The internet has been the most amazing piece of technology in living history because it has simultaneously helped develop a computer literate population and contributed to the demise of conventional forms of socialising and committing crime.

COMPUTER LITERACY

The internet has helped people use computers because the internet itself is so simple to use and is so addictive. Computers have made it easy to sit down and type something into a search engine like Google or Yahoo and before you know it, you're navigating your way around the World Wide Web, expanding your knowledge and use of computers in the process.

My two year son can already sit in front of my laptop and use the internet, so he will grow up knowing how to use computers and technology, which is something my generation and previous generations weren't able to do.

EDUCATION

The internet contains so much information; it's a vital source of education. From essays and books to articles, pictures and blogs, you can always find something on the topic you're looking for. And if you're still struggling, you can email someone or set up your own webpage to help others.

LOCALIZING THE WORLD

The internet has made the world a local community where you can have discussions and contact someone on the opposite side of the world at just the touch of a button. Our Grandparents let alone our parents could never have envisaged such a vast and controlling piece of technology which would slowly help erode the use of letters (now known as "snail mail") and even telephones.

It has also allowed sites like Friends Reunited and Facebook to grow into social networking sites to add to the numerous dating websites which put potential partners in touch with each other.

BUSINESS

The internet has created new opportunities for businesses in terms of advertising, buying and selling. Ebay has led the internet revolution and supermarkets now also have online shops where you can browse the shelves and fill your virtual basket.

It also allows for short-term advertising and lower prices because it does away with real shop floors and the need for window dressing in a real shop.

Furthermore it's also provided greater opportunities through sites like Helium, YouTube and MySpace where ordinary people can show their work and comment of the work of others.

CRIME

On the downside, the internet has created new opportunities for criminals who prey on children in chartrooms and groom potential victims. It gives offenders a faceless identity with which to set up scams, stalk the vulnerable and commit fraud.

It's also given the opportunity to steal personal identities and infect other people's computers with viruses, creating a complex, sometime untraceable, course back to its source.

LACK OF SOCIALISING AND EXERCISE

Although the internet has opened up new opportunities and helped us connect with others across the globe, it's also created a new addiction which means some people are spending hours in front of the computer each day.

The consequence of this is obese population who might be able to use a computer but are lacking exercise and proper face-to-face communication. We are becoming separated into individuals, lacking socialising skills in a fragmented society which is increasingly controlled by technology.

So the internet has changed the world beyond all imagination. Some ways have been good, others have been bad. But there's no way we could think of living without it now, even with its deficiencies.

Learn more about this author, Ben Hughes.
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