Benefits and Challenges of Using Online Platforms

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Benefits and Challenges of Using Online Platforms

As the world goes through globalization, digital platforms have proved somewhat integral, not mentioning how secure, efficient, and useful they make the processes flow. Online platforms are vital facilitators of global trade, convenience, and competitive development for various service delivery. The paper looks to address the benefits and challenges for individual citizens and the public services if the vast majority of people use online facilities to register to vote, apply for unemployment benefit, family counseling—also, the best way to deliver services.

Using online facilities to register to vote offers convenience to most voters. For example, in the state of Arizona, close to 80% voter registration happens online. Processing each voter’s document through a manual process cost the state approximately $0.80 more than online registration. A significant number of those who register online vote at a rate of 94% compared to 80% of the analog system. Voters can access their portals online to confirm their registration status. Problems arising before the election days are uncovered and resolved since online registrants get instant replies that verify their registration or updating their information successfully (Garnett, 2019). Also, clerical errors are significantly minimized by online registration, mostly common in the manual transcription of paper forms. It guarantees the registration of voters is accurate and reduces the likelihood of voters being turned away or delayed at the time of casting their ballots. Provided everyone can access the Internet, online registration warrants better security for registrants concerning their data. The online platform is more accessible and less forbidding.

On the contrary, online registration does not always guarantee better results, transparency, or efficiency whatsoever. Numerously, cases of system hacking have emerged, leading to elections being jeopardized or instead rigged. Some people tend to interfere with public service online systems for their selfish gains. We can say, online registration is not a hundred percent reliable. Also, in the cases where the Internet breaks down, it means there will be system delays, leading inconveniencies. Lastly, not all people can access the Internet or even can operate internet gadgets in the entire process of online voter registration (Kavanagh & Jones, 2017). It means that online registration is only suitable for those who can access the Internet and are familiar with system operation.

Using online facilities to apply for unemployment benefits offers convenience. Through online software, costly mistakes made by an applicant are detected and corrected since it raises before ones proceed to the next step. The applicant’s data is stored in a central database where it can be sorted and accessed. It is also a faster method compared to analog systems. The online application is faster, and applicants are reduced to the heavy burden of traveling costs to access those services and even long queues in those offices. It only takes a few minutes while applying online, thus saving time and money. Applying for unemployment benefits online offers some privacy since you do not have to disclose your issues to some random people the reason for application. Some people feel offended having to tell their stories to strangers and, even at times, may end up misjudging them.

Online application for unemployment benefit is an excellent application method, but at the same time, it does not offer guarantees. At times, people create random crone websites with details like genuine ones, and applicants might find themselves displaying their data to unknown people who take advantage of them. To individuals who have problems using digital systems might find themselves risking the little benefit they apply to the scammers. Instances where a person forgets log out an account after accessing the services in a cybers and another person, uses the same computer might lead to identity theft or even compromise an account.

Getting access to a family relationship problem can effectively work through online facilities. Families going through challenging times can access advice from online facilities. The Internet offers various topics about relationships and family issues, and people can always access the Internet to find answers on whatever the problems they might be having. On the contrary, the Internet may not be an ideal platform for getting the advice since some massages are challenging to interpret their real intentions, not to mention the damage they might cause in the process.

In conclusion, face-to-face services are better delivered compared to the phone. Through face-to-face, one can gauge the quality of services being rendered to you, which is not the case for the phone. On the phone, people tend to be unreal; even worse, it is difficult to know if they are attending to your issues or just doing their businesses. Face-to-face offers a platform for negotiation, and even the parties involved can have a mutual understanding of exactly what each party wants. Moreover, there is a proper understanding among the parties involved concerning service delivery.

References

Garnett, H. A. (2019). Evaluating Online Registration: The Canadian Case. Election Law Journal: Rules, Politics, and Policy, 18(1), 78-92.

Kavanagh, O., & Jones, S. (2017). The Pros and Cons of Using Personal Response Systems in an Interactive Scientific Debate. British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 19(2), 1-11.