Will the Internet Bring People of the World Closer Together?

Will the Internet Bring People of the World Closer Together?

Revolutionary advances in technology have significantly influenced many aspects of

life. For instance, following the invention of the World Web 2.0, the internet has greatly

enhanced communication and facilitated globalization.With information flying across the

globe at the speed of light, trade between people spread across the world is now easier

and more convenient than any other time in the history of humanity (Chen, Boase, &

Wellman, 2002). Communication and social interactions between people are better owing

to the invention of various online social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter,

and Instagram (Haythornthwaite, 2005). Therefore, the internet is progressively bringing

people of the world closer together for social and economic interactions (Rodgers &

Chen, 2005).

Presently, work is no longer concentrated in physical high flyer buildings as was the

case some decades ago. Employees can now sit and make earnings from the comfort of

their homes. Through the use of computers and the internet, professionals today do not

have to incur travel expenses to access their places of work (Shah, 2008). As such,

working offices are now smaller or even nonexistent. When workers are required to hold

meetings, they do not have to commute to a central place to deliberate on their issues.

Such discussions are now possible via video conferencing. Therefore, through the

internet, people from distant geographical locations can work for the same company

(Chen, Boase, & Wellman, 2002).

Working through the internet has led to stronger family bonds as employees can

now spend more time with family members. Moreover, companies today save more
money as they do not finance lodgings, travels, and hoardings (Haythornthwaite, 2005).

The saved cash can help recruit more workers hence increased rates of employment. With

more employment opportunities, people can afford to start families and raise children.

Again, when the family has access to increased resources, domestic conflicts reduce and

people live happily together (Shah, 2008).

Over the last few decades, the world has registered the invention of more advanced

communication tools thanks to the internet. More sophisticated transportation machines

are also available today (Shah, 2008). Therefore, the movement of people, goods, and

services across continents is now faster. The internet also facilitates the concept of

globalization (Chen, Boase, & Wellman, 2002). Globalization involves the elimination of

cross-border trade barriers, thereby making it easier for goods and services to move

between countries. As such, people from distant geographical locations are brought

together and states can quickly sell their products and access those they do not produce.

The overall effect is a boost to the economy as governments collect more revenues (Wolf,

2001).

From the above discussions, it is clear that the internet brings people of the world

closer together. As seen, this closeness is possible through various online social

networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, as discussed, the

internet enables online employment thereby enabling people from far apart places to

work together. Again, as argued, the internet facilitates the concept of globalization which

makes it easier for people, goods and services to move between countries.
 References

Chen, W., Boase, J., & Wellman, B. (2002). The global villagers: Comparing Internet

users and uses around the world. The Internet in everyday life, 74-113.

Haythornthwaite, C. (2005). Social networks and Internet connectivity effects.

Information, Community & Society, 8(2), 125-147.

Rodgers, S., & Chen, Q. (2005). Internet community group participation: Psychosocial

benefits for women with breast cancer. Journal of Computer-Mediated

Communication, 10(4), JCMC1047.

Shah, N. (2008). From global village to global marketplace: Metaphorical descriptions of

the global Internet. International Journal of Media & Cultural Politics, 4(1), 9-26.

Wolf, M. (2001). Will the nation-state survive globalization. Foreign Aff., 80, 178.