Effects of the Internet on Society
The invention of computers is a great achievement globally. Internet connection, on the other hand, came to facilitate operations in the computer era. The internet has played a significant role in the transformation of the world to what it is currently. The internet is a system whereby computers are connected, and one can share information and communicate with them. Interconnection of computers has numerous effects, both positive and negative on human life and society at large.
The internet has played a large role in research. It is through the internet researchers can access information. Availability of information from various sources has awakened researchers’ and scientists’ urge to find out more and add to the existing knowledge. In learning institutions, the internet is useful in making distant learning successful. Distant learning is whereby the tutor and the student do not meet physically for lectures but use other platforms and make use of the internet to learn. Tutors can chat with their students, send videos of tutorials, and assess the students online. The internet has therefore made education accessible across the world. The internet has also played a critical role in the business world (Su & Lee, 2010). Use of the internet has a cost-saving effect on businesses. Before the use of the internet, workers had to travel a lot for meetings, a cost which has been reduced by the use of the internet since workers can now use video conferencing. Video conferencing has made life easier for workers too since they do not have to be away from their families for some meetings. The internet can also be used as a marketing tool. Use of online marketing platforms has helped businesses grow and reach potential clients who couldn’t be accessed by use of personal selling. Use of internet in businesses has made it flexible in that one can work from anywhere not necessarily from the office. Indeed the internet is useful in research, learning, and marketing.
The internet has also played a huge role in the social well-being of individuals. The emergence of social media platforms like Facebook has connected people to the outside world. Human beings are social beings. Social media has enabled people to share experiences and goals thereby forming support groups to support one another. The internet offers social connection anywhere thus keeping relationships active at each party’s convenience. New relationships are developed, and social ties are formed. The internet is also an entertainment tool. The use of the internet can access funny clips, music videos, and movies. Entertainment is therapeutic in stress relieving. The entertainment industry has grown and talents discovered through these interconnections. The internet also helps people overcome loneliness. Interactions on the internet build people emotionally and create a network to get emotional support. Social media platforms can be used by like-minded persons engage in great courses, for instance, helping people in hunger-stricken regions. Awareness is created in these platforms, and people come together and assist in needy situations. The internet has also played a role in saving lives. Availability of call-center numbers online has helped in preventing suicide missions, and victims are assisted out of the situation.
Although the use of the internet through social media platforms is beneficial, it is also detrimental to the psychological well-being of individuals (Amedie, 2015). Social media platforms can lead to depression. People create a perfect picture of their lives in social media and others may find it challenging to live by the already set standards. People strive to achieve the unrealistic perception of having a perfect life on social media which results in anxiety leading to stress. People who cannot compare to the rest on social platforms are adversely affected and get into depression. Social media platforms have also been used to con people. Some people use these platforms to seek sympathy, and in the real sense, they are not in any trouble. People may fall into the trap and end up contributing for a course that is not worth, losing their hard-earned money. Social media platforms can also be used in bullying. Cyber bullying makes people feel unhappy, unwanted, and in the end, may lose confidence in themselves. Cyberbullying can lead to depression and in extreme cases may lead to suicide. Racism can also be propagated online by making racist comments. Online platforms however beneficial they can be, if misused bring adverse effects to people.
The internet is where information flows. There is a risk of information landing into unauthorized hands. Criminals may use the information available on the internet to carry out their malicious intentions. Internet security has to be maintained to avoid such an instance. The internet has also brought about electronic gambling. Gambling is addictive and is a potential risk of financial loss (Diomidous et al., 2016). Children and adults are becoming addicted to online games, and at times the content available is not appropriate for them. There is the access of pornographic material on the internet and children’s minds may be corrupted leading to an immoral society.
The internet has transformed the world today. The internet has brought convenience and availability of information. The internet has brought prosperity and advancement in human life. The internet also has also brought filth in society when misused. In the current era of technology, control must be exercised to benefit from the internet.
References
Amedie, J. (2015). The impact of social media on society.
Diomidous, M., Chardalias, K., Magita, A., Koutonias, P., Panagiotopoulou, P., & Mantas, J. (2016). Social and psychological effects of internet use. Acta Informatica Medica, 24(1), 66.
Su, G. G., & Lee, J. (2010). Is the Creation of Internet Beneficial to Humanity.