The Internet and Society

Society changes and change is one thing no one can stop; even a powerful and big country like the United States of America would not dare challenge the inevitable transformation that is happening in society. According to technology and internet experts, most radical changes will be seen in the news and publishing organizations while the least is in religious foundation in the next ten years. Along with these forecasts are the changes that are bound to happen in educational and health care institutions, as well as in various workplaces. Families and communities will also undergo several transformations, but not as radical as many other social arrangements.

These experts also believe that Internet and the use of it (may it be proper or not) will be deeply involved in the aforementioned changes. It is undeniable that nowadays, the society, especially in the United States, makes use of this technology as if life depends on it; and this will go on until the next decade. Some of the predicted changes in the society in the next ten years, along with the Internet's involvement to these changes are summarized in the following:

Change - Internet's Involvement Summary

1. Involvement in civic organizations and activities will increase to a large extent (sports, political, professional, religious and others)- Americans use the Internet, especially e-mails and chat rooms to intensify their connection and relationship with their local (as well as international) community who have the same interests with them

2. Politics enthusiasts, religious advocates and groups devoted to violence will be strengthen - In the next decade, tight personal networks will thrive online because internet is a powerful communication medium that is wielded by both the good and the evil, who of course, will have an easier time sustaining themselves through the Internet

3. Information that go against ones' viewpoints on social and political issues will be filtered out to further cause discourses and chaos in the society - These information are of course rampant in the Internet, people can twist any information they see online just to find themselves a weapon against their social and political enemies to further arguments and to make sure they win their fray

4. Substantial improvement of health care problems; including high costs, poor customer service, medical errors and malpractice - Online medical resources will help solve these problems as everything will be accessible to many Americans; especially educated consumers who see the benefits of electronic medical records and remote observation of patients.

One thing is for certain, the internet is merely a tool, not a replacement for life. Sociologists may employ the aid of Internet for research purposes as well as understanding the nature of the society as well as the changes that are happening nowadays so as to find solutions to future problems. But then again, the Internet, powerful as it is, is just a device.