The Internet: The Impact on Our Lives - Research Proposal Example

The Internet Introduction With the increasing levels of globalization resulting from liberalization of markets, efficient flow of information and integration of economies, the world has become very dynamic. Since the entry of the internet in the world, people have been able to relate closely without having to change their physical locations. This has played a crucial role in sharing of ideas and transformation of cultures in the world. This paper will therefore discuss the internet and how it has impacted on the lives of human and business environment. Findings The internet has led to a global culture. Initially, people were having distinct cultures but with the penetration of the internet in the world, people have been able to share cultural ideas an aspect that has led to erosion of some cultures. Some people have also gone ahead and adopted other strong cultures. This has created a united culture which has been sparked by increased integration and immigration of people to different parts of the world. Internet has revolutionalized the communication sector. Currently, it has become easy to communicate with anyone irrespective of his/her geographical location. This has reduced the need to travel in order to meet with people (Mur, 2005). Nevertheless, this has negative impact on social life of people as it has reduced physical associations. This has increased cases of stress in the world which has led to depression and suicides. Internet has changed the political situations in our countries. Initially, people lacked crucial information on the candidates vying for positions. Currently, internet has made it possible for people to share information on the candidates an aspect that has enabled people to vote for the most qualified personal to hold the post. The internet has also encouraged people to fight for their rights when they are violated by political leaders. For instance, Arab countries have been using social media to rally people together against dictators. This has enabled them to remove sitting presidents from the power. The internet has revolutionalized the education sector. Through the internet people are able to share ideas and knowledge irrespective of their geographical location. Also, it has led to e-learning whereby, students can be able to learn without the need to move from one place to the other. E-learning has also enabled the working class who are willing to further their education to do so without the need of resigning. This is because; they can be able to get information through the internet. Students can be able to be taught by the lecturer without attending classes. Also, the internet has enabled students all over the world to get access to reading materials such as books, journals and magazines without having to get physical access to these materials (Mur, 2005). This has increased the literacy levels in the world. The internet has transformed the way people work. Through teleworking, the internet has enabled people to work from home. Some of the major benefits of teleworking are that this has reduced the running costs and overheads such as electricity and heating. This has also reduced the demand for office space in the world. In addition, the move has reduced travel complication. People are able to select their destinations without necessarily having to visit the place physically e.g. e-booking of hotels. This has reduced the time wasted an aspect that has contributed immensely in improving the economic status of the people. Discussion With the increasing levels of competition in the market, many businesses have been establishing subsidiaries in oversees in order to reduce risks and expand their profit benefits. As a result, the internet has become an important tool in making this process a success. The internet has enabled video conferencing. This is the use of computers to provide a video link to more than two people. This enables both video and visual communication. This technology has enabled many companies in the world to be able to manage more than one subsidiary as it is able to give out instructions to be followed. It has also enabled the headquarters of the company to conduct meetings with different subsidiaries across the world without the need to move physically (Graham, 2001). This has contributed immensely in the growth of the businesses in the world. The internet has become a special tool in marketing. Through online marketing the businesses have been able to market its products to its customers who are widespread all over the world. The internet has also enabled businesses to receive feedbacks from the customers an aspect that has enabled the businesses to make changes in order to meet the changing tastes and preferences in the market. Through the internet, social media have become a very important tool for marketing the company’s products. Companies are currently advertising their products through social media. Also, the customers are able to air their grievances concerning the quality of the products. This has played a crucial role in enabling the business to increase customer loyalty. The internet has encouraged direct marketing. Initially, the businesses relied on middlemen to reach its customers. Nevertheless, with the entry of the internet in the globe, companies have been able to interact with the customers therefore removing the role of middlemen in the business. This has contributed to increase in the overall revenue for the business. Also, customers relied on information from second person an aspect that could have given an advantage to the competitor (Donnellan, 2002). Nevertheless, with the entry of the internet, companies have been able to establish their websites thereby, making it easy for the customers to get access to crucial information concerning the company’s products or services. The internet has also enabled businesses to set online chats where they can be able to interact with the customers and take orders. The internet has become an important tool for research. Businesses use the internet in research about new products, methods of creating new products and pricing information. The internet has also become important in researching about competitors pricing and products. This enables the businesses to upgrade their systems and make them effective in order to increase its competitiveness in the market. The Internet is also an important tool in locating the target customers, and learning about their characteristics. Although the internet has changed the lives of human beings positively, there are some of the negative impacts of internet. One of the major negative impacts is increased immoral culture. With the increasing exchange of cultural ideas, some of the negative cultures have been absorbed in areas where society rules and regulations were being used. Some of the immoral acts that have erupted as a result of the internet penetration are prostitutions. Young children who are at adolescent age have been introduced into other habits such as crime and other sexual activities (Cavalier 2005). This has played a crucial role in the spread of HIV/Aids in the world. The internet has exposed young minds into pornographic materials. Through social networks and other unregulated websites, young children have access to sexual materials an aspect that has increased the level of immorality in the world. This exposure is also associated with increased unplanned pregnancies among the youth. The internet has reduced privacy level in the world. Currently, the number of hackers who are online is increasing. This is endangering the privacy of individuals. Hackers are able to steal once identity and misuse it through sending emails to one’s friends. They have been able to use one’s identity to commit criminal activities without being noticed. This is tarnishing the changes the internet has brought to the world. The internet has led to time wastage. Lecturers have associated the internet with reduced performance in class. They indicate that the internet has also taken a lot of social life of young children. The use of the internet has shortened the playtime for young children. This is being associated with increased obesity in the world. Although scholars argue that the internet is a valuable resource to the students, when used excessively, it can produce negative results. The internet has compromised the level of education in the world. This is through reducing the thinking capacity of the students. Many students have relied heavily on the internet to complete their assignments. They have been copying down information from the internet an aspect that has affected their reasoning capacity. Conclusion Since the entry of the internet in 1960s, the number of people that depend on it in daily basis has increased tremendously. Internet has revolutionalized the business sector, communication sector, and even created a platform for innovation. This has seen the mushrooming of innovative ideas especially by the young people. However, there are several drawbacks that are associated by this technology. Nevertheless, the advantages outdo the disadvantages. This is because it has made life easier and enjoyable. On the other hand, security measures should be put in place in order to protect the children and the privacy of the people. This has been one of the major aspects that have created a negative perception towards the new technology. References Cavalier, R. J. 2005. The impact of the Internet on our moral lives. Albany: State University of New York Press. Donnellan, C. 2002. The impact of the Internet. Cambridge: Independence. Graham, I. 2001. The internet: The impact on our lives. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn. Mur, C. 2005. Does the Internet benefit society? Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Read More