The Worldwide Web: The Positive Impacts of the Internet on Society
The development and the progression of internet usage are one of the most vital advancements made in the history of human civilization. Every facet of modern contemporary society is connected to and integrated with internet usage, including education, medicine, and news, among other essential aspects of society. The internet has reduced the world into a global village, connecting even the remotest part of the world. The proliferation of social media usage, especially among the young generation, is a notable feature of the internet that has changed crucial aspects of life. Similarly, the internet has equally changed how business and entrepreneurship work in the modern day. Online transactions, business advertisements, and deals have been integrated into technology to increase efficiency and productivity. Likewise, politics revolutionized through the internet with increased participation among the public. However, the internet is also associated with numerous negative impacts, mainly linked to addiction and overreliance on the internet. Opposers of the internet argue that it affects the social and mental well-being of addicted users (Quaglio 8).
Similarly, opponents argue that the internet increases access to harmful and dangerous information detrimental to young users’ growth and development. Nonetheless, internet usage is valuable if the use is controlled and monitored. The internet has positively impacted society as it has enhanced communication and social connectivity improved commerce, and provide tools for learning and development.
The growth of internet usage has hugely impacted how people communicate and interact by enhancing social connectivity. The internet ensures effective and faster communication among users from around the globe. Instant messaging through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and other messaging applications like e-mail has enhanced communication. Faster and more efficient communication improves productivity by reducing the time spent on other traditional forms of communication and interaction (Huizer et al. 5). Similarly, the internet enables users to meet and interact with new people, thus enhancing the social network (Castells 136). Social media platforms give users opportunities to create new relationships and connections. In this digital age, networking is crucial for improving knowledge and experience in various fields. Likewise, interacting with people with varied outlooks on life improves users’ understanding of the people around them and the world in general. The internet offers a seamless communication medium that is crucial for understanding the vital aspects of one’s environment, including what is happening in other parts of the world that have global impacts (Diomidous 1). Social relations formulated online translate to the physical world because people become more aware of their surroundings and other people’s experiences. With the internet, users are more likely to meet people with the same insights and outlooks on life. Similarly, the internet has also enhanced the likelihood of formulating romantic relationships through dating applications and digital platforms. The internet has enhanced work-life balance as users preoccupied with other commitments, such as work and family, can still interact and connect with new people faster and efficiently.
Correspondingly, the internet has revolutionized how businesses operate and reach out to target customers. The development of electronic commerce, commonly known as e-commerce, has enhanced the interaction between customers and entrepreneurs. Customer satisfaction is a vital aspect of business success enhanced by the internet through feedback and direct communication with business providers (Dentzel 16). Through data collection, organizations determine the preferences of their customers and feedback on the services provided by certain enterprises. Through such communication, a business can easily customize its services and products to meet specific and unique customer requirements. Likewise, business models, including small enterprises, can monitor how customers interact with their products by monitoring traffic data and customer reviews. Huizer and his colleagues point out that through the internet, enterprises can reach out to customers in other parts of the world faster and more efficiently (4). Online shopping has modernized customer experience, as seen with the success of large corporations such as Amazon and Alibaba. Local businesses and small corporations’ benefit from the internet by advertising their products and services, leading to the growth of their customer niche (Dentzel 17). Online transactions, including online banking and payment methods, have equally increased the growth of businesses, ranging from small to medium enterprises, improving a country’s economy. Similarly, the growth of internet commerce has created new employment opportunities, especially for the youth, who comprise the most significant percentage of internet users. Internet content creators and influences play a crucial role in the growth and success of e-commerce.
The internet provides tools for learning and development by providing access to an array of information. The internet gives users access to various information sources, including resources and study materials that widen their knowledge and experiences. Through the internet, users can access online libraries and sources that would be costly and time-consuming. Users conduct comprehensive research on the internet on various subjects within a short duration and more efficiently by comparing data and information across verifiable internet sources (Alam et al. 622). Traditional learning institutions have incorporated online resources and classes that increase access to education and information for people worldwide. Students nowadays do not have to physically attend an institution to access courses in a given institute, as they are available online. Therefore, the internet increases access to information and education that enhances users’ growth and development in various fields of learning (Dentzel 10). According to Poushter and his colleagues, the internet broadens students’ learning experience as they access various fields, which helps them choose a specific field of interest. For young learners, the internet improves their creativity and innovative skills by offering an array of data and resources (Fatema et al. 73). Such learning experiences are vital for improving an individual’s autonomy and self-expression as they become more confident and expressive. With the internet, users can express their opinions and participate in discussions of critical issues, including political, social, and economic debates (Castells 143). Individuals feel value in sharing insights and information about specific vital societal issues through social networks. Social media campaigns increase awareness and information about social and political issues, influencing individuals to call for change and improvements.
Conversely, opponents of the internet argue that it harms users’ social and mental well-being, especially the youth and young children. Opponents argue that the internet affects the development of individuals’ intellectual and social skills as they become addicted to the internet (Alam et al. 626). Such a viewpoint bases its argument on the issues connected with addiction to the internet, primarily social media usage. Critics of increased internet usage believe it interferes with a person’s psychological and interpersonal connection skills as they get accustomed to online interaction, reducing physical activity and interaction (Quaglio). Fatema and her colleagues reiterate that social media addiction affects users’ physical and mental health, who gradually become lazy and withdrawn from society (76). Opponents argue that the internet increases access to harmful and dangerous content such as pornographic material and discriminatory information (Quaglio 6). Also, antagonists argue that the internet spreads false information that ostracizes specific populations. Diomidous points out that the internet has also inadvertently promoted antisocial traits such as cyber terrorism, cyberbullying, cyber suicide, and cyber racism (2). However, such negative impacts of the internet are mitigated through controlled and monitored internet usage, especially for young users. Parents can limit the time and the content their children access the internet. Older adults can equally control their access to specific sites and improve their safety through security features that prevent information theft. Through self-evaluation and self-care, social media addiction can incorporate habits and practices that complement online interactions with physical activity.
Overall, the internet benefits contemporary society by increasing communication and social connectivity, enhancing commerce, and improving access to information and learning resources. The internet gives users access to various tools and features that improve their connection and interaction with others, enhancing their independence and expression. Similarly, the internet enables increased public participation in discussing critical social, political, and economic issues affecting people from various parts of the globe, fostering change and improvements. With technology, people can connect with their loved ones, including friends and families, faster and more efficiently, irrespective of location. Although the internet may also be associated with negative influence that affects a person’s social and meant well-being, controlled usage mitigates the graveness of harmful impacts. Numerous lifestyle changes have proven beneficial in countering the adverse effects of internet usage, including isolation, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, and mental health problems. The discovery of the internet has undoubtedly revolutionized all aspects of modern society, and thus its usage cannot be avoided but controlled.
Work Cited
Alam, Syed Shah, et al. “Negative and positive impact of internet addiction on young adults: Empirical study in Malaysia.” Intangible Capital 10.3 (2014): 619–638.
Castells, Manuel. “The impact of the internet on society: a global perspective.” Change 19 (2014): 127-148.
Dentzel, Zaryn. “How the internet has changed everyday life.” Change 19 (2013).
Diomidous, Marianna, et al. “Social and psychological effects of the internet use.” Acta informatica medica 24.1 (2016): 66.
Fatema, Kaniz, et al. “Impact of using the Internet on students: A sociological analysis at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman science and technology university, Gopalganj, Bangladesh.” Open Journal of Social Sciences 8.12 (2020): 71–83.
Huizer, Erik, et al. “A brave new world: How the internet affects societies.” Internet Society (2017).
Poushter, Jacob, James Bell, and Russ Oates. “Internet Seen as Positive Influence on Education but Negative on Morality in Emerging and Developing Nations.” Pew Research Center (2015).
Quaglio, Gianluca. “Potentially negative effects of internet use.” European Parliamentary Research Service (2020)
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