Civics Today Citizenship, Economics, & You

"Regulating the Internet"

Introduction
The Internet is a mass communication system of millions of networked computers and databases all over the world. Governments, banks and industries, students, senior citizens, and many others use it. How has this vast network of computers spread? Is anyone in charge of it? In this activity you will learn about the growth of the Internet.

Destination Title: Nerds 2.0.1

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Directions
Start at the PBS online feature Nerds 2.0.1.

• Click on Nerds 2.0.1.
• Scroll down to read the information presented, and click at the bottom of the screen to read the “Next Section” of the presentation.
• Navigate through each section of the feature.

1			What was the forerunner to the Internet?
2			What two companies were most responsible for the growth of personal computers?
3			Who came up with the name “World Wide Web”?
4			What problem do some experts predict for the Internet?
5			In a relatively short period of time, computer technology and use has increased dramatically. Try to imagine what computers and the Internet will be like in another 20 years. What new technology will be available? How will people use computers and the Internet in their day-to-day lives? To what extent will the government regulate the Internet? Write a one-page essay predicting the future of computer technology.