Social Impact of the Internet: What We've Lost and What We've Gained

The internet has had an enormous impact on society since its introduction to the world in 1991, and that impact continues to grow daily. It has opened up unlimited opportunities for new business, new technology, and new communication between people that didn’t exist before the internet. However, it’s also led to some negative impacts on society, such as a decrease in social interactions face-to-face and an increase in internet addiction and cyber bullying. The following article will explore some of the most significant impacts the internet has had on society and the pros and cons of these impacts.

INTRODUCTION

In less than 20 years, computers have gone from expensive niche items to essential tools for most people. In 2009, 99% of US households had a computer or access to one. Internet usage has increased since its inception in 1992, with over 12 billion page views each day on just Google alone. With any new major innovation, there are considerable gains in efficiency but also changes that affect what is lost. It's only natural that with our ever increasing dependency on technology, we need to be aware of how these changes will impact our lives, both individually and as a society at large. So what are some of these impacts?

How we used to live in a society

Before society was dominated by technology, life was much more straightforward. People lived in self-sufficient rural communities; they grew their own food, and they raised animals for food, tools, clothing and other purposes. People would socialize with their neighbours either at town gatherings or family gatherings. Most people would work a small farm throughout their whole lives to earn a living. Communities are much smaller now than they used to be, and neighbours don't talk as often. Instead of visiting each other regularly, we interact through technology such as phones, cars, trains, planes and many other technologies that help us communicate faster with our friends and families around the world without even seeing them in person.

Social Networks

The most significant benefit from social networks is their ability to connect us with others. Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, connecting online has never been easier. Online communities have given us access to the information we could not previously find. This can range from celebrity gossip to how-to tutorials for completing a DIY project. It’s also more accessible than ever before to stay in touch with friends and family members who live far away; no matter where you live in the world, you are only a click away from people no matter where you are located in the world.

Is there any hope for a better future?

As a result of the internet, we have been able to connect with each other like never before. It’s even allowed us to crowdsource solutions for some of our biggest problems, allowing inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs around the world to collaborate like never before. But it’s also given rise to one of our biggest problems our addiction to social media and technology. Addiction isn’t just a physical problem; it can also become an emotional one that slowly creeps into your life and turns you away from healthy habits. To deal with our society's addiction, it might help for us all to ask ourselves what we're genuinely hoping for when we use social media or rely too much on technology.

Internet Risks

Of course, one potential downside to being online 24/7 is that it can have an additive effect. We are often distracted by

social media sites, email inboxes, news feeds and other distractions from our daily lives. Often times, it's not easy to be productive if you're constantly looking at the screen rather than living in the now and being present in the moment when you have the chance to do so. At their worst, these technologies can actually interfere with healthy living and even lead to health problems themselves. Cell phones cause dangerous driving accidents; video games promote sedentary lifestyles; porn leads to erectile dysfunction among men under 30 years old; Facebook causes depression or isolation among some users; Twitter helps terrorists coordinate attacks; TV makes us overweight... You get the picture!

Why has our social life changed?

Since we can now connect with just about anyone at any time, we’ve become more selective with whom we want to interact. This has changed how people deal with personal relationships, too—not only in regards to who they make friends with but also in regards to their partner. To make it easier for ourselves, we often use Tinder or other dating apps. While Tinder is supposed to be used purely for connecting singles based on a mutual attraction, many users end up using it as a tool for casual sex; something that our grandparents never had access to when looking for a mate.

Internet addiction

A 2016 World Health Organization report estimates that 1.2 billion people worldwide about 18% of humanity used social media regularly in 2015, a number projected to grow to 2.6 billion by 2020. But with those connections comes a darker side. Some users have expressed concern about their excessive usage, and people have begun talking about Internet addiction as an increasingly common problem. While it might sound like an overblown response to our new way of life, Internet addiction is actually a real disorder now recognized by psychiatrists, who see patients struggling with its effects every day.

Internet Security

There is no doubt that Internet users have access to a wide variety of information on the Internet that can be of great use to them. It allows us to connect with anyone, anywhere, at any time. However, that ability comes with some risks as well. When it comes to online security, there are important things we can do to protect ourselves and others from fraud, scams, identity theft and other threats. Credit card numbers and identities should never be stolen or used fraudulently. By being mindful about what you post online (especially about yourself), you’ll go a long way toward ensuring that your private data remains safe.

Online Grooming

Your children are growing up in a digital world. The importance of understanding and monitoring their online activity has never been greater. Make sure your kids do not become victims of 'grooming', a process by which offenders build trust with children, usually under false pretenses, in order to gain access to them sexually. Know how your child uses social media (or any online platforms they use), and be aware that they may be receiving unsolicited ‘friend’ requests from unknown individuals.

CONCLUSION

The internet has fundamentally changed how we live, learn, and connect. A few decades ago, if someone were to tell you that you could video chat with someone across a whole country for free and get access to information from anywhere in a matter of seconds, you wouldn’t believe them. The internet has literally reshaped our world in many ways, for better or worse. One thing’s for sure: it’s safe to say technology will continue changing exponentially.