in case of a nuclear war, but not used by the U.S. Defense Department as intended until 911. Rumors of stenography and encrypted messages on the Internet by bin Laden operatives may have led to the widespread use of the Internet within U.S. intelligence agencies. It was determined by U.S. security specialists that Al Qaeda’s Internet messaging went unnoticed, because they were outside the realm of suspicion, and enabled them to hijack the planes. According to Hocomb, Bakelaar, and Zizzamia the Internet has changed in response to 911 that involve controversial matters between security and privacy that have yet to be resolved.
During the events of 911 the Internet was used by hijacked passengers to contact family members (via cell phones), and remained a viable communication system while others failed. Although some Internet communications were sluggish for a short period, news websites and others streamlined their homepages temporarily to accommodate the heavier traffic flow. Some companies diverted their servers to facilitate faster communications and packet switching also allowed messages to get through faster, adding to the success of the Internet during the crisis.
Microsoft developed an information site for loved ones in search of 911 victims and other corporations postponed advertising that seemed inappropriate at the time. Other constructive uses of the Internet after 911 were registry sites developed for the survivors and sites that instructed the public how to access help. Many sites were also used to raise funds for the victims and survivors such as the Red Cross proving the positive aspects of the Internet.
Hoaxes and hate speech were among some of the less appropriate uses of the Internet during 911 crises. Worse were those sites that tried to profit off of the attacks on the World Trade Center and sites that redirected users to propaganda sites, lending credibility to the negative uses of the Internet. Some sites were removed from the Internet by the F.B.I.
After the attacks on the twin towers many other sites were removed by the federal and state governments for security reasons, such as those providing information about nuclear plants and transportation. The Department of Homeland Security grew out of this fear of cyber-terrorism. Since that time there have been ongoing debates regarding wiretapping and other privacy issues that, prior to 911, were civil rights violations leading to further government mistrust.
Other misuses of the Internet by the media and private sectors, such as photo-manipulation that are terrorist related in subject matter, have increased our overall mistrust in our own government. A Zogby poll reports that half of all New Yorkers believe that the U.S. knew of the hi-jackers’ terrorist plots against the U.S. and did nothing to prevent them. But after all is said and done the Internet has proven itself useful as a weapon for terrorism as well as a mechanism for social bonding between many cultures. Hocomb, Bakelaar, and Zizzamia have successfully made their argument that the Internet can change due to global circumstances however controversial.
The Internet has also undergone other controversial changes on the issues of pornography vs. free speech. A good example would be child protective measures implemented to empower parents’ with the ability to block certain materials and sites not suited for children, as a result of Internet pedophilia or sexual predators that target and exploit children. Internet materials and sites regarding child pornography have become illegal and are suppose to have been removed from the Internet.
However, Internet pornography remains controversial. There are those groups that espouse the social benefits of pornography and their rights to free speech vs. others that argue that child pornography laws don’t go far enough, because they aren’t fool proof, and also that pornography in general exploits women and promotes degenerate behavior. Therefore, it may be said that the Internet can be used as an effective tool for sexual pleasure as well as a tool for sexual exploitaion.
