In our contemporary society, the Internet is an intrinsic and inseparable aspect of everyday life for most people on the planet, to the extent that some even feel discomfort without being able to access it. Indeed, the Internet does not only provide incredible opportunities but is an indispensable means for communicating with the world, receiving and sharing information, doing business, accessing public services, and all other essential functions. Digital technology completely pervades and almost dominates our entire life.

Yet paradoxically, the Internet is independent of the laws of individual states, with the exception of legal acts on the protection and process of information and digitalization. At the same time, the Internet poses serious threats which the demands that the global Internet community must respond to critical risks posed regarding the protection of personal data of users around the world, ethics, equal access, freedom of speech, reliability of information, copyright, and other issues.

Equally important is the ever increasing and expansive abuse of the Internet with user accounts infiltrated by virus programs, fraud, ransomware and hacking. This calls for the urgent need to review and upgrade policies of receiving, providing and using personal data of the Internet community, as well as the requirements for software and equipment that processes and stores important data. Attention must also be paid to the use of the dark web, encryption and other concealed modes of internet operations used for radicalizing innocent populations, recruiting fighters by terrorist organizations and spreading hate crimes and violent extremism.

The escalating threats of cybercrime and cyber warfare need immediate action to prevent attacks on the banking, commercial, transport and telecommunications system as well as on critical infrastructure that can complete cripple societal functioning.

Of equal relevance is the safety of children and adolescents in the Web world. It is no secret that nowadays many children, even of preschool age use different gadgets with access to the Internet to view entertainment content. Teenagers use the Internet as one of the main sources of getting all kinds of information, whether it be school assignments, hobbies, entertainment or other activities. Moreover, they spend a lot of time on social networks and instant messengers which impact their learning performance and even warp their sense of values and morality due to exposure to undesirable elements on the Internet.

If even adults are caught in the trap of not always being able to filter content judiciously, adolescents are all the more vulnerable. Consequently, large segments of our population receive inaccurate and unverified information, which is taken for truth, ending up in unfavorable communities, associating with dubious individuals and viewing prohibited content.

These are just a few of the numerous hazards. The list is countless. It is up to the world community to avail fully of the immeasurable gains of the Internet and yet have an open dialogue on best practices and find a balance between regulation and personal rights and freedoms. This is the greatest challenge of our time.

The Internet Governance Forum is absolutely vital in addressing these issues and seeking common ground regarding regulations, processes and mechanisms in light of the structure of the Web and the processes taking place in it. Hence, an international platform, such as the IGF, serve as the compass to ensure confidence in a safe and open future for the Internet.