The Future of Free Speech, Trolls, Anonymity and Fake News Online
Many experts fear uncivil and manipulative behaviors on the internet will persist – and may get worse.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Many experts fear uncivil and manipulative behaviors on the internet will persist – and may get worse.
Different demographic groups think differently about scientific issues. For example, those more likely to think genetically modified food is unsafe include women, African-Americans and Hispanics, and those without college degrees. Those more likely to say parents should be able to decide whether to vaccinate their children include younger adults, Republicans and independents.
Despite broadly similar views about the overall place of science in America, there are striking differences between the public and scientists’ views on a host of science-related issues.
Experts foresee changes across all aspects of life as digital connectivity advances. They predict hyper-personalized interactions, 3D holograms, immersive virtual reality and a deepening dependency upon machines as we navigate our lives.
Will governments and corporations expand current tracking policies? Or will innovators create new ways for individuals to control personal information? Experts are divided on whether a secure and balanced privacy-rights infrastructure will be in place by 2025.
Lee Rainie discussed an extensive roster of expert predictions about the internet in the coming decade.
Experts believe nations, rogue groups, and malicious individuals will step up their assaults on communications networks, targeting institutions, financial services agencies, utilities, and consumers over the next decade. Many also predict effective counter moves will generally contain the damage.
Experts predict the Internet will become ‘like electricity’ — less visible, yet more deeply embedded in people’s lives for good and ill
Many experts say the rise of embedded and wearable computing will bring the next revolution in digital technology.
The overall verdict: The internet has been a plus for society and an especially good thing for individual users
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