What Is The Impact Of Internet On Our Generation?

While the specific impact of the Internet on a whole generation is hard to determine, there is no doubt that the world-spanning communication system has already had its impact. Generations have been classified by sociologists and media pundits based on what they lived with and lived through. The current population in the age range of about 18 to 30 has been given its title as the Internet Generation. Some call it Generation I.

Some observers have problems with trying to classify a particular generation or group of people. But a generation study does help us understand how people develop their beliefs and their habits. In the case of the Internet Generation, and their parents to a lesser extent, the beliefs and habits have been greatly influenced by the use of technology. One of the truths about the differences in generations is that the younger people today rely on computers, calculators and so on to check the work they have done on paper. Older generations use paper to check the work they do on computers and calculators.

This reliance on electronics and technology, not to mention the comfort younger people feel with computers, is certainly part of the impact the Internet has had on this generation. This may be the most connected group of people in the world’s history. Members of the generation depend on the World Wide Web for information and contact friends and family through text messaging and instant messaging services. Music is listened to on MP3 players, with most of the tunes downloaded from Web sites.

While it may be stretching the truth a bit to say that Generation I couldn’t live without the Internet, there is evidence that lack of access to the Web, for example, has a very negative effect on the daily lives of the members. Many years ago, a sociologist/author wrote of the global village, noting how the world was smaller because of instant electronic communication. Information is delivered immediately from thousands of miles away.

In the 21st century an entire generation has taken up residency in this worldwide village. There is some concern about members of the generation having the ability to work apart from the Internet, the Web and electronic equipment. A few continue to experience the “thrill” of manual labor and others do seem to adjust when hands-on activity is called for.

Students from this generation are notoriously averse to reading, in far too many cases. Computer databases substitute for phone directories, for research at the library and even for reading a novel or non-fiction book. On the positive side, members of the Internet Generation are completely comfortable with the use of a keyboard, joystick, monitor, mouse etc. Education is increasingly focused on computer instruction, to the point that some younger people are getting a significant portion of their higher education via the Internet. With all this in mind, it is possible that an entire generation grew up regarding everyone on the planet as a neighbor. Whether this will have positive results remains to be seen.

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