A wide range of organizational and human systems have been impacted by the growth of connectivity and the extraordinary increase in the creation and consumption of digital data. The internet age has seen discussions on whether human and technological interaction shifts are positive or negative for society. Analysts frequently worry that advancing technologies will undermine social institutions. Nevertheless, the beneficial factors present a majority of digital integration outcomes.
The more important and obvious reality is that three technological revolutions have caused many people to live their daily lives in social networks that are more widespread, less limited, and more diversified than the traditional interactive patterns, communities, villages, and workplaces. The proliferation of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram was part of the technological revolution, including the deployment of internet services (Graham & Dutton, 2019). They have instead created a new concept of networked individualism where people’s segmented personal networks—cultivated through digital experiences many of the same factors which those conventional, tight relationships offered in the past, such as sociability and support. They have not created a world of relentless social decline or unrelenting progress.
This transformation from strict social groups to flexible social networks has impacted personal interactions and the ability to meet one another needs. Some aspects of networked relationships are simpler and more fulfilling than those of their predecessors. Data build up the balance statement of the effects of super connectivity. Individuals are increasingly playing a prominent role in social situations; they have their own occupations, connections for their places of employment, calendars for their social and professional lives, and affinity groups (Graham & Dutton, 2019). They have their personal technology, which is most crucial. However, it is reasonable to suppose that virtually everyone in tightly constrained groups is still connected to the external world via the internet and smartphone applications.
People’s desire and ability to take advantage of more distant physical and emotional relationships are increasing due to the changing social environment. Particularly where connections are weaker, such as with friends, family, coworkers, distant acquaintances, and even distant neighbors, social media helps people stay connected. Even though they are weaker, these connections frequently offer essential components of knowledge, socialization, and comfort as people look for work, deal with health problems, make purchasing decisions, and navigate bureaucracies (Graham & Dutton, 2019). Most crucially, by connecting individuals to the more significant cultural framework of society, they reach the broader social circles that define people’s positions in life.
However, not every individual is similarly connected. Some lack access to the internet, promoting networked individualism, preferring to remain in their local groups of family, community, or profession. Concerns about digital disparities have been raised as a result. Not everyone wants access to the internet, despite the fact that a lack of resources is a significant factor for some people who do not use multiple techniques. The experts also predict dangers to interpersonal ethics, hacking, and crime at this time (Graham & Dutton, 2019). Many are concerned that the development of advanced internet media may cause societal conflicts. They also worry about how technology will influence employment, which is threatened due to current advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence.
Therefore, the rising presence of the internet in social life change the patterns people manage their life. People have more opportunities to communicate with the community and more options to be reached by others when they have connections and access to more information through the internet. However, as technology advances, harmful actors and concepts will appear accordingly to find new methods to exploit these brand-new conditions of social life.
Reference
Graham M. & Dutton W. H. (Eds.). (2019). Society and the internet: How networks of information and communication are changing our lives. Oxford University Press.