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Introduction
A Comfort Zone Online
Silvia C. Petig

Surfing the internet on a daily basis, the dangers are often forgotten, simply neglected, because we have gotten so used to the familiarity of being online. But the hidden dangers of the World Wide Web hit close to home when we least think about it...  [Full text]

Data Traces
Anton F. Guhl

In Galway, Ireland, Mike just changed his "status of relationship" from "romance" up to "faithful partner relationship", he thought it was right to announce this personal development on the Internet student network on which he signed up to. Across the ocean in Muncie, Indiana, John bought a pack of condoms, paying with his discount-card. In Grenôble, France, Nathalie looked for the theatre program with a search engine. In Germany, Tony travelled by train from Hamburg to Berlin. They all have one thing in common. They left traces of data.  [Full text]

Safety on the Internet: Protecting Children in "Cyberspace”
Marta J. Neüff

New innovations often bring along new risks. This has also been the case with the internet. On the one hand it provides the user new options of communication and information-access, on the other hand it exposes us to potential dangers like illegal content, viruses, harassment (e.g. in chatrooms) or the misuse of personal data. Especially children and young people should be therefore protected from these risks which they are often unaware of. In the last several years the media often reported on numerous extreme cases of misusing  the internet. Sides exposing child pornography, platforms for extremists, violence in games or home-made movies are just a few examples. The media attention has woken up the public consciousness and various campaigns have been started to prevent further Web crimes and especially to make the net safer for its youngest users.  [Full text]

The Need to Catch Up or E-Networking in Online Times
Irka Hieke
Can anybody survive without a network? This is the question. Why is it necessary to network? First of all, networking is not an invention of the dot.com age. It has been always there, essential for trade, commerce and one’s own comfort. Growing up in a time and state where it was not usual to get what you want when you want it and where want it, it was crucial to be well connected. Back then it was always like “I know somebody, who knows somebody, who might have just what you need when you can offer something in return.” Without connections you were lost for good.
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The New Technology: Impacts on the Press and on Social Relationships
Christina Rieger

Technology grows faster and faster. Today it is possible to do almost everything via the internet: go shopping, listen to the radio, watch TV, communicate with people from all over the world or read newspapers online are just a few examples of all the possibilities there are today. The increasing use of the internet, however, has diverse implications on the press and also changes people’s way of communication.  [Full text]

Politicians on the Web: How and What for?
MAREK A. CICHECKI



"Politicians used to put out leaflets with pictures of their family and pet dog and copies of their lousy speeches and it would be enough. Unfortunately many politicians now just create a web site with pictures of their family and pet dog and their lousy speeches but it is not good enough", stated Stephen Coleman of the Oxford Internet Institute after the 2001 elections in the UK1.


So do or can the politicians deal with opportunities and dangers of the emerging Web society? In what ways does the Web influence politics?  [Full text]