The Demise of the Internet/Social Media

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BOOK: The Demise of the Internet and Social Media by Dr. Claude Simpson .....SYNOPSIS ...
Introduction:
The Internet, developed to unite the world and drive human progress forward, currently faces serious threats. Scam advertisements together with deceptive sales methods pose a threat to its integrity.
The Demise of the Internet and social media: Fake advertisements and deceptive sales tricks compromise the authenticity and reliability of an important technology intended to advance global progress.
Scammers are having fun. The act of crying encompasses more than just tear production.

Ethical Implications of Scam Ads on the Internet:
Every stakeholder committed to online platform trustworthiness needs to prioritize the ethical repercussions of digital ad fraud. According to Dr. Augustine Fou's Forbes article, ad fraud represents a sophisticated criminal activity which delivers high financial rewards while maintaining low risks (Fou, 2021).
The problem emerges when stakeholders who prioritize financial benefits ignore fraudulent activities that destroy public confidence. The reluctance of industry insiders to report misconduct due to concerns over job security and budget constraints shows a systemic breakdown in maintaining ethical standards.

Impact of Scam Ads on the Internet and Social Media Users:
Users of the Internet and social media face severe negative impacts from the widespread distribution of scam advertisements. The misuse of social media platforms by scammers leads to widespread financial losses. The FTC website hosts Emma Fletcher's report which reveals social media scams caused reported losses of $2.7 billion most of which came from people who are 18 to 29 years old (Fletcher, 2023).
The platforms’ design which allows scammers to take on fake identities and control user profiles worsens the existing problem. Undelivered goods and investment scams frequently occur in social media communities such as Facebook and Instagram. The simplicity with which scammers exploit unsuspecting users creates troubling implications for the future stability of such platforms.

The Role of Technology in Addressing Online Scamming and Hacking:
Technology functions as both a defensive tool and an offensive weapon within cyber security. The increased occurrence of scams and hacks due to technological development can be mitigated through proper technological usage.
Money Thumb reports that learning how scammers target victims is vital for blocking their attacks. To protect oneself from cunning cyber threats it is imperative to maintain heightened vigilance against phishing schemes and the misuse of hacked information (Money Thumb, 2023).

Combatting the Spread of Scam Ads on the Internet and Social Media:
The fight against scam advertisements requires a partnership between technological firms and legal entities. The joint efforts between social media companies and law enforcement agencies must focus on clear policy definitions and consistent updates according to the NAAG report on safeguarding vulnerable populations (NAAG, 2019).
Law enforcement agencies need to improve their communication efforts with relevant companies to create a continuous collaborative channel that can foresee and restrict scammer activities.

Protecting Consumers from Fake Ads and Sales Gimmicks on the Internet:
The barrage of false advertisements does not leave consumers undefended. The Federal Trade Commission and the FDA among other agencies vigorously enforce laws to protect people from deceptive advertising according to Law Info (Law Info, 2025).
Enforcement of state laws acts as a defensive mechanism which shields consumers from deceptive practices while protecting them against digital domain scams executed by fake salespeople.

The Influence of Scam Ads on the Credibility of the Internet and Social Media:
The widespread presence of scam advertisements damages the perceived trustworthiness of online and social media content. The rapid spread of fake news worsens this problem by frequently eclipsing authentic information sources.
PMC research findings show that fraudulent content propagation damages public trust while demonstrating the critical need for improved information verification practices in both personal and professional settings.

Conclusion:
Scam advertisements and misleading sales methods endanger the core structure of the Internet and social media which should symbolize human progress and cooperation. The solution requires technological intervention and a united approach through industry collaboration and regulatory frameworks to eliminate fraudulent activities. By taking these steps, we strengthen the Internet so that it serves as a solid base for authentic innovation and truthful connections.

References
Fletcher, E. (2023, October 6). Social media: a golden goose for scammers. Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2023/10/socia...
Fou, A. (2021, January 26). The Ethics Of Ad Fraud And Those Who Support It. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/augustinefou/2021/01/26/the-ethics-of-ad-fraud-and-...
NAAG. (2019, April 12). Protecting the Public and Vulnerable Populations from Fraudulent Scams. https://www.naag.org/attorney-general-journal/protecting-the-public-and-vulnerab...
MoneyThumb. (2023, February 21). How Technology Has Upped the Game for Scammers and How To Avoid Them. https://www.moneythumb.com/blog/how-technology-has-upped-the-game-for-scammers-a...
LawInfo. (2025, January 6). Protections for Misleading Ads and False Claims | LawInfo. https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/consumer-protection/consumer-fraud/protections...
PMC. (2025, March 8). Trust, Media Credibility, Social Ties, and the Intention to Share. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC886