11/29/15
John Kalafatic
Mr. Chapman

The Impact of Technology on Society

The Internet is the decisive technology of the Information Age, and with the introduction of wireless communication in the early twenty-first century, it is possible that humankind is now almost entirely connected, albeit with great levels of inequality in bandwidth, efficiency, and price. People, companies, and institutions feel the depth of this technological change, but the speed f the transformation has triggered all manner of good and bad perceptions that, when examined closely through research turn out not to be accurate.

For instance, media often report that excessive use of the Internet increases the risk of isolation, alienation, and withdrawal from society, but available evidence shows that the Internet neither isolates people nor reduces their sociability; it actually increases sociability, civic engagement, and the intensity of family and friendship relationships, in all cultures. Our current “network society” is a product of the digital revolution and some major social changes. ne of these is the rise of the “Me-centered society,” marked by an increased focus on individual growth and a decline in community understood in terms of space, work, family etc. However, individuation does not mean isolation, or the end of community. Rather, social relationships are being reconstructed on the basis of individual interests, values, and projects. Communities are formed with individuals common hobbies and beliefs.

Globally, time spent on social networking sites surpassed time spent on e-mail in November 2007, and the number of social networking users surpassed the number of e-mail users in July 2009. Today, social networking sites are the preferred platforms for all kinds of activities, both business and personal, and sociability have changed extremely. Many facebook users visit