The Internet has had the biggest effect in the United States. It has made the world a smaller place and a global village to the Americans in the following ways.
Firstly, news travel very fast, that is, one is able to get latest news from the web anytime anywhere. The internet has made the world a global village. This mainly applies to the business world where Chief Executive Officers are able to make decision through the internet. They are able to share ideas and challenge some of the decisions made instantly. Managers are also in a position to get latest information and any changes that might affect their business are noted very fast. Moreover investors are in a position to keep track of their investments. For example one is in a position to keep track of stocks. As a result the business world is harmonized in the sense that no one is left behind in terms of accessing information. (Ely, 2000)
Secondly, people are able to know what is happening in the world. For example, if a student wants to research on a certain topic he will be in a position to do so. If the student decides to write a paper about Africa, he will get the information through the internet. He will know exactly what is happening in Africa or any other part of the world. Information is available to everyone and about everything. More proof to this is that, with the resent collaboration between NASA and Google, people are even in a position to know what is happening even out of space.
Thirdly students can be in a position to do their own research and get the latest information. As stated above the internet has made the world a global village such that students are even able to do their homework through the internet. And at times, students can even challenge the information given to them by their teachers. They can also have additional information which might not be given to them by their teacher. This was not possible a decade ago. So the internet has brought remarkable changes.
Fourth, the internet has lowered the cost of printing. This is a big advantage to publishing companies. This is because their printing cost has gone down and this helps them to maximize their profits. For example the cost of publishing a magazine or newspaper online is cheaper than printing. This is because one does not need to buy paper and ink and not as many workers are needed.
Despite the positive effects that the internet has, it also has a couple of negative effects. This include: it opened up the world to everyone this is despite of race, religion or sex. But not every one is able to access the internet. Despite lowering the printing cost, it is not affordable to everyone. There is also the risk of people becoming addicted to the internet. This is like an out of control behavior. Internet addict’s lives are controlled by the internet. (Barry, 2005)
Lastly everything that has a good also tends to have a bad. The internet also has sites that are not very pleasant. These sites are like the pornographic sites.
In conclusion the internet has many effects in our lives. It has made the world a smaller and better place to live in, only if we will embrace the good and shun the bad. The good which include we are able to communicate with our friends via E-mail, people are able to run their businesses, investors are able to invest and information is easily accessible. The bad will include viewing pornographic sites, “get rich quick schemes” and being addicted to the internet.
References
Barry, S. Internet Marketing for Information Technology Companies. New York: Prentice Hall, 2005.
Ely, D. Technology Internet Assessment. New York: Pearson Education Limited, 2000.