Social implications of the internet
The internet remains the greatest invention of man in the 20th century due to the way it has impacted on humanity for the last decade it has been in existence (Mansell, 2009). There is no institution that this phenomenon has not touched, ranging from governance, businesses, socialization, health care and education to mention just a few.
There is no denying that the implications of the internet will continue to have wide ranging effects as new innovations are developed to improved and widen its use. The internet has greatly changed the way we communicate in many ways. Distance and time is no longer a barrier to effective communication between individuals, institutions and businesses (Li, 2007). Email has facilitated fast communication from long to short distances that were not possible in the past. Further more it allows the sending of bulk information.
The advent of social networking sites such as Face book, Skype, Twitter and Netlog has changed the way we socialize (Mansell, 2009). These sites allow people from all spheres of life to interact virtually in the internet. The spread of culture and appreciation by other people has been rapid in the years that the internet has been in existence making the world a global village. These sites have also facilitated the sharing of ideas that boost global understanding hence fostering international peace.
One of the sectors that the internet has almost taken over is the field of commerce. The way people conduct all aspects of business has been made efficient, faster, and cheaper with the advent of the internet (Fletcher, 2004). Businesses, ranging from small to multinational corporations have developed websites that allow clients, partners and any other interested parties to access information about all aspects of their activities in any part of the globe.
Online trading has flourished due to the internet. Sites such as eBay and Amazon conduct most of their businesses online with clients across the globe. Airlines have shifted from paper ticketing to electronic ticketing to boost efficiency (Mansell, 2009). Another business sector that has utilized the internet on a large scale is the banking sector. Electronic banking has almost overtaken the traditional form of over the counter transactions cutting on time and cost of travelling, and making it more secure.
Marketing has also been adversely improved by the internet because businesses currently post their advertisements on the internet and potential customers can access them in the comfort of their computers, electronic tablets and mobile phones. Business meetings are no longer the usual boardroom activities, but teleconferencing has ensured that any member can participate no matter their locations. In general, the internet has reduced the cost of doing business, boosted efficiency, globalized the market and improved the profit margins of many business organizations (Rosenberg, 2004).
Governance has also benefited from the internet in that citizens can access public services more promptly by logging onto government websites. Services such as visa applications have been simplified by the use of the internet. Education is also another sector that has seen the internet make it possible for learners to access learning materials from the internet making learning a new experience altogether. E-learning has enabled students from different parts of the world to access quality education from renowned institutions without having to travel in person. The spread of information, ideas and culture through elearning has changed the lives of rural folk even in developing countries (Fletcher, 2004).
Entertainment has been broadened by the internet as sites such as YouTube and Apple’s iTunes facilitate access to all forms of entertainment from any part of the world. Revenues for artists and producers have increased due to a wider market, and diverse cultures have been adopted by different people due to the sharing of entertainment content (Li, 2007). The internet has and will continue facilitating the distribution of resources globally and improving the market system.
References
Fletcher, R et al, 2004, International e-business marketing, New York: Cengage Learning
EMEA.
Li, F, 2007, Social implications and challenges of e-business, New York: Idea Group Inc (IGI).
Mansell, R, 2009, The Information Society, New York: Taylor and Francis.
Rosenberg, S, 2004, The social impact of computers, New York: Emerald Group Publishing.
