Global news being accessible through the internet has increased our opportunities to become knowledgeable about global affairs exponentially. Not only has it increased our exposure, but news that greatly impacts a large group of people can spread life wildfire.
Their are certain drawbacks to this globalization, however. Their are countries such as China that are barred from looking at news that opposes their government or exposes their people to Western ideas. Their are countries where people do not have access to the internet, and are therefore totally left out of this wealth of information available to them on the internet.
Then their is the problem of extremist groups using the globalization of the internet to attract others to their cause. CNN reported that an estimated 180 Americans have been caught attempting to join ISIS who were mostly recruited online.
Three teenagers from Chicago were recently arrested for trying to join ISIS and were recruited through the use of the internet. The FBI estimates that ISIS is using slick propaganda in 23 languages to recruit people online. It is obvious in this scenario that the globalization of the internet could have disastrous effects. The problem then becomes, how do you police something that crosses many international barriers with various international laws, and is constantly changing?
These are the questions the United Nations and other International bodies are trying to solve. IsIs is only growing – and the internet has proven to be their biggest weapon so far.