Although the internet has only been widely used for a couple of decades, it's hard to imagine life without it. We use Google, Facebook, and countless other websites on a daily basis to look up information, connect with people, and find entertainment. But what are the effects of the internet and online communities on society, business, and other areas of life? Because the internet is so pervasive in our society today it's easy to overlook some of its effects. Here are some of the ways the online world has transformed the way we live.
Effects Of The Internet On Socializing
The internet and, certainly, social media, have impacted the way we relate to one another. Kids who have grown up with Facebook, Snapchat, and other social sites can scarcely imagine a world in which people could only talk in person or even on the phone. Even older people have quickly come to take online communication for granted.
One of the biggest changes wrought by the internet is the expectation that people are always available. The smartphone, of course, is partly responsible for this. However, people are increasingly using smartphones and other mobile devices to communicate on social media sites. In the past, it was understood that people were sometimes busy and unavailable. If someone was sleeping, at work, or out and about, you had to wait to talk to them. Now, we increasingly expect our friends, family members, and work colleagues to respond within seconds. This situation has made it harder for people to find downtime or privacy. True, we can always disconnect from our devices. This, however, may be seen as rude or antisocial in a culture that's online 24/7.
Another aspect of the social media culture is that we are increasingly broadcasting even the most minor and trivial aspects of our lives online. From our breakfast foods to our television watching choices, people use social media to tell the world about the smallest details of their everyday lives. This can be seen as the online version of small talk. Even in eras gone by, we might have asked someone what they had for dinner. Now, however, we get to know this instantly, and even see a picture or video even if our friends are miles away.
Instant Access To Information
Another major effect of the internet is the tremendous amount of information we now have at our finger tips. This includes facts about just about anything that can be “Googled” as well as the latest sports scores, temperatures, and directions to our next destination. People are impatient and now expect to be able to access any type of information within seconds.
While instant access to facts, statistics, and other information is very convenient it also has its pitfalls. Not all information is reliable, as recent controversies about fake news have made clear. The internet provides ample resources for verifying information but we don't always have the patience to do even the most cursory research before sharing something on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. So the age of instant access to information also means we have to be more discerning than ever about what we believe and share.
How The Internet Has Transformed Business
The internet is helping to bring about major revolutions in work and business. Here are just a few examples.
- Flexible hours and working conditions. People are breaking free of the old 9 to 5, 40 hours per week paradigm. With the internet, it's easy to work remotely, share files, and communicate with team members from anywhere in the world.
- It's easier to start a business. The internet has opened up a multitude of business opportunities that never existed before, including affiliate marketing, e-commerce, selling self-published books, online consulting, freelancing, and more. As more and more people shop online, these opportunities will continue to expand.
- The importance of online reputation. The internet has created a whole peer-based system of reputation building and management. Almost all types of businesses now depend on positive online reviews from customers.
- Crowdfunding. Raising money online from strangers is another practice that was inconceivable before the internet.
- The need for online marketing. Both web-based and brick and mortar businesses now must promote themselves online. Retail stores and restaurants, for example, need to do local SEO to attract customers. Every business needs a website and a social media presence to promote itself.
As much as we take the internet for granted, it's still a recent development in our history. Its long-term effects on all aspects of society remain to be seen.
