22/08/2024
THE EVOLUTION OF THE INTERNET AND IT'S USES IN MODERN DAY SOCIETY
In the past access to the Internet was not as rampant, social media wasn't this much in use and most older generations are just recently adapting to the rapid rise in the use of social media platforms for communication and seeking informative contents and other lucrative benefits gotten from the Internet today.
How did Social Media become embedded in our Day to Day Lives?
A simple answer to this is the INTERNET.
Yes the Internet,what is available in almost every sphere of the world today and accessible to almost everyone wasn't always readily available.Let us take a brief look at the history and evolution of the Internet;
The Internet started in the 1960s as a way for government researchers to share information. Computers in the '60s were large and immobile and in order to make use of information stored in any one computer, one had to either travel to the site of the computer or have magnetic computer tapes sent through the conventional postal system.
The formation of the ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), the network that ultimately evolved into what we now know as the Internet was basically used for information dissemination.
January 1, 1983 is considered the official birthday of the Internet. Prior to this, the various computer networks did not have a standard way to communicate with each other. A new communications protocol was established called Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP). This allowed different kinds of computers on different networks to "talk" to each other. ARPANET and the Defense Data Network officially changed to the TCP/IP standard on January 1, 1983, hence the birth of the Internet. All networks could now be connected by a universal language.
In 1989 Tim-Berners lee invents the World Wide Web which opens the door for the Internet to go Mainstream
In 2004 Facebook launches and Web 2.0 begins to grow rapidly,by the year 2010, 1.96 billion people are online globally .
Attached to the article is an info slide on the progression of the Internet.
What are the Uses of the Internet in Modern Day Society?
The internet has revolutionized modern day society, transforming the way we live, work, communicate, and access information. Here are some of the most significant uses of the internet to the current occupants of planet Earth:
1. Communication: Email, social media, messaging apps, and video conferencing enable instant connections with people Examples include Facebook, Instagram,X(formerly Twitter) and whole lot of others
2. Information and Research: Access to vast amounts of information, knowledge, and educational resources.Examples include Google, Wikipedia and thousands of websites for academic and archaeological researches.
3. E-commerce and Online Shopping: Buying and selling products and services online.Examples such as Amazon, Alibaba,Jumia are a few examples of the dominant online shopping platforms in modern day society.
4. Entertainment: Streaming music, videos, movies, and online gaming.The likes of Spotify, Apple music,EA sports are common examples.
5. Education and Learning: Online courses, tutorials, and degree programs.
6. Remote Work and Collaboration: Enabling remote teams, freelancing, and flexible work arrangements.
7. Banking and Finance: Online banking, mobile payments, and digital wallets.
8. Healthcare and Telemedicine: Access to medical information, online consultations, and remote health services.
9. Government Services: Online portals for public services, renewals, and applications.
10. Social Networking: Connecting with others, sharing experiences, and community building.
11. News and Journalism: Access to global news, online publications, and citizen journalism.
12. Travel and Navigation: Online booking, travel guides, and GPS navigation.
13. Food Delivery and Online Ordering: Convenient food ordering and delivery services.
14. Job Search and Career Development: Online job boards, career resources, and professional networking.
15. Access to Services: Online portals for utility services, insurance, and other essential services.
The internet has transformed modern society, offering unparalleled convenience, connectivity, and access to information and opportunities.
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