Although the internet has only been around for less than thirty years, it is hard to imagine a world without the internet. A day without the internet would have most of us spinning on top of our heads, not knowing what to do. The internet plays an integral role in modern culture. Our daily lives are touched by the internet in some way. We own devices such as smartphones, smart televisions, hand held computers, smart watches, to name a few, all of which allow us to access the world at our fingertips.  We can access our bank accounts, locate destinations, order meals, research any topic, and find true love all with the click of a button or touch of a screen. The things we can do and information we can access through the internet is infinite. With a few clicks, we can have access to anything that we can imagine or question. Even in writing this assignment, the internet was used to find sources to create an effective research paper. The point is, that no matter what we do, the internet has had a positive impact on society by making things run more efficiently, eliminating boundaries in communications, and allowing life to be easier through economy, politics, education, development, and social life. 

The economy is an important part of life, in which the internet has had a positive impact. The internet has boosted the economy of many countries around the world from the production of smart technology devices to the many ways money is handled through online business transactions.  In an article about the effects of the internet on economy and business, author Osmond Vitez gives an example of an area the internet has created called e-business or e-commerce. This way of doing business uses the internet to communicate sales, transactions, and money all through the internet with businesses all over the world. This has given businesses the ability to market their products to other people in different countries instead of only staying within their region or town. Someone searching for a product that might not be in their area can go online and order what they are looking for from wherever it is sold. This has created a market that is not excluded to in-store purchases but allows items to be purchased from a different state or even a different country. This permits businesses to expand all over the world without having to pay outrageous travel expenses to market their items. 

Along with helping businesses expand their market, the internet can help businesses as well as individuals manage money transactions, open accounts, finance loans, and calculate profits without having to physically visit a financial institution.  Most financial institutions have set up an app or website that allows anyone who banks with them to create an account which permits the account holder to access how much money they have available, record previous transactions or deposits, and even transfer money. Other apps, such as Venmo, are used to transfer money to an individual’s account with whom you may not share the same bank. These websites and apps have made banking easier and more convenient by allowing people to access money anywhere and anytime. 

Another area of the economy in which the internet has impacted is the job market. The internet can not only allow people to search for jobs but also creates employment through internet related companies. Employment websites such as Indeed.com allows people to search for employment for jobs in which they qualify, post resumes for companies to review, and allows companies to have a better chance of selecting the right candidate for the position. The internet also creates jobs for people, such as bloggers, social media contributors, website designers, web developers, and IT specialists. 

With the growth of the internet and the number of users, it has integrated politics into websites and ads. In the recent elections, we have seen the increase of candidates using the internet as a platform to get more voters. The use of social media, websites, ads, and videos can be used to project their views or policies to people nationwide. Social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter have become major platforms for candidates to reach the population (Cutler). This can be essential in winning over people to vote for them to win the election. Debates, political rallies, town halls, and speeches can be accessed by people all over the country who are interested and want to learn more about the candidates’ stance. Ads can be used on websites to sway people toward a certain candidate.  Using this new way of persuasion, allows a candidate to reach more voters and push their agenda on a larger population.  You often see in bigger elections, such as the Presidential race, the internet is used more because of the large numbers and variety of people who can be reached. Since the internet is relatively new, candidates aim to influence a younger audience by using the internet (Smith & Lee). The internet has had a positive effect on how elections are played out and how we vote for important races such as our president. 

The internet has been a tool used for people to talk to each other, meet new people, make new friends, or even talk to their loved ones face to face even if they are on different continents. Social media websites have been created which allow people to message each other, post pictures, thoughts, and even find old friends. These websites are free to the public and allow people to create a profile that describes themselves in ways that may be appealing to other individuals. These profiles can be found by searching a name or having mutual “friends” or “followers” with someone else. Maybe social media websites allow you to see other people’s post, like it, comment on them, or even retweet it. These social media websites also allow you to send personal messages to a person or even personal pictures. These social media websites allow people to have a totally different social environment online than they do offline. Friends and family can keep up with each other through social media even if they do not see one another often. Some websites allow people to talk face to face through screen interaction instead of typing just words or talking on the telephone. This allows people to communicate and creates a sense of having the person there. These features can be used to meet new people or even discover old friends. Many people use different social media websites to stay in touch and keep up with friends. An avid internet user named Paul Miller decided to take a year off from using the internet and concluded that not using the internet made him more detached from friends and family instead of bringing him closer (TEDx Talks). The use of these websites can be used to strengthen social skills and make people feel like they belong by allowing them to communicate with friends and family or find a group of individuals who are like them. The internet has made communicating with friends much easier and allows people all over the world the ability to talk and see each other. 

Going through primary, secondary, and even post-secondary level education students have to use the internet to complete assignments, projects, or test. The internet has become a primary tool used in learning all over the country. From when children enter school to college, students are required to use the internet in some way. In primary school students use the internet to learn shapes, letters, and basic math through games that can be accessed on websites. In secondary level courses students are required to take a class that teaches them how to use computers and applications efficiently through games and course materials that involve the internet. More online classes in high school and college are being used because they allow students to learn what they need to know without having to go to class or having a real teacher. Portals such as blackboard are used to upload assignments, turn in assignments, or even complete assignments rather than giving them out in class. The internet has made it easier for students to receive an education in the comfort of their homes and at their convenience without being inconvenienced by adhering to classroom schedules. Online classes gives students in circumstances that inhibit them from being able to take normal classes the opportunity others have to receive a degree. Research for papers, projects, and assignments can be found on the internet by using search engines that provide websites that relate to the topic searched. In a study found on EdTech.com, 93% of students would rather search topics on the internet rather than going to the library (Daly). Having the internet available makes it easier for students to find information rather than waiting longer and having the risk of the information not being in a library. The internet also gives more information that can be found in a library such as articles that are exclusively online. The internet has made it easier for students to find information for assignments, learn better and have more opportunities.

Development is an essential part in the lives of every child in our world. This time is where the body, brain, and personality all create the people we are today. For many years people thought that the internet had a negative impact on the development of children. A study conducted by the American Psychological Association found that the internet has no effect on the development of children (Jackson, Eye, & Frank). The only real problem researchers can find would be the amount of time an adolescent uses the internet can lead to minor effects. This can be resolved by parents making sure the child does not over use the internet can restricts the time it can be used. The amount of time the internet is used can have effects on personality in high school and college aged individuals (Karadkar). Overall the internet can have a positive impact on the development of a child’s mind and, with supervision, can help them become more well- rounded individuals. Supervision is important because the more the internet is used by a person, the lonelier they tend to be (Nie & Lutz). The amount of time spent on the internet is tied into the circumstances that person’s in in their lives (Anderson and Tracey). These circumstances could range from their job involving the use of internet to the social life they might have with others. People who use the internet with job related activities might not be as lonely rather than someone who just uses it because they are shy or timid. The point is, that the amount of time spent using the internet cannot directly be tied to the loneliness of a person or personality changes. People who use the internet for most of the day can also be outgoing as much as a person who has never used it. 

Not only does the internet help in development of a child, but it has also been helpful in keeping adults’ brains healthy and active.  There are numerous apps which allow adults to play “brain games” that have been shown to help in preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.  By using these games and activities, adults can improve memory and motor skills. Social skills can also be enhanced as well because the internet has allowed adults to stay in contact with loved ones, reconnect with old friends, and get involved in interest groups. This type of social interaction helps the elderly continue to feel a part of society and their families.  Also, being able to shop online and have home delivery allows the elderly to keep their sense of independence even after they can no longer drive.  Giving this sense of independence improves one’s outlook on life and positively affects their well-being. 

Social media has become the norm for how people interact with each other.  On Facebook, people post events, feelings, opinions, videos, and pictures of their families and adventures.  They can reconnect with friends from the past and become a part of current friends’ lives.  With Snapchat and Instagram, teens post pictures of what they are doing at the moment for their friends and followers.  Twitter has become a sounding board for politicians, Hollywood, and anyone who wants to voice their opinion for their followers to view. YouTube posts videos like a rising star looking to be discovered, to parts of  movies, how-to videos, and everything in between.  These outlets, along with many others, have become a part of how people keep in touch with each other and remain involved in each other’s lives. Being in “the know” can make someone feel involved in current events such as sporting events, award shows, political races, and live broadcasts. These activities can be followed on social media accounts and other websites that provide insight. Through social media, you are able to meet all kinds of new people, thus gaining more friends and a higher social life. Social media allows us to get ourselves out into the world, virtually, and gain understanding of new people and of new cultures. 

Some streaming websites such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Crackle allow you to stream TV shows and movies on any device you can think of. If a person wanted to watch their favorite television show and it was not on cable or satellite, they would just open up the website or application, search their desired show, and stream it to any device. The convenience of this would be the low expenses and the ability to watch what you want anywhere on any device of your choosing. Some of the websites such as Netflix provide exclusive shows that you can only watch on their website that you cannot watch on normal channels. Many people are tending to switch to these kinds of streaming because it provides the same shows and channels as the cable or satellite companies but for a fraction of the cost.

To conclude, the internet has proven to be a vital part of our daily lives. It is the crutch that our society has leaned itself upon. Without it, we would not have been able to make all of the advancements that we have today, and move forward as a society. The internet has become so widely popular, that it is an essential part of our day to day life. The internet is how we meet new people, keep up with old friends and how we answer questions that we don’t know through Google. As I have stated before, the internet has had a positive impact on society by making things run more efficiently, eliminating boundaries in communications, and allowing life to be easier through economy, politics, education, development, and social life.  Despite all of the bad connotations people have of the internet, it has prevailed to display a great amount of good effects, and is truly a great part of our society today. 
