This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for the Internet. No, not because of cat videos, celebrity gossip sites, or memes, but because of all the good the web does for society! It’s easy to forget about the impact that the Internet has made on our lives, but the truth is, the world would be a very different place without it.
Charities and Nonprofits
Without the Internet, nonprofits would struggle to collect the funds they need to make a difference. Many organizations rely on their websites, email marketing and social media to spread awareness of their mission and to raise money. Peer-to-peer fundraising is becoming increasingly popular as well. You may have logged onto your Facebook page recently and seen a friend post about an event they are participating in that supports a particular foundation. People are relying on their online networks to help raise donations for the charities they support.
Education
The Internet and education go hand-in-hand. Learning about almost any topic is now as easy as a simple Google search. Students rely on the web daily to gather free information about their fields of study. Whitepapers, eBooks and articles about specific subjects can be accessed in minutes. Library visits are rarely needed now that the Internet has made personal computers and smartphones their own information centers.
Communication
The Internet has the power to connect people in a way that no other medium has. Everyday, people interact with each other online. Social networking websites help people keep in touch with friends and loved ones, even if they are miles away. Video conferencing allows you to virtually be with people anywhere in the world. Forums connect people with similar interests. Emails and instant messaging applications provide a way to have direct conversations. It’s hard to imagine not having these forms of communication available to us.
Over the past few years, many of us have grown so dependent on the Internet, that we haven’t taken a moment to truly appreciate it. The Internet is a powerful tool that helps people every day. There are endless ways that the web can positively affect society. Also, we love a good cat video. So this Thanksgiving, when you are reflecting on all of the things you are grateful for, make sure to keep the Internet in mind!
Infographic Sources
- http://www.nptechforgood.com/2015/09/16/20-must-know-fundraising-and-social-media-stats/
- http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/03/19/internet-seen-as-positive-influence-on-education-but-negative-influence-on-morality-in-emerging-and-developing-nations/
- https://getreferralmd.com/2013/09/healthcare-social-media-statistics/
- http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/26/news/mark-zuckerberg-united-nations-poverty-internet/
- http://www.pewinternet.org/2001/09/01/the-internet-and-education/
- http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2015/01/21/2015-worldwide-internet-mobile-social-media-trends-get-376-pages-data/
- http://www.radicati.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Email-Statistics-Report-2013-2017-Executive-Summary.pdf