Effect of the Internet on Society - Free Essay Example

The use of the Internet is the current stone age of the world today. It reduces the world into a small global village where a person can get answers to their problem. The Internet makes people's lives more enjoyable and simpler by bridging the gap and reducing society's divisions. The social divisions result from social differences, economic differences between the haves and the haves, and political differences. The Internet provides a solution to the social gaps in society through effective communications, business opportunities, and equal education opportunities. Hence, Danah Boyd is wrong when she argues that the internet is creating more division in society.

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The Internet provides effective communication all over the world. Communication devices, which include mobile phones and computers, simplify communications. Currently, an individual communicates with a person far away and gets immediate feedback. Danah Boyd claims that society is becoming more divided by the internet, which is not the case since, according to Ryuet et al., (2020), communication is bringing people in the society together by allowing them to socialize and interact even if they are not physically together. For instance, a person makes a phone call to their family members at home while at the job to keep in touch. Furthermore, disputes in society that cause division are solved through teleconferencing. People meet remotely and discuss their issues and understand regardless of the current location of the conflicting parties. People who lack the confidence to express their feelings or apologize for their misconduct can lead to divisions using short messages (SMS) or other chatting websites to communicate. Social media communication such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Snapchat are also bringing people together and making a new friend from different societies hence bringing the gaps that exist among societies.

The Internet provides global business interactions and transactions. Internet communication is becoming an essential services in the business world where buyers and sellers communicate and do business. Online businesses are good examples of the business world enhanced by the internet. If a customer needs any good within the society, it is delivered to their doorsteps by making just a call or making an order through the relevant websites. Companies are posting their products on social media for international businesses, and customers make orders and pay through online banking. The goods are delivered to specified destinations. The Internet is, therefore, making businesses successful, which leads to the growth of the economy. Social divisions and gaps created by social status between the rich and the poor are reduced because the Internet provides equal business opportunities and other services. Furthermore, the business interactions among the people in society, people from different societies, and people from different nations bridge the gaps between them as opposed to Danah Boyd's arguments.

The Internet provides online education opportunities to all students in the society. Students are getting equal opportunities for education regardless of their social background and location. Using the internet, students get access to books and other research material through the online library. Therefore, the student is taking online courses using the internet and graduates becoming a competent member of society who assists in bridging the divisions in society. The elite members from different societies are responsible for bringing the people together or starting a new generation with a better understanding of each other. Danah Boyd is mistaken because she overlooks the use of the internet to the negative side only. Education is the key to success, and if the members of the society have the necessary education, social divisions, and gaps coursed by social status are bridged. Additionally, education brings students together during their research and other consultations that enhance interactions, creating a friendly environment used to address their social differences, leading to division bridging.

The Internet provides a platform where people air their grievances and criticize their political leaders. One of the major causes of community division is how political leaders address the community's problems. For instance, if the leader favors a particular community or specific people in the community by developing their areas and offering job opportunities, they create social classes in the society. Danah Boyd is wrong when she says that the internet is dividing people in society. Through the internet, people reach their leaders through internet social media platforms, including Twitter and online TV stations. When the community members reach their leaders to provide equal development and job opportunities, the leader becomes fair in their dealings, resulting in an even distribution of resources and services, people change their perceptions against some members, enhancing the reduction of social divisions. (Zhu et al.,2020).

Application for job vacancies is advised through online internet platforms. Many people in society are using the internet, and hence the advertisements reach them, unlike the other method, which has a limited number of people who get the information. Applicants get an equal opportunity to secure the jobs. There is a division in the society between the job and jobless people. Employment improves people's living standards in society, which reduces the divisions, that result from discrimination between the rich to the poor. Danah Boyd argues that the Internet is creating social division, but she is wrong because many people secure their jobs that end economic differences through the Internet.

Religious differences cause social divisions. People in the society have different religious faith which includes Christianity, Islam, and, Buddhism. One religion may undermine the other, leading to social differences. A community may discriminate members from a specific religion leading to uneven distribution of resources and services, which causes social divisions. The members of society lack the understanding of other members' faith, and they therefore they fail to appreciate other members' religion. The Internet provides a solution to the problem by providing a platform that provides interactive sessions among people of different faiths. The platforms include online classes, online research groups, and online jobs, and hence Danah Boyd is mistaken when she argues that the internet is creating social divisions.

Unequal distribution of resources leads to inequalities, which causes social division Take two societies' cases, one provided with resources by the government and the other one neglected. The social difference emerges between them. The neglected people will lag behind in terms of development and economic status (Rios et al., 2019). The other people with resources will have development and better financial status. A division will automatically emerge between the rich and the poor due to the unequal distribution of resources. Such disparities are caused by a political leader who fails to meet the demands of the people evenly. The solution to such poor leadership is provided by the internet, where the society members express their demands on the internet platforms. Rios et al., (2019) show that when the people are given civic education and when they understand their rights, they impeach the corrupt leaders and elect the leaders who bring fairness in resource distribution, reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. Contrary to Danah Boyd's argument, the internet bridges social division when people use it to inform community members about their rights.

Ethnicity courses, social divisions. Members of the community from one ethnic group may be discriminated against and undermined. As a result, the discriminated group lacks essential services in society, including health services, education, and job opportunities. The group will end up living in poverty due to a lack of basic needs. The other group, which is getting a better education, health facilities, and employment, will have higher living standards. A social difference will emerge between the two communities due to social status, leading to increased social division. The Internet provides an opportunity for different communities to interact online through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where the members are free to express their feelings, opinions, and demands. According to Aziz et al., (2018), such interactions help members of different communities to have an understanding among them. Danah Boyd, is there wrong about the internet causing social divisions?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Internet provides effective communication, social platforms, online businesses, online education, and online jobs, which bridges society's division. Members of the society develop divisions amongst themselves due to social differences, economic deference, social status, and ethnicity. The Internet is bringing a different society where members get equal opportunities and a better understanding of each other. Based on the arguments above it's clear that Danah Boyd is wrong in her argument the internet is causing social divisions.

References

Aziz, N. N. A., Hassan, N. A., & Buhari, N. (2018). Intimacy in marital relationship: Effect of internet usage. Geografia-Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 14(3).

Rios, J. S., Wohn, D. Y., & Lee, Y. H. (2019). Effect of Internet literacy in understanding older adults’ social capital and expected Internet support. Communication Research Reports, 36(2), 93-102.

Ryu, S., Udo, G. J., Bagchi, K. K., & Kirs, P. J. (2020). Comparative analysis of the effect of internet use on democracy development: a case of Asian political structures. International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 21(2), 147-170.

Zhu, Z., Ma, W., Sousa-Poza, A., & Leng, C. (2020). The effect of internet usage on perceptions of social fairness: Evidence from rural China. China Economic Review, 62, 101508.