Introduction
With no single doubt, the Internet has indeed turned around, or better still, changed the ways in which people live and interact among themselves. The influence of the internet on society is multifaceted. It seemingly appears as though every aspect of the digital or modern world has been changed by the internet, be it in communication, education, business transactions, entertainment etc. In this paper, I will give analysis and explanations on how the Internet has impacted the overall life of the society, as well as every individual in particular.
Availability of Information
Internet is a powerful resource that has a mixture of good and bad information. Collier (2015) observed that Internet has revolutionized access to information and knowledge. Thus, regardless of what one wants to study or learn it is guaranteed that one would find something useful on the internet: how to bake a cake, learn a foreign language, perform the latest dance moves or many other things including answering some simple questions. Today, people often seek information and knowledge through internet rather than books and other amides. It sounds like searching for something on Google comes to people’s mind. Nowadays, such platforms like Wikipedia, Encyclopedia, journals, online newspapers and other resources have lots of materials to cover every need. This is very beneficial to the public since it opens lots of opportunities for self-education and self-development.
Enhanced Communication
Internet has revolutionized the way information is transmitted by making it better and more efficient. Email, social networks, messaging applications enable people to communicate everywhere with their friends, family, and business partners in a real time mode. Such services as Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become a must for remote work and online meetings. Facebook, Twitter or Instagram allow people to express themselves and their thoughts and share the life and experiences.
E-learning and Online education
The growth of eLearning websites and online courses has made education extremely easy, affordable and accessible. This can be demonstrated by websites such as Coursera, Khan Academy, and Udemy which have a catalogue of courses in diverse fields, that can be taken at an individual’s discretion from anywhere around the globe. Even colleges and schools have incorporated this type of education by introducing e-classrooms and separate student resources. This kind of flexibility has created educational options for many people who would have otherwise been unable to pursue regular forms of education, improving the access to education.
Business and E-commerce
The advancement of the internet has enhanced business prospects and opportunities for many people. Online platforms such as amazon and eBay facilitate businesses to have a world market. Promotion of goods and services is now done through online adverts and social platforms. There is no longer any need for small businesses to be crushed by bigger corporations as they can now use the internet to market their products and sell them. Due to increased usage of platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, the gig economy has also grown with several freelancers being employed all around the world.
Social Connectivity and Communities
Sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide new virtual communities that allow people to exchange ideas, share experiences, or put their interest together. Along with this, these sites have become one of the fastest spreading means of activism and campaigning for a variety of causes. Forums and groups create platforms for associating with people with shared opinions, acquiring expertise, and getting help and assistance. For people who are left out or otherwise lonely in the real world, this collective nature of camaraderie can be invaluable.
Entertainment and Creativity
The internet has indeed, changed the game in the entertainment sector. This is so because it has made it quite simple and easy to stream movies, listen to music, and or play games. For Netflix, Spotify or YouTube, they are some of the services that allow even the most fastidious users to find contents that fit their preferences. What is more, the internet has become a site of millions of creative people, where they are able to showcase their work, regardless of their occupation —whether they are artists, writers, musicians, or anyone else. Creative economies such as Kickstarter and Patreon allow creators to expose their ideas and seem to an audience.
Conclusion
The main strength of the internet is its power to link us together, the availability of information resources, and opportunities for education and development.
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