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Evidence-Based Research on Internet Connectivity: A Prerequisite for Effective Policymaking

by Christopher S. Yoo and Sharada Srinivasan

IEEE Internet Initiative eNewsletter, March 2017

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Internet connectivity has demonstrated benefits for end users in terms of economic opportunity, education, health, and empowerment. Unfortunately, only a little more than half of the world’s 7 billion citizens have access to the internet, and internet adoption rates have begun to decline.

A wide range of governments, companies, and civil society organizations are experimenting with new ways to connect more people to the internet. Recent research has revealed that promoting adoption is a more complex problem than initially thought. Surveys conducted in both the developing and the developed world consistently find that lack of perceived relevance and lack of digital literacy represent barriers that are just as important as network availability and cost.  These insights underscore that interventions that promote adoption must address user-based concerns as well as provider-based concerns. To paraphrase the movie Field of Dreams , it is simply not true that if you build it, they will come.

To date, however, little effort has been made to catalog efforts to connect more people to the internet in a systematic manner, which tends to bias any assessments in favor of success stories. Moreover, projects to date have made little attempt to assess their effectiveness empirically. The scant data that exists is ad hoc and does not lend itself to cross-project comparisons and tends to value internet access as a value in and of itself instead of studying whether it promotes more substantive outcomes, such as economic development, education, health care, and gender equality. The result is that governments seeking to promote greater internet connectivity and development banks deciding how much support to provide are left to try to separate the wheat from the chaff based more on conjecture than fact.

What is needed is systematic, evidence-based research that is tied explicitly to sustainable development goals. At 1 World Connected , a research project of the Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition at the University of Pennsylvania, we are working to fill this gap by identifying over six hundred potential case studies spanning all continents and a wide range of demand-side and supply-side interventions. We are working to collect data about all of these case studies, measured in terms of cost effectiveness and in terms of development goals such as economic growth, improved health care, increased educational opportune, and gender parity. The stories abound of efforts to provide internet connectivity to remote areas of the world that are off the electrical grid or where the terrain or level of socioeconomic development makes serving them particularly difficult.

There are three key components to our project, each of which is necessary to provide the greatest policy impact:

Analyzing and sharing innovative technological and business approaches to connect the unconnected

Countries all over the world are facing similar challenges to increasing network availability.  These include the absence of electric power, limited availability of spectrum, and the difficulty developing sustainable business models, just to name a few. Providing a repository that covers all current initiatives, the challenges they face, and the ways in which they attempt to surmount these challenges can allow communities to benefit from the difficult lessons and insights that others have learned during the course of deploying their own networks. This evidence can also shed light on key regulatory and policy levers that can help connectivity projects proliferate.

Identifying reasons that individuals are not adopting and sharing innovative strategies to reach them

The fact that people remain hesitant to become internet users even when network access is available suggests that interventions that focus only on providers are likely to be incomplete and ineffective. Many governments, companies, and civil society organizations are pursuing initiatives to make internet usage more relevant to their societies by seeking to promote locally relevant content as well as job applications, e-government, e-health, and other services that demonstrate the value of an internet connection. In addition, these same entities are deploying a wide variety of programs to promote digital literacy and ICT skills through app-based training, in-person training, vehicles that facilitate post-training communities, and other efforts. 1 World Connected seeks to identify these interventions and to evaluate their effectiveness.

Systematically analyzing the impact of connectivity on various measures of economic opportunity, health, education, agriculture, and gender parity

Making the case for promoting internet connectivity ultimately depends on proving a connection to development outcomes. This requires the collection of relevant baseline data and evaluating the impact that interventions have made on the community where they have been deployed. When combined with measurements of cost-effectiveness of various interventions in different contexts, this information demonstrates how accelerating connectivity at the grassroots level can promote key social outcomes.

These efforts represent the first step in creating an empirical foundation on which to base internet policy. The hope is that such information will support decision making that is based on data instead of rhetoric.

Editor’s note: Christopher Yoo will lead a working group session on this topic at IEEE’s Internet Inclusion: Advancing Solutions event 24-25 April, 2017.

Christopher S. Yoo is the John H. Chestnut Professor of Law, Communication, and Computer & Information Science and the Founding Director of the Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on the insights that the principles of network engineering and imperfect competition provide into the regulation of the Internet and intellectual property. His major research initiatives include a study of innovative approaches to connecting more of the world’s citizens to the internet; an exploration of the legal aspects of providing privacy and security for autonomous vehicles and medical devices; and a comparison of competition law in China, Europe, and the United States. Before entering the academy, Professor Yoo clerked for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the US Supreme Court and Judge A. Raymond Randolph of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. He also practiced law with Hogan & Hartson (then Hogan Lovells) under the supervision of John G. Roberts, Jr (the current Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court). He also served as a professor at the Vanderbilt Law School, where he led the technology and entertainment law program. He is a graduate of Harvard College, the Anderson School at UCLA, and the Northwestern University School of Law. The author of four books and more than 70 articles and book chapters, Professor Yoo testifies frequently before US and foreign governmental and regulatory authorities.

Sharada Srinivasan is a research fellow at the Center for Technology, Innovation and Competition, University of Pennsylvania. At 1 World Connected, her research is focused on empirical validation of innovative initiatives that address supply- and demand-side challenges to improve broadband adoption globally. She is an active participant in the intersessional work of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum and moderates the Dynamic Coalition on Innovative Approaches to Connecting the Unconnected. In the past, she has engaged with regulatory barriers to internet deployment in the developing world, cybersecurity, encryption policy and network neutrality at internship stints with the Global Public Policy Institute, Berlin, and the Centre for Internet and Society, Bangalore. She was an Amazon fellow at the 10th UN Internet Governance Forum and a Global Internet Governance Fellow at the European Summer School of Internet Governance 2015.

Dr. Ali Kashif Bashir received his Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Korea University, South Korea. He has served National Institute of Technology, Nara, Japan as Assistant Professor. He has also served Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, Japan and National Fusion Research Institute, South Korea as Postdoc fellow. Dr. Ali is a senior member of IEEE and an active member of ACM and IEICE. He has given several invited and keynote talks and is a reviewer of top journals and conferences. His research interests include: cloud computing (NFV/SDN), network virtualization, IoT, network security, wireless networks, etc. He is also serving as editor-in-chief of the IEEE Internet Technology Policy Newsletter and IEEE Future Directions Newsletter.

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About: This newsletter features technical, policy, social, governmental, but not political commentary related to the internet. Its contents reflect the viewpoints of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions and views of IEEE. It is published by the IEEE Internet Initiative to enhance knowledge and promote discussion of the issues addressed.

Broadband Basics: How it Works, Why It’s Important, and What Comes Next

Answers to baseline questions about internet infrastructure and policy.

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Reliable high-speed broadband is essential to life in the U.S. today. With historic federal investments now available, states are working to expand access to high-speed internet.

Broadband Basics covers network components, technologies, infrastructure, broadband policy, and barriers to access.

Anatomy of the Internet

To understand broadband policy, infrastructure, and technologies, it’s important first to understand how the internet works .

The internet is not, as the old joke goes, a series of tubes. It’s a complex set of interconnected networks—each owned and run by different internet service providers (ISPs) —through which data travels.

But not all networks are created equal. Networks that enable high-speed internet, for example, are known as broadband.

A broadband network is made of three main components .

• The backbone: Large fiber optic pipes, often buried deep underground, crossing state and national boundaries, that are the main data routes on the internet and the primary path for internet traffic between and within countries.
• The middle mile (aka “backhaul”): The part of a broadband network that connects the backbone to the last mile.
• The last mile: The segment of a broadband network that connects a local internet service provider to a customer, such as via a cable line to the home.

All About ISPs

ISPs can be municipal utilities, electric and telephone cooperatives, or private businesses, such as cable or telephone companies.

They fall into three tiers based on how they transport and exchange data among networks, their geographic reach, and whether they pay for “transit” on—meaning to use—other providers’ networks.

Tier 1 : Large ISPs that own, operate, and maintain infrastructure, including the internet backbone.

• Reach : Global.
• Costs : Tier 1 ISPs coordinate with each other to exchange traffic at no cost. After all, since they all carry roughly the same amount of data on each of their networks, the costs they incur—and the fees they could charge one another—for exchanging data across networks are effectively the same.
• Examples : AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Lumen (CenturyLink), Verizon, and Zayo.

Tier 2: Typically, large cable providers and telecommunications companies that exchange data over their networks but must buy transit from Tier 1 ISPs to reach other parts of the internet.

• Reach : Regional.
• Costs : Generally, Tier 2 ISPs exchange data for free with other providers in some parts of their networks, but purchase transit services, which allow the ISPs to move user data across another provider’s network.
• Examples : Comcast, Cox, Frontier, and TDS.

Tier 3 : Usually last-mile service providers or those that offer only direct connections to customers.

• Reach : Local.
• Costs : Tier 3 ISPs must buy access to the broader internet, either through direct contracts with Tier 1 providers or by buying services from Tier 2 providers that include connections to Tier 1 networks.
• Examples : All Points Broadband and Ruralband.

Data exchanges across networks occur at internet exchange points (IXPs) —typically large buildings where multiple carriers house equipment to link their networks. The data is transferred using network switches , which operate much like railroad switches, to efficiently move data from one network to another along the most direct route.

How do broadband networks affect user experience?

The slowest link in this system—usually the last mile—determines how quickly content loads on your screen. Two factors determine how slow the slowest link is :

• Bandwidth : The capability of telecommunications networks to transmit data and signals, measured in bits per second (bps).
• Throughput : The amount of data that can pass through a communications system. Throughput is a function of bandwidth: the greater the bandwidth, the greater the throughput.

Think of the relationship between these two metrics as a road. Bandwidth is the number of lanes, and throughput is the amount of traffic. The wider the road, the more traffic it can carry at full speed before becoming congested and slowing down.

Remember the backbone? It’s like an interstate, offering high bandwidth. 

And the middle mile might be a state highway.

The last mile is more like a neighborhood street. It’s the narrowest stretch, and therefore the one most likely to be congested. 

Some individual homes may require a line extension —a connection to existing wired broadband infrastructure along the road or to a neighborhood fiber node. This final segment is like a home’s driveway, which links the house to the network of roads.

Even though the last mile is the most likely to experience slowdowns, any part of the network can get congested, leading to endless spinning wheels and buffering.

How do you access the internet?

The content on computers, phones, tablets, and other devices is largely generated by edge providers—large retail, social media, technology, or video streaming companies (such as Google, Netflix, and Facebook) or individuals who offer content, such as blogs or websites.

Their data reaches users via content delivery networks (CDNs), systems of servers typically owned by large technology firms such as Amazon CloudFront and Akamai. CDNs function as data warehouses, storing copies of web content in various locations to shorten the distance between users and the content they want. This arrangement cuts the time it takes for data to load after the user clicks a link.

Let’s Connect

Understanding the technologies that allow Americans to access the internet is crucial to effective broadband policy.

Internet service providers (ISPs) rely on a variety of technologies to connect users to the internet :

• Wireline connections.
• Fixed wireless connections.
• Satellite connections.

These technologies vary in terms of speed —the rate at which they transmit data—and in terms of latency , the amount of time it takes data to travel to its destination and back along the network.

Wireline connections

Wireline connections are the most common type of home broadband connection in the U.S.

They involve three main types of physical lines running to a structure.

Cable internet service is provided by cable television companies over a hybrid network, meaning it uses two main types of wires:

• Fiber lines go to neighborhood nodes.
• Coaxial cables transmit data from the nodes to residences and businesses.
• Primarily available in urban and suburban areas

Digital subscriber line (DSL) service uses a two-wire copper telephone line:

• Allows consumers to simultaneously use the internet and a landline telephone.
• Slowed by distance—the farther a signal must travel, the slower it will be.
• The oldest internet service technology in the U.S.—losing customers due to slow speeds.

Fiber to the home (FTTH), aka fiber to the premises (FTTP), relies on fiber optic cables:

• Fastest speeds with low latencies.
• More future-proof than the other technologies and can be continually upgraded for faster service.
• Federal and many state broadband programs prioritize fiber investments.

Federal investments made through major legislation in 2021 and 2022 prioritize fiber infrastructure projects, and in response leading ISPs committed to invest $60 billion over three years starting in 2022 to build out FTTH.

Wireless connections

Wireless internet involves three main types of technology.

Fixed wireless connections involve beaming signals through the air from a tower and are frequently used in remote or rural areas with low housing density.

As with DSL, speeds get slower as the user gets farther from the transmitter. These connections cover fewer than half of U.S. households but can provide a reliable last-mile option for rural areas .

Satellite connections are another alternative for rural consumers, but they can be expensive and aren’t easy to distribute widely. These connections come in two types:

• Geostationary technologies involve individual satellites orbiting at more than 22,000 miles above the Earth.
• Low-Earth orbit broadband uses constellations of satellites in orbit 200 to 800 miles above the Earth.

Finally, mobile connections are a crucial part of today’s world.

• More than 83% of Americans access the internet via smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.
• Mobile devices are the only means of internet connection for 15% of Americans.

Mobile communications include two main technologies.

• Usually offers speeds above 1 megabit per second (Mbps).
• The most common mobile technology.
• Usually offers speeds of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) or higher.
• In the process of being deployed on a large scale by providers.

Wireless infrastructure depends on spectrum—electromagnetic radio frequencies—to transmit data to end users’ devices. Spectrum may be “licensed,” that is, specific frequencies granted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to individual ISPs for their exclusive use, or “unlicensed,” meaning available for use by anyone.

Different technologies require different spectrums. For instance, 5G uses high frequencies that enable data to travel faster but not as far as at lower frequencies. To make up for those distance limitations, 5G service requires a greater density of transmitters and receivers to carry data than do 4G and earlier generations of wireless service that rely on lower frequency spectrums.

Laying the Groundwork

Americans view billions of web pages, stream millions of videos, and spend hours scrolling through social media every day.

And all this connectivity relies on the physical infrastructure of the internet —cables, wires, servers, routers, network switches, and more.

Building, connecting, and maintaining that infrastructure is complicated , involving a host of steps, such as attaching wires and other equipment to utility poles and siting wireless facilities.

First step: Get access to the land

To build broadband networks, internet service providers (ISPs) need to install infrastructure on public and private land. And for that, they need permits or easements.

Next step: Lay the groundwork

Fiber and other wired infrastructure are either placed aerially on poles owned by telephone or electric companies or buried underground.

Aerial installations involve “make ready” work , in which utility companies and ISPs ensure that the poles are ready to have new equipment attached.

For underground deployments, fiber lines and other broadband cables are run through conduit—plastic tubing that protects the lines from damage. An ISP may add excess fiber or conduit in anticipation of future needs as either “dark” or “lit” fiber.

• Dark fiber is not yet connected to the equipment necessary to supply internet service.
• Lit fiber is connected and transporting data.

What about wireless?

Fixed and mobile wireless services use towers and antennas. The sites where these facilities are placed fall into two categories.

Macrocell Sites

• Provide coverage to large areas.
• Often on telecommunications towers, although may be co-located on other structures, such as water towers.
• Require “line of sight” between towers for signal to travel from site to site unobstructed.

Microcell Sites

• Provide coverage to a small area.
• Needed for 5G mobile wireless and wi-fi service.

Zoning for wireless

Both macrocell and microcell sites are usually subject to local zoning requirements, which address location, safety, and aesthetics. Common zoning regulations include:

• Tower height limits.
• Camouflage requirements (for example, when towers look like artificial trees).
• Co-location —placing new equipment on existing towers or other structures, such as water towers, rather than erecting new towers.

To reduce the cost of deploying wireless service, many states have limited local control over the size, placement, and scale of wireless infrastructure. In addition, the FCC has pre-empted local control over microcell zoning.

Challenges in rural infrastructure

States are increasingly looking to improve the availability of broadband, particularly in rural and unserved communities. These areas often lack a sufficiently dense customer base to entice commercial ISPs.

New federal laws have made billions of dollars available to states to expand broadband infrastructure. But no single solution can connect all communities to high-speed, affordable internet.

Among the strategies now being deployed are:

• Allowing electric cooperatives to offer internet.
• Forming regional utility districts to supply broadband .
• Using investor-owned utilities to improve the availability of critical infrastructure .

States lead on expanding broadband

Because no single approach will work for every state or community, states are creating broadband programs that meet their unique needs. These programs will also help states take advantage of the billions of new federal dollars available.

Successful state efforts to expand broadband access do three key things:

• Establish broadband offices.
• Provide planning and technical help.
• Create competitive grant programs.

Together, these steps foster community engagement, enable effective stewardship of public funds, and ensure that state and local activities remain focused on achieving universal broadband access.

Barriers to access

American life—from work to education to health care—is increasingly moving online. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated that process and underscored the need for reliable, consistent high-speed internet access for all. Access refers to the existence of infrastructure to support high-speed internet service in a given geographic area.

But more than 40 million Americans lack access to home broadband. What’s more, nearly 1 in 4 Americans have not “adopted” broadband (subscribed to home internet) when a connection is available.

Adoption rates are even lower among adults who are low-income, rural, non-White, 65 and older, or not college-educated.

Three main factors affect internet adoption

Research has shown that cost is the primary barrier for low-income households. Pew Research Center found that 45% of people who do not have broadband cite the high monthly cost as a reason. And 37% cite the cost of a computer.

Smartphones, Financial Barriers, and Outside Options Among Reasons for Not Having Home Broadband

Percentage of nonbroadband users in the U.S. who cited each a reason or as the most important reason

How much do American households pay for broadband?

Although nationwide data on pricing is limited, estimates of the average monthly bill for service range from less than $50 to nearly $70 . And that doesn’t include additional one-time or monthly fees, which could bring bills up to an average of $85 a month.

High costs leave low-income households at a disadvantage, worsening inequities and deepening the digital divide.

Addressing affordability requires a combination of approaches:

• Supply-side solutions to reduce the cost of building networks and delivering service.
• Demand-side interventions such as policies and programs that help low-income consumers cover the cost of connections and devices.

What’s Next

Want to keep up with more broadband policy news and research? Join our email list to stay on top of our newest research and recommendations .

Find more in-depth information on our Broadband Expansion page.

• Andrew Perrin, “Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2021” (The Pew Research Center, 2021), https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/06/03/mobile-technology-and-home-broadband-2021/ .

How Does the Internet Work?

Policymakers working to improve the availability and affordability of high-speed internet service, or broadband, need to understand how data travels across the millions of miles of pipes, cables, wires, and other equipment owned by various ISPs between users across the country and around the world.

Broadband Expansion: What Are the Essential Components?

Despite more than three decades of public and private efforts to expand broadband availability, at least 18 million Americans nationwide—and perhaps more than 42 million—lack access to high-speed internet service. And millions more cannot afford a broadband connection even if one is available.

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Articles on Internet access

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Does the Internet Bring People Closer Together or Further Apart? The Impact of Internet Usage on Interpersonal Communications

1 Business School, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China

Guangjie Ning

2 HSBC Business School, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China

Qianqian Liu

Associated data.

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS, http://cgss.ruc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm (accessed on 25 September 2022). Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for this study. Data are also available from the authors with the permission of the CGSS.

The complementarity interference (CI) model suggests that the Internet may either inhibit or facilitate interpersonal communications. This paper empirically examines the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal interactions, using a micro dataset from China to answer whether the Internet brings people closer together or further apart. The empirical results demonstrate, first, that Internet usage significantly increases both the time and frequency of people’s communications with their family and friends, rather than causing them to feel more disconnected and isolated. Holding other factors constant, for each one-standard-deviation increase in Internet usage, weekly communications with family members increases by an average of 102.150 min, while there is an average increase of 54.838 min in interactions with friends. These findings as to its positive effects are robust when using other regression models and interpersonal contact measures, as well as the instrumental variable method. Second, Internet usage also contributes to decreased loneliness; it exerts this effect primarily by improving people’s interactions with their family members. However, communications with friends do not significantly mediate such impacts. Third, the positive role of Internet usage on communications is more prominent for people with more frequent online socialization and self-presentation, better online skills, younger age, higher educational level, and who are living in urban areas. In addition, the beneficial effects of Internet usage are larger for communications with family members in the case of migrants. Therefore, in the context of the rapid development of information technology, the network infrastructure should be improved to make better use of the Internet to facilitate interpersonal communications and promote people’s wellness.

1. Introduction

Whether Internet usage brings people closer together or further apart is an important but unanswered question. With the rapid development of information technology, the Internet has been widely used in various areas almost all over the world. According to Internet World Stats, compared with the year 2000, the number of global Internet users in 2022 has increased by 14.16 times. By 31 July 2022, there were 5.47 billion Internet users in the world out of the 7.93 billion global population, and the penetration rate has steadily risen to 68.98% [ 1 ]. The rapid taking up of the Internet has profoundly changed human society in multiple aspects. On the macro level, it has reduced transaction costs, promoted industrial upgrading [ 2 , 3 ], and driven economic development [ 4 , 5 ]. On the micro level, the Internet has tremendous impacts on people’s daily lives and has changed their lifestyles, habits, attitudes and preferences [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. However, the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is still unclear. The complementarity interference (CI) model suggests that the Internet may either inhibit or facilitate interpersonal interactions.

On the one hand, in terms of the interference aspects, there may be a crowding-out effect of Internet usage on interpersonal contacts. Using the Internet may divert people’s attention from communicating with family and friends to other activities, such as playing online games, surfing websites, watching online videos, and live streaming. This may lead people to ignore real-life communications [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. In addition, excessive addiction to the Internet can also trigger people’s depression, anxiety, and emotional impulsivity, resulting in a poor psychological state and even social phobias [ 12 , 13 ]. This may also cause people to reduce their interpersonal interactions. Based on this finding, it has been hypothesized that the more time spent on the Internet, the fewer interpersonal communications there will be.

On the other hand, in terms of complementarity, the Internet may facilitate interpersonal communications by reducing communication costs and providing opportunities for teleconferencing. Before the popularization of modern information technologies, people could only communicate by meeting face to face. Later, the development of communication technologies, such as the telegraph and telephone, eliminated the geographical boundaries of interpersonal contacts and made remote communication a reality. However, traditional communication technologies can only transmit information via voice and text messages and have the drawback of high cost. The Internet has greatly reduced the cost of communications, shortened the distances between disparate groups, and has even made it possible for people to meet via video conferencing [ 14 ]. In addition, Internet technologies have brought a variety of emerging communication platforms, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom, and WeChat, helping people to communicate more conveniently at a much lower cost [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. On the basis of this evolution, it is hypothesized that the more time people spend on the Internet, the more interpersonal communications there are.

Interpersonal communications are essential to building social networks, which is also a necessary channel to help people establish social trust and enhance their sense of belonging and happiness [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Therefore, in the context of the rapid development of Internet technology, it is of great importance to clarify the impact of the Internet on interpersonal communications. If Internet usage can facilitate interpersonal interactions at a lower cost and in a more convenient way, then we should make full use of this technology to promote communications. Conversely, if the Internet reduces interpersonal communications, then necessary measures should be taken to alleviate its negative effects on interpersonal interactions while utilizing the benefits of the Internet in other aspects. Therefore, this paper aims to empirically examine the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, using the Chinese General Social Survey. The robustness and endogeneity of the results are also tested from multiple perspectives. On this basis, we further explore the impact of Internet usage on people’s feelings of loneliness and the mediating role of interpersonal communications. In addition, the heterogeneities of the Internet’s effects are systematically investigated.

Compared with the existing literature, the contributions of this paper are mainly reflected in two aspects. First, this paper enriches the research concerning the Internet’s impacts on people. Most of the existing literature examines the influence of the Internet from the points of view of working conditions, psychological states, emotions, health, preferences, and lifestyles [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], while little research has been conducted concerning its effect on interpersonal communications. Second, this paper deepens our understanding of the influencing factors of interpersonal interactions, from the new perspective of modern information technology. Existing studies in the field of social communications have mainly focused on the effects of demographic characteristics, social identities, culture, and so on [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], lacking any assessment of the impact of the Internet.

This paper aims to examine the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, as well as to investigate the heterogeneities in its effect, to systematically answer whether the Internet brings people closer together or pushes them further apart. This study is carried out following the research logic of “literature review—theoretical framework—empirical tests—further discussion—heterogeneity analysis”. A systematic literature review is given in Section 2 . Based on the literature, a theoretical framework using the complementarity interference (CI) model is presented in Section 3 , wherein the hypotheses are proposed. To test the theory, the data, variables, and empirical results are presented in Section 4 and Section 5 . Section 6 further discusses the impact of Internet usage on loneliness and the mediating role of interpersonal communications, as well as the Internet’s effects in other respects. Section 7 explores the heterogeneities of the impact of Internet usage. Section 8 summarizes all the conclusions drawn in the above sections, Section 9 identifies the theoretical and practical implications, and Section 10 discusses the study’s limitations and further research directions.

2. Literature Review

2.1. the impact of internet usage on people’s lives.

With the advancement of information technology, the Internet has become more and more indispensable in people’s daily lives. The Internet has brought tremendous positive impacts in multiple aspects. For example, Internet-based telecommuting is becoming a convenient and increasingly popular mode of work around the world [ 28 ]. Moreover, studies have found that self-presentation on social media helps users to achieve higher psychological well-being [ 29 ]. Heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the positive impact of self-presentation on social media on psychological well-being is more significant in those with higher self-esteem [ 30 ]. Through online comparisons, people are able to generate benign envy, which is helpful for inspiration [ 22 , 31 ].

However, it has also been found that the Internet has mixed and heterogeneous impacts on its users. For example, while for girls, daily Internet use was not associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms [ 32 ], for boys, a positive association between the two factors did exist [ 33 ]. Interestingly, a study based on a Chinese sample found a significantly positive association between Internet use and mental health [ 34 ]. Many studies have also identified jealousy as one of the main symptoms of poorer states of mental health resulting from Internet use [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. In addition to psychological health, existing studies find a significant negative association between mobile Internet use and self-rated health [ 34 ]. Moreover, online games are one of the most significant applications of the Internet and their impacts are controversial. It is found that frequent exposure to violent online games tends to be associated with an increase in aggressive behavior, desensitization, and physiological arousal, while also showing a decrease in empathy [ 38 ]. However, other studies have found that the correlation between online games and aggressive behaviors is not significant [ 23 , 24 ]. In addition, practical games are widely used in multiple areas of education, healthcare, sustainability projects, training, and consultancy, but their effectiveness varies due to differences in the designs [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].

Furthermore, Internet usage has also led to the emergence of Internet addiction, a new clinical disorder [ 44 ]. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased people’s Internet online usage and a rising prevalence of Internet addiction has been reported among people in various occupations [ 45 , 46 ]. Although Internet addiction has not been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA), existing studies have shown that it is a new type of serious mental disorder [ 47 ]. There are heterogeneities in the severity and prevalence of Internet addiction. Regionally, Internet addiction has a greater impact on Internet users in developed areas, such as in Europe and the United States [ 48 , 49 ]. Studies also found that those with greater neuroticism are more likely to become addicted to the Internet [ 50 , 51 ]. Heterogeneity also exists in terms of gender, age, and social class. For example, people with a higher social class are less likely to experience Internet addiction [ 49 , 52 ].

2.2. Factors Affecting Interpersonal Communications

Interpersonal communication is a complex social process and is closely related to people’s well-being. Evidence shows that those with a high level of communication skills have a better mental health status compared to their counterparts [ 53 , 54 ]. Other studies have found that higher interpersonal stress is associated with stronger symptoms of insomnia, which, in turn, is associated with poorer mental health status [ 55 , 56 ]. In addition to its important impact on the psychological well-being of individuals, interpersonal communication also plays an essential role in building strong family relationships [ 57 , 58 ]. The importance of interpersonal communication is also reflected in many other aspects, including improving learning ability, obtaining job opportunities, promoting career development, etc. [ 59 , 60 ].

Regarding the factors affecting interpersonal communications, studies have found that age, gender, culture, social background, working characteristics, geographical distance, and technology exert a level of influence [ 25 , 58 , 61 ], although there is disagreement about the exact impact of these factors. For example, ethnic background affects interpersonal communications to some extent, mainly because people with different backgrounds are more likely to experience cultural misunderstandings with each other [ 26 ]. It has already been mentioned above that interpersonal communication can influence mental health and physical activities. Likewise, the two factors also affect interpersonal interaction. A study using a sample of college students found that social anxiety had a negative impact on their interpersonal communication skills, while psychological resilience played a mediating role between them, and perceived social support from teachers and classmates further moderated their psychological resilience [ 62 ]. It was also found that physical activity can facilitate family communication among family members because it provides more opportunities for them to meet [ 27 , 63 ].

In general, existing studies demonstrate that interpersonal communications are of great importance in promoting people’s mental health and helping families to build resilience. At the same time, interpersonal communications are conducive to acquiring new knowledge and playing a better role in both the family and society. Moreover, demographic, work, human capital, and social characteristics are the main factors that influence interpersonal communication.

2.3. Possible Relationship between Internet Usage and Interpersonal Communication

As mentioned above, interpersonal communication plays an important role in people’s lives, work, and careers; nowadays, it can be achieved by face-to-face interactions as well as via the Internet. At the same time, the Internet has both pros and cons in many aspects. So how does the Internet impact interpersonal communications? Based on existing research, it is believed that frequent exposure to the Internet distracts users from their offline lives [ 64 ]. For example, the use of mobile Internet via smartphones distracts parents from spending time with their children and undermines the communication between parents and children [ 65 ]. Furthermore, another study shows that children’s Internet use is also associated with a decrease in their participation in family activities. When people are overly dependent on the Internet, online activities can replace offline social connections with their family members and friends [ 11 , 66 ]. Internet addiction has also been proven to lead to a reduction in people’s social and interpersonal skills [ 47 , 67 ], which may further reduce their communications with family and friends. Although the effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications has not been directly studied, the aforementioned studies imply that time spent on the Internet may crowd out interpersonal interaction, to some extent.

However, other studies point to the possible positive effects of Internet usage on interpersonal communication. Thanks to the development of Internet technology, today, text messages and voice calls are no longer the main methods for people of all ages [ 15 , 16 ]. Social networking software and group chats have become popular communication platforms [ 27 , 68 ]. Many studies have found that the use of the Internet effectively brings much convenience to interpersonal connections for both the young and old cohorts [ 69 , 70 ], which in turn can benefit people’s well-being [ 71 ]. Indeed, compared with traditional communication methods, such as letters, telegraphs and phone calls, the Internet provides innovative means of communication, such as video meetings, in a more convenient and cost-saving way. For example, WhatsApp has been shown to facilitate intergenerational family interactions [ 17 ]. Facebook helps to maintain interpersonal relationships for those who have difficulty making social connections, especially for people with low self-esteem [ 72 ].

Overall, the Internet has changed people’s lives tremendously, although its effects on interpersonal communications have not been systematically tested. In this context, it can be hypothesized from the existing research that the Internet may crowd out interpersonal communications [ 47 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 ]. Nevertheless, many studies believe that the Internet reduces the cost of communication between people, offering more diverse and convenient ways to make contact [ 15 , 16 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. Therefore, it can also be speculated that the Internet may shorten the distances between people, thereby promoting interpersonal communication. However, even with theoretical analysis and the existing literature, the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal interactions is still unclear. In view of this gap in the literature, we aim to systematically investigate how the Internet affects interpersonal communication.

3. Theoretical Framework

3.1. internet usage.

This paper aims to investigate the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communication. For the explanatory variable, time spent on the Internet is the most direct and important indicator by which to measure Internet usage; it is very intuitive and is widely used [ 11 , 67 , 73 ]. In addition, it has been applied not only to characterize how people generally use the Internet in their daily life but also to measure possible excessive Internet use and Internet addiction [ 74 ].

3.2. Interpersonal Communications

Studies have shown that communications with family members and friends are most important in people’s daily interpersonal interactions [ 75 , 76 , 77 ]. In the benchmarking analysis, time spent on communications with family and friends is used to reflect interpersonal interactions. Meanwhile, considering that the frequency of interactions is also a very important indicator for interpersonal contact, this is used for further robustness analysis. Both kinds of indicators have been applied to measure the levels of interpersonal contact in existing research [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ].

The complementarity interference (CI) model [ 53 , 82 ] of the Internet, as illustrated in Figure 1 , provides a theoretical framework for analyzing the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communication. Based on the following theoretical analysis, Internet usage may either facilitate or deteriorate interpersonal communication.

The theoretical framework of the study.

3.3. Interference Aspects of Internet Usage

3.3.1. distracting attention.

Studies have confirmed a significantly negative correlation between online and offline activities [ 83 ]. The Internet may divert people’s attention away from interpersonal interactions to online activities, including video games, online news, short videos, live streaming, etc., leading users to neglect communications with family and friends in real life [ 10 , 66 ]. This suggests that Internet usage may shift people’s attention; there may be a crowding-out effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communication. In addition, research has also found a negative correlation between Internet usage and time spent accompanying family members [ 11 ]. Although they do not specifically examine how the Internet affects family communications, the findings imply that time spent online may reduce interpersonal interactions inside the family, to some extent. In addition, in parent–child contact, the parent’s attention is easily distracted by online activities via smartphones, resulting in compromised parent-child bonds [ 65 ].

3.3.2. Reducing Social Skills

It has been shown that people tend to establish fewer offline social networks when they are overly dependent on the Internet [ 68 ]. This may be due to the fact that Internet usage reduces people’s social and interpersonal skills [ 67 ], thereby decreasing their communications and interactions. Studies have also found that among adolescents with a higher prevalence of Internet addiction, social skills are generally poorer [ 47 ]. Moreover, Internet addiction is proven to be closely related to attention deficit disorders, further causing social phobia [ 84 ]. Another study has identified that inadequate social skills and social fears decrease interpersonal communication [ 85 ]. Consequently, Internet use may hinder interpersonal interactions by reducing people’s social skills.

3.3.3. Increasing Negative Emotions

Internet usage may trigger depression, anxiety, and impulsiveness in some people, resulting in poor psychological states and negative emotions [ 10 ]. This may also further lead to a decrease in interpersonal interactions [ 11 , 73 ]. In addition, compared with face-to-face communications, Internet-based interpersonal interactions are disadvantaged in terms of emotional transmission and are, thus, less effective in enhancing effective communication [ 53 , 83 ]. Another source of negative feelings brought about by the Internet is peer pressure. Nowadays, people tend to share their daily lives via online platforms, inadvertently causing them to make comparisons with the lives of others. This makes people more pessimistic about their body image and standard of living, resulting in increased anxiety [ 86 ]. The nervousness caused by peer pressure on the Internet leads users to be more reluctant to communicate with others in the real world.

Based on the interference aspects of Internet usage, Hypothesis 1 can be proposed:

The more hours people use the Internet, the less time they spend on interpersonal communications.

3.4. Complementarity Aspects of Internet Usage

3.4.1. reducing the cost of interpersonal communications.

Before the popularization of modern information technologies, people could only communicate face-to-face. Later, the telegraph and telephone eliminated the geographical boundaries of interpersonal contact and made remote communication a reality [ 87 ]. However, traditional communication techniques face the problem of high costs. The Internet has greatly reduced both the time and money needed for instant communication, narrowed the distances between people, and made simultaneous communication affordable. For example, compared with telephone calls, Internet-based voice calls and online meetings cost much less in time and money for people to communicate [ 14 , 88 ].

3.4.2. Enriching Communication Channels and Modes

Traditional communication technologies mainly transmit voice and text, but it is difficult for them to simulate face-to-face interactions. The Internet has spawned a variety of emerging communication channels and modes, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Zoom, and WeChat, which can help people to replicate face-to-face interactions more realistically online [ 15 , 16 ]. For example, during the COVID-19 epidemic, various network platforms facilitated remote working and learning [ 89 ]. Without the Internet, this would have been almost unachievable. In addition, Internet-based communications help to improve the quality of people’s long-distance interactions compared to traditional methods. For example, it has been established that WhatsApp, an instant online messaging tool, can promote intergenerational communication among family members and help them build better bridges of understanding with each other [ 17 ].

3.4.3. Building Wider Social Networks

The Internet helps people overcome communication barriers in real life, especially the fear of communicating with strangers, thereby establishing broader social networks [ 90 ]. Studies have found that Internet-based social networking platforms are effective in helping people share updates and, thus, build wider social connections across age, race, gender, geography, and social class boundaries [ 70 ]. Moreover, these enlarged social networks also create positive spillover effects in other aspects, improving people’s welfare. For example, people can use social media to communicate with others on health topics, which helps them become more health-conscious and intrinsically motivated to participate in physical exercises [ 69 ]. Therefore, online social connections contribute to improving people’s well-being, as well as promoting interpersonal communication and interactions [ 71 , 91 ].

Based on the complementarity aspects of Internet usage, Hypothesis 2 can be proposed:

The more hours people use the Internet, the more time they spend on interpersonal communications.

4. Data and Measures

4.1. data source.

The data used in this paper come from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), one of the most important and nationally representative academic surveys in China. The CGSS aims to systematically and comprehensively investigate the social and economic situations of the Chinese people. CGSS is part of the world General Social Survey group and the sampling of CGSS is based on a multi-stage stratified design. The National Survey Research Center at the Renmin University of China (NSRC) has organized the Chinese Social Survey Network (CSSN), including 49 universities and provincial social science academies. Detailed information regarding CGSS can be accessed via http://cgss.ruc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm (accessed on 25 September 2022). The reason for using CGSS is mainly due to its three advantages. First, CGSS surveys people’s interpersonal communication and the factors influencing it in the extension module, which is a convenient way to construct the explained variables and control variables. Second, CGSS contains information on the respondents’ habits of Internet usage, which facilitates the construction of an explanatory variable for this research. Third, CGSS contains the ISCO-2008 (International Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008) codes of the respondents’ occupations, which helps us construct an instrumental variable, based on job characteristics, to deal with the endogeneity problem. Since the key explained and explanatory variables used in this paper are only available in the extension module of CGSS in 2017, the 2017-wave dataset is used for this research.

4.2. Measures

The main explained variable in this paper is the time spent on interpersonal communication by the respondents. Communication with family members and friends is most important in people’s daily interactions [ 75 , 76 ]; therefore, we constructed indicators for communications with family and friends, denoted as “family communication” and “friends communication”, respectively. The two variables come from the following questions in CGSS’s extension module, “How many hours do you spend on communicating with your family per week on average?” and “How many hours do you spend on communicating with your friends per week on average?”, respectively. In the robustness analysis, other indicators of interpersonal communications were also constructed. The explanatory variable of this paper is the time spent using the Internet, denoted as “Internet usage”. This variable is derived from the respondents’ answers to the question: “How many hours do you use the Internet per week on average?”.

Based on the relevant literature concerning the factors influencing interpersonal communications [ 61 , 62 ], in order to avoid the bias of omitted variables, this paper controls those factors related to interpersonal communications as comprehensively as possible in the following six aspects. (1) Basic demographic characteristics, including gender, age and the squared term of age. (2) Working characteristics, including personal income, whether the participant is working in the system and whether they have a pension and medical insurance. (3) Human capital characteristics, including educational level and health status. (4) Social characteristics, including whether the participant belongs to any ethnic minorities, have certain religious beliefs, or if they are a Communist Party of China (CPC) member. (5) Family characteristics include family size and the number of children. (6) Regional characteristics include provincial dummies. Detailed descriptions and statistics of the above variables are given in Table 1 .

Summary statistics.

Notes: The education level is classified from 1 to 13: 1—without any education, 2—kindergarten, 3—primary school, 4—junior high school, 5—vocational high school, 6—ordinary high school, 7—technical secondary school, 8—technical high school, 9—junior college (adult education), 10—junior college (regular education), 11—undergraduate (adult education), 12—undergraduate (regular education), 13—postgraduate and above. Health status is based on the self-rated health levels from 1 to 5: 1—very unhealthy, 2—relatively unhealthy, 3—medium, 4—relatively healthy, 5—very healthy.

5.1. Benchmark Results

To investigate the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, this paper first constructs the following ordinary least squares (OLS) benchmark econometric model.

In model (1), I n t e r p e r s o n a l _ c o m m u n i c a t i o n i and I n t e r n e t _ u s a g e i represent the time spent on interpersonal communications and Internet usage, respectively, by the respondent, i . The time spent on communicating with family and friends is used to characterize I n t e r p e r s o n a l _ c o m m u n i c a t i o n i . x i ′ is the vector of the series of control variables described above. d p is the provincial fixed effect. This paper estimates the relationship between interpersonal communications and Internet usage with this model.

Table 2 shows the regression results, based on the above OLS model. Columns (1)–(3) demonstrate the results of the estimations concerning communicating with family members and columns (4)–(6) are estimated results concerning communicating with friends. It is clear that Internet usage is significantly and positively related to the time spent on communications with both family members and friends. Here, we conduct regression analysis by sequentially including the controls of different characteristics, with the aim of exploring whether the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications is affected by other factors. Table 1 shows that, by gradually adding control variables from different aspects, the estimated coefficients of Internet use are stable at around 0.095 and 0.051 for the two explained variables, respectively. Moreover, all the estimates are significantly positive at the 1% level. This suggests that the more time people spend on the Internet, the more time they spend interacting with family and friends, supporting Hypothesis 2. It also means that the significant correlation between Internet usage and interpersonal interactions is not affected by other factors and is very robust. The above results prove that Internet usage does not lead to greater alienation among people. On the contrary, the Internet significantly enhances interpersonal communications.

Benchmark results.

Notes: ***, **, and * indicate significance at the levels of 1%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

In addition, the benchmark estimates also show that the effect of the Internet on interpersonal interactions is very notable. Holding other factors constant, for each one-standard-deviation increase in Internet usage (17.921 h per week), the weekly communication with family members increases by an average of 102.150 min (17.921 × 0.095 × 60), while there is an average increase of 54.838 min in interactions with friends. This demonstrates that while Internet usage has significantly positive effects on communications with both family and friends, it plays a more prominent role in facilitating interactions among family members.

5.2. Robustness and Endogeneity Checks

In order to examine the robustness of the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications, and to tackle potential endogeneity problems, this paper conducts a series of robustness and endogeneity checks.

5.2.1. Using the Poisson Model

Considering the fact that the dependent variables, which represent the time spent on communicating with family and friends, are discrete non-negative integers and fit the Poisson distribution, we use the Poisson model to conduct the robustness test. Table 3 shows that when using the Poisson model for communications with both family and friends, the estimated coefficients of Internet usage are all significantly positive at the 1% level. In addition, with the controlling characteristics as different aspects, the estimated coefficients of Internet usage fluctuate slightly but are generally very stable. This further confirms that our findings regarding Internet usage promoting people’s interpersonal communications do not rely on the selection of the OLS model.

Robustness checks using the Poisson model.

Notes: *** indicate significance at the levels of 1%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

5.2.2. Using Other Indicators of Interpersonal Communication

In benchmark regression, we use the time spent on communications with family and friends to characterize interpersonal interaction. However, there may be measurement errors in some people’s perceptions of time. Furthermore, communication time may not adequately characterize the frequency of interpersonal communications. Based on this theory, to test the robustness of the findings, this paper further uses the frequencies of communication with family and friends as dependent variables, denoted as “Family communication frequency” and “Friends communication frequency”. These are derived from the respondents’ responses to “How often do you keep in touch with your family, on average?” and “How often do you keep in touch with your friends, on average?”. Answers are classified based on an eight-level scale from 1 to 8, representing “never”, “rarely”, “several times a year”, “once a month”, “2–3 times a month”, “once a week”, “several times a week”, and “every day”, respectively. Since they are ordered and explained variables for which the disparities between different levels of the scale are not equivalent, ordered Probit (Oprobit) and Logit (Ologit) models, as well as the OLS model, are used for estimation. The regression results are shown in Table 4 . It is clear that when using these kinds of dependent variables to measure interpersonal communications, and no matter which model is applied, Internet usage has a significantly positive effect on the frequency of people’s interactions with family and friends, which further confirms the robustness of the findings.

Robustness checks, using other indicators of interpersonal communications.

5.2.3. Endogeneity Tests

There may be endogeneity problems in the benchmark estimates, therefore, the significant relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications may be a correlation rather than causality. The endogeneity problems may result from two aspects, comprising reverse causality and omitted variable bias. Regarding reverse causality, we suggest that people may use the Internet more frequently because they are more willing to communicate with family members and friends. For example, individuals who live alone, who frequently travel and migrate, may use the Internet because of the need to communicate remotely with their friends and family. With respect to omitted variable bias, although we have controlled as comprehensively as possible those elements that affect interpersonal communications, there may still be factors that are difficult to characterize. In order to examine the causal relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal interactions and to tackle potential endogeneity problems, the following instrumental variable models are applied for carrying out further checks.

A I i is the instrumental variable, which is the degree of artificial intelligence’s application in an individual, i ’s, work. Model (2) performs first-stage regression, using A I i to estimate I n t e r n e t _ u s a g e i . In model (3), second-stage regression is conducted to examine the effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications, using the predicted values in the first-stage estimation. The A I i indicator comes from Mihaylov and Tijden [ 92 ]. Existing studies have shown that the higher the application of artificial intelligence in their work, the higher the requirements for people’s skills in using the Internet [ 93 ], and thus, the more likely they are to show increased Internet usage. Therefore, the instrumental variable satisfies the correlation requirement. In addition, since artificial intelligence is an exogenous technological change and is, thus, not related to micro individual characteristics, this variable satisfies the exogeneity condition. As shown in Table 5 , results of the instrumental variable method with the two-stage least square (2SLS) method robustly prove that Internet usage has significantly positive impacts on interactions with family members and friends. This means that the significant relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications is causal rather than being a simple correlation.

Endogeneity tests: impacts on communications using an instrumental variable.

Notes: *** and ** indicate significance at the levels of 1% and 5%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

5.2.4. Missing Data Imputation

There are missing data in this research, with a missing rate of (3740−3507)/3740 = 6.223%. Although it seems that the missing rate is not high, missing data may cause sample selection problems, leading to biased and inconsistent statistical results, because the information may be missing but not at random. Considering that the dataset is cross-sectional rather than longitudinal and when referring to Ibrahim and Molenberghs [ 94 ], Kropko et al. [ 95 ], and Baraldi and Enders [ 96 ], we further tested whether the findings of this paper could be affected by the missing data problem, applying the following widely accepted approach. Specifically, we replace the missing values with the mean of the remaining values. Results using this approach are shown in Table 6 and it is clear that they are consistent with the benchmark estimations in this paper.

Replacing the missing values with the mean of the remaining values (OLS model).

6. Further Discussions

6.1. effects of internet usage on loneliness.

It has been confirmed in the sections above that Internet usage facilitates communications with family and friends. Furthermore, studies have shown that interpersonal communications are beneficial to increasing social support and reducing people’s loneliness [ 97 , 98 , 99 ]. Therefore, we are interested in whether Internet usage helps to reduce loneliness by increasing people’s interpersonal contacts. To test this hypothesis, we use an indicator to characterize loneliness, denoted as “Lonely”. It is taken from respondents’ answers to the question “I feel lonely”, which is based on the Likert scale from 1–5, representing “never”, “seldom”, “sometimes”, “often”, and “frequently”. The larger the values of the two variables, the higher the level of loneliness.

The first columns in Table 7 demonstrate the effect of Internet usage on loneliness, wherein the estimated coefficients of Internet usage are all significantly negative. This indicates that Internet usage significantly reduces loneliness. Meanwhile, columns (2) and (4) in Table 7 are the regression results of the impacts of Internet usage on communication with family members and friends, which are consistent with those in Table 3 . Columns (3) and (5) present the results for when the indicators of family communication and friends communication are further included in regressions. The estimated results in column (3) of Table 7 show that communication with friends does not significantly affect people’s loneliness. However, in column (5), the estimates of family communication are significantly negative at the 1% level, implying that interactions with family help to decrease loneliness. At the same time, after the mediating variables, interpersonal communications are included in the regression, where the estimated coefficients of Internet usage remain significantly negative. Additionally, in column (5) of Table 7 , the absolute values of the Internet usage estimates decrease, further proving that communication with family members plays a mediating role between using the Internet and loneliness. This implies that Internet usage reduces the feeling of loneliness by facilitating communication among family members. Family members are particularly important for Chinese people and the Chinese culture; therefore, relationships among family members have a more prominent impact on personal feelings [ 100 ]. Thus, compared with communication with friends, contacts with family members mediate the impact of the Internet in reducing loneliness more significantly.

Further impacts on loneliness.

6.2. Effects of Internet Usage in the Other Aspects

The above analysis shows the positive impact of the Internet on interpersonal communications, but it is not correct to assume that this usage has only a positive dimension. Further analysis using CGSS data, as shown in column (1) of Table 8 , demonstrates that the more time people spend online, the easier it is to get addicted to the Internet, resulting in spending a longer time online than was planned. In addition, people who frequently use the Internet are more likely to feel anxious if they do not go online for a while (column (2) in Table 8 ). This is consistent with the existing studies, reporting that people tend to have difficulty controlling their time, and it is easier for them to become addicted to the Internet and the online world [ 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Furthermore, we find that going online reduces the amount of time people spend outdoors (column (3) in Table 8 ) and leads to more family complaints that they spend too much time online (column (4) in Table 8 ). Although we cannot directly verify the effect of Internet usage on face-to-face interpersonal communication, due to data availability, this is an indirect way to test whether Internet use reduces people’s face-to-face contact with the outside world and results in increased complaints from family members. Moreover, in terms of physical health, it was also found that more Internet usage also causes people to have worse eyesight (column (5) in Table 8 ), as well as neck and shoulder pain (column (6) in Table 8 ). The above analysis is based on six Likert 5-point scale variables from the responses to the question, “How do the following descriptions fit your situation?”: “I often spend more time online than I planned”, “If I don’t go online for a while, I will be anxious and restless”, “I spend less time outdoors because of using the Internet”, “My family complains that I spend too much time online”, “My eyesight has become worse because of using the Internet”, “I have neck and shoulder pain because of using the Internet”. Their responses are: “1—very untrue of me”, “2—untrue of me”, “3—neutral”, “4—true of me”, and “5—very true of me”.

Other effects of internet usage (overlong usage and anxiety).

7. Heterogeneity Analysis

This paper further examines the heterogeneities of the impact of Internet usage on communications in different subgroups. First, in terms of the purposes of Internet usage, it is naturally hypothesized that if people use the Internet mainly for working or entertainment, rather than for interpersonal contact, then Internet usage should have no significant effect on their communications with family members and friends. This hypothesis is tested as follows. Specifically, this research divides the sample into subgroups, with different degrees of online social interactions and different preferences for online self-presentation, based on whether respondents frequently use social networking sites (including email, QQ, WeChat, Skype, etc.) to communicate with others, and whether they often post their updates on the social platforms (including WeChat, Moments, Qzone, Weibo, etc.). The regression results of Table 9 show that the impacts of Internet usage on communication with family and friends are only significant among those who often use the Internet to socialize, confirming the above hypothesis. In addition, posting updates regarding life and work via Internet social platforms also brings more online contacts. Table 10 shows that for individuals with a greater online presence, the positive effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is more pronounced. This means that for people who are more socially connected to the Internet, online activities significantly promote their interpersonal contacts. The heterogeneity results in this aspect also demonstrate that online social contact facilitates communications with family and friends and further confirm the robustness of the findings of this paper.

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of online contacts.

Heterogeneity analysis in terms of online posts.

Furthermore, considering that communications via the Internet require certain online skills, it is naturally hypothesized that for individuals with better Internet skills, Internet usage should be more conducive to improving their interpersonal communication. This paper conducts a heterogeneity test for this hypothesis. According to whether the respondents are able to communicate with others proficiently online (the corresponding question in the CGSS questionnaire is: “Do you know how to express your thoughts and proficiently communicate with others online?”), the following subsample analysis is performed. The estimated results in columns (1) and (2) of Table 11 show that in terms of communications with family members, the positive effects of Internet usage are greater and are only statistically significant for those with more online skills. Columns (3) and (4) of Table 11 demonstrate that in terms of communications with friends, the role of Internet usage is significant for the two subgroups, but the estimated coefficient is larger for individuals skilled in online communications. This confirms that the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal contacts is more pronounced for people with better online skills.

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of Internet skills.

Notes: *** and * indicate significance at the levels of 1% and 10%, respectively. The values in parentheses are standard errors robust to heteroskedasticity. ‘Yes’ means the corresponding variables are controlled in the regression, while ‘No’ means they are not controlled.

Moreover, it has been shown in the existing literature that there are disparities in Internet usage and interpersonal communication among individuals of different ages and educational backgrounds [ 34 , 47 , 61 ]. Therefore, we further examine the heterogeneities of the impacts of Internet usage in the different subgroups, with different demographic characteristics. Table 12 shows that the impacts of Internet usage on communications with family and friends are significantly positive for both younger and older respondents. However, their effect is greater on the younger group under the age of 35, which may be due to the fact that young people are more inclined to use new online applications and are more skilled in Internet use. Therefore, the positive effect of Internet usage is more prominent in the younger cohort. The mean time of Internet usage for young individuals under 35 in CGSS is 23.59, which is much greater than that of their older counterparts, which is 7.56.

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of age.

The results of the heterogeneity analysis in terms of education level are shown in Table 13 . It is demonstrated that regardless of whether the respondents have a bachelor’s degree or above, the positive effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is significant. However, the Internet’s impact is more pronounced for those with higher educational levels. This may be due to the fact that the more educated groups have greater opportunities to learn and master the skills of using the Internet. In the CGSS sample, the average time of Internet usage among people with higher educational levels is much higher than the lower educated respondents (25.03 > 9.70).

Heterogeneity analysis, in terms of education level.

In addition, in terms of regional heterogeneity, it is clear from Table 14 that the impact of Internet usage on communications with family and friends is more prominent for urban residents. Compared with their rural counterparts, urban residents are more familiar with the Internet in their work and daily life, due to faster technological development and better network infrastructure. Therefore, the descriptive statistics for the two subsamples show that the mean hours of Internet usage for residents in rural and urban areas are 16.29 and 8.64, respectively.

Heterogeneity analysis in terms of region.

In addition, the Internet can help people to break geographical restrictions and realize remote communication, consequently shortening the distances between each other [ 19 ]. Therefore, it is natural to hypothesize that the role of Internet usage in facilitating communication may be more prominent for migrants. The regression results of Table 15 show that Internet usage has significant effects on promoting interpersonal communications, for both migrants and non-migrants. In particular, columns (1) and (2) show that in terms of family communication, the impact of Internet usage on migrants is more prominent than on non-migrants. However, columns (3) and (4) do not show a similar pattern in terms of communicating with friends. This is logical, since blood relationships among family members do not change due to migration, while friends can be found wherever you live. Migration leads to people moving further away from their families, geographically; consequently, the role of Internet usage in enhancing communications with family members is more prominent for migrants.

Heterogeneity analysis in terms of migration.

8. Conclusions

This paper empirically examines the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications with data from the Chinese General Social Survey to answer whether the Internet brings people closer together or further apart. The empirical results demonstrate that first, Internet usage helps to significantly increase the time and frequency of communications with family and friends, rather than causing people to feel more disconnected and isolated. This positive effect is robust when using various regression models and interpersonal contact measures, as well as the instrumental variable method. Specifically, the positive effects of Internet usage in promoting people’s interpersonal communications do not rely on the selection of regression models and are robustly significant regarding both the time that people spend on interactions, as well as the frequency of daily contacts. Furthermore, the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal communications is proven to be causal rather than being a simple correlation, using the instrumental variable approach.

Second, Internet usage contributes to decreased loneliness, and it exerts this effect primarily by improving people’s interactions with their family members. However, communications with friends do not significantly mediate such impacts. This implies that the Internet reduces the feeling of loneliness by facilitating communication among family members, who are much more important in the Chinese culture, and therefore relationships among family members have a more important impact on personal feelings.

Third, the positive role of Internet usage on communications is more prominent for people with more frequent online socialization and self-presentation, higher online skills, younger age, higher educational levels and living in urban areas. In addition, the beneficial effects of Internet usage are larger on communications with family members for migrants. The reason may be that the blood relationships among family members do not change due to migration, while friends can be found anywhere.

9. Theoretical and Practical Implications

9.1. theoretical implications.

This paper clarifies the net effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications. Research has shown that Internet technology has tremendously enriched communication channels and modes [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 87 , 89 ]. Moreover, compared with traditional communication methods, such as phone calls and text messages, the Internet helps people to establish a much wider social network and achieve effective remote communication at a lower cost, as well as with greater efficiency [ 69 , 70 , 90 , 101 ]. Nevertheless, other studies reveal that Internet usage may distract people’s attention [ 10 , 11 , 65 , 66 , 83 ], reduce their social skills [ 47 , 67 , 68 , 84 , 85 ], and may even increase negative emotions [ 10 , 11 , 53 , 73 , 86 ]. The impact of Internet usage in this aspect would hinder interpersonal communications. No direct evidence is provided on how the Internet influences interpersonal communications. Therefore, according to theoretical analyses based on the existing literature, the net effect of Internet usage on interpersonal contacts is still unclear because of the coexistence of the complementarity and interference aspects. This research contributes to the literature by clarifying that the net effect of Internet usage on interpersonal communications is positive. The more that people use the Internet, the more they can interact with their family and friends. This positive effect is confirmed via various endogeneity and robustness checks. This paper shows that although the Internet may have both pros and cons, its overall impact is positive regarding interpersonal communication.

In addition, this paper further verifies the role of the Internet in reducing people’s loneliness, which is an important factor affecting well-being. Loneliness not only leads to depression but also reduces people’s life satisfaction and overall well-being [ 102 , 103 ]. Interpersonal interaction is an important element impacting loneliness [ 104 ]. Since Internet usage promotes communication, a natural question arises regarding whether it helps to decrease loneliness through this mechanism. If this speculation holds true, the robustness of the conclusions in this paper would be confirmed further. The existing research demonstrates that the Internet has enriched interpersonal communication channels [ 105 ]. Moreover, other studies reveal that interactions can help reduce loneliness, improve people’s well-being, and decrease depression [ 89 , 91 , 106 ]. In this paper, we present our findings that Internet usage lowers loneliness by promoting people’s communications with family and friends. Therefore, this study also contributes to the literature by elucidating the mechanisms underlying the well-being and emotional benefits of Internet use [ 107 ].

Furthermore, compared with previous studies supporting the positive effects of Internet usage [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 87 , 89 ], we also find heterogeneities in its impact from multiple perspectives. It is clear that not everyone gains equally from Internet use. The positive role of the Internet on interpersonal communication is more prominent for people with more frequent online socialization and wider self-presentation, better online skills, a younger age, higher educational levels, and who are living in urban areas. Some subgroups benefit more from Internet usage, while those who have been left behind in the digital age gain less. Heterogeneity analysis enriches the literature on the impact of the Internet, helping us to better identify vulnerable groups in the Internet era and create effective public policies accordingly.

9.2. Practical Implications

With the rapid progress of online technology, traditional face-to-face communication is gradually shifting toward social networking via the Internet as people are becoming immersed in the digital age. The Internet not only drives economic development but also helps people to interact with each other at a lower cost and in a more convenient way. The policy implications of this paper include the following recommendations.

First, the network infrastructure should be improved and updated to make better use of the Internet, to facilitate interpersonal communication among people. In the fast-changing world of information, the Internet has provided people with more and more convenient communication channels. We should continue to make better use of more advanced Internet technologies and improve the quality of the network, in order to enhance people’s online experience. Emerging technologies, such as 5G, should be applied to help people obtain more convenient and cheaper access to the Internet to improve their interpersonal communication and enhance social welfare.

Second, this paper reports that the Internet promotes interpersonal contact, thereby weakening people’s sense of loneliness. Therefore, establishing high-quality online communities via social networks is needed to help people enhance their well-being through further interactions. For those who suffer from loneliness, providing them with better access to the Internet may be an effective way to enhance their welfare. From the perspective of mental health, loneliness is related to an increased risk of mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and even dementia. Therefore, it is worth recommending that sufferers use the Internet to enhance their communications with others. For people with communication difficulties, online interactions can help them overcome their fear and help them to get in touch with others, thus establishing better social networks [ 90 ].

Third, policymakers should pay more attention to vulnerable subgroups in the Internet age, including older people and those with poorer online skills, those who are less well-educated, and those living in rural areas. These groups gain fewer benefits from Internet usage. Therefore, it is important to help them master the necessary online skills and provide them with more convenient and less expensive access to the Internet. For example, the network coverage should be extended to more remote and rural areas and the Internet connectivity there needs to be improved so that as many people as possible have equal access to the Internet. In addition, with the rapid development of Internet technology, individuals with lower education levels and older age may not be able to update their Internet skills. This may mean that they are unable to gain the benefits of Internet usage in terms of interpersonal communication. Therefore, in the context of the rapid application of emerging online technologies, enhancing the Internet skills of these vulnerable subgroups should be emphasized.

10. Limitations

First, since CGSS data is based on subjective answers, both the explanatory and explained variables in this paper are subjective indicators and there may, thus, be measurement errors caused by subjectivity. Although different variables are used as dependent variables in the robustness checks, confirming the positive effect of Internet usage on interpersonal interactions, these measures are also subjective. Therefore, we look forward to further testing the relationship between Internet usage and interpersonal contacts based on objective indicators in the future.

Second, as CGSS does not provide detailed information concerning the amount of time that people spend on the Internet for various purposes, we are unable to examine the effects of different types of online activities on interpersonal communications. In this regard, if people use the Internet mainly for working or for entertainment, rather than for interpersonal contacts, then online activities may well have a different effect on their communications with family members and friends. In the heterogeneity analysis, this research divided the sample into subgroups with different degrees of online social interactions and different preferences for online self-presentation. The results show that the impacts of Internet usage on communication with family and friends are only significant among those who habitually use the Internet to socialize and post updates. This indirectly examines the impact of different types of Internet usage on communications. We look forward to further investigating this issue in the future, on the basis of more detailed online data.

Third, this paper examines the impact of Internet usage on interpersonal communications in general. However, it is still not clear how Internet usage affects people’s face-to-face interactions. Due to data limitations, we are unable to directly test the quality of offline personal relationships, for example, changes in conversational topics, the willingness to broach topics discussed on the Internet, and the inclination to reveal true thoughts in a face-to-face relationship. The effects of Internet use on the quality of offline communications will be a very valuable research direction in the future.

Funding Statement

This research was funded by the Humanities and Social Science Research Project of the Ministry of Education of China (grant number 19YJC790055); the Project of the Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 71973081); the Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (grant number ZR2020QG038); the Project of the Social Science Foundation of Shandong Province, China (grant number 19DJJJ08), and the Project of Teaching Reform of Shandong University (grant number Y2022007).

Author Contributions

C.L. contributed to the conception and design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. Y.X. generated the tables and figures, respectively, based on C.L.’s analysis. C.L. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. G.N., K.G. and Q.L. worked on revisions of the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Who controls the Internet?

Is the internet “making us stupid”, is cancel culture (or “callout culture”) good for society.

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What is the Internet?

The Internet is a vast network that connects computers all over the world. Through the Internet, people can share information and communicate from anywhere with an Internet connection.

Who invented the Internet?

The Internet consists of technologies developed by different individuals and organizations. Important figures include Robert W. Taylor, who led the development of the ARPANET (an early prototype of the Internet), and Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn , who developed the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) technologies.

How does the Internet work?

The Internet works through a series of networks that connect devices around the world through telephone lines. Users are provided access to the Internet by Internet service providers . The widespread use of mobile broadband and Wi-Fi in the 21st century has allowed this connection to be wireless.

Is the Internet dangerous?

The advent of the Internet has brought into existence new forms of exploitation, such as spam e-mail and malware , and harmful social behaviour, such as cyberbullying and doxxing. Many companies collect extensive information from users, which some deem a violation of privacy.

What is the Dark Web?

The Dark Web refers to a series of Web sites that require special decryption and configuration tools to access. It is most commonly used for purposes that require strict anonymity, including illegal sales (e.g., of weapons and drugs), political dissent in countries with heavy censorship , and whistleblowing .

While the Internet is theoretically decentralized and thus controlled by no single entity, many argue that tech companies such as Amazon , Facebook , and Google represent a small concentration of organizations that have unprecedented influence over the information and money on the Internet. In some countries, certain parts of the Internet are blocked via censorship .

Whether the Internet is "making us stupid" is widely debated. Some argue the Internet is reprogramming our brains for the worse, as seen by diminishing IQ scores, and that new technologies and platforms like the Internet are harming attention spams, the ability to concentrate, and perform simple tasks. Others argue that virtually all new technologies throughout history have been initially feared, that the Internet gives voice to diverse populations and equal access to information for the benefit of social advancement, and that changing how the brain works and how we access and process information is not necessarily bad. For more on the debate about whether the Internet is "making us stupid," visit ProCon.org .

Whether cancel culture is good for society is widely debated. Some argue it allows the public and marginalized people to seek accountability in their leaders, gives a voice to disenfranchised or less powerful people, and is simply a new form of boycott. Others see cancel culture as a dangerous form of bullying, a suppression of free speech, and a form of intolerance that harms democratic societies by excluding and ostracizing anyone with contrary views. For more on the cancel culture debate, visit ProCon.org .

Recent News

Internet , a system architecture that has revolutionized mass communication , mass media , and commerce by allowing various computer networks around the world to interconnect. Sometimes referred to as a “network of networks,” the Internet emerged in the United States in the 1970s but did not become visible to the general public until the early 1990s. By 2020, approximately 4.5 billion people, or more than half of the world’s population, were estimated to have access to the Internet. And that number is growing, largely due to the prevalence of “smart” technology and the " Internet of Things ," where computer-like devices connect with the Internet or interact via wireless networks . These “things” include smartphones , appliances, thermostats, lighting systems, irrigation systems, security cameras. vehicles, even cities.

The Internet provides a capability so powerful and general that it can be used for almost any purpose that depends on information, and it is accessible by every individual who connects to one of its constituent networks. It supports human communication via social media , electronic mail (e-mail), “chat rooms,” newsgroups, and audio and video transmission and allows people to work collaboratively at many different locations. It supports access to digital information by many applications, including the World Wide Web . The Internet has proved to be a spawning ground for a large and growing number of “e-businesses” (including subsidiaries of traditional “brick-and-mortar” companies) that carry out most of their sales and services over the Internet. ( See electronic commerce .)

Origin and development

The first computer networks were dedicated special-purpose systems such as SABRE (an airline reservation system) and AUTODIN I (a defense command-and-control system), both designed and implemented in the late 1950s and early 1960s. By the early 1960s computer manufacturers had begun to use semiconductor technology in commercial products, and both conventional batch-processing and time-sharing systems were in place in many large, technologically advanced companies. Time-sharing systems allowed a computer’s resources to be shared in rapid succession with multiple users, cycling through the queue of users so quickly that the computer appeared dedicated to each user’s tasks despite the existence of many others accessing the system “simultaneously.” This led to the notion of sharing computer resources (called host computers or simply hosts) over an entire network. Host-to-host interactions were envisioned , along with access to specialized resources (such as supercomputers and mass storage systems) and interactive access by remote users to the computational powers of time-sharing systems located elsewhere. These ideas were first realized in ARPANET , which established the first host-to-host network connection on October 29, 1969. It was created by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. Department of Defense . ARPANET was one of the first general-purpose computer networks. It connected time-sharing computers at government-supported research sites, principally universities in the United States , and it soon became a critical piece of infrastructure for the computer science research community in the United States. Tools and applications—such as the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP, commonly referred to as e-mail), for sending short messages, and the file transfer protocol ( FTP ), for longer transmissions—quickly emerged. In order to achieve cost-effective interactive communications between computers, which typically communicate in short bursts of data, ARPANET employed the new technology of packet switching . Packet switching takes large messages (or chunks of computer data) and breaks them into smaller, manageable pieces (known as packets) that can travel independently over any available circuit to the target destination, where the pieces are reassembled. Thus, unlike traditional voice communications, packet switching does not require a single dedicated circuit between each pair of users.

Commercial packet networks were introduced in the 1970s, but these were designed principally to provide efficient access to remote computers by dedicated terminals. Briefly, they replaced long-distance modem connections by less-expensive “virtual” circuits over packet networks. In the United States, Telenet and Tymnet were two such packet networks. Neither supported host-to-host communications; in the 1970s this was still the province of the research networks, and it would remain so for many years.

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; formerly ARPA) supported initiatives for ground-based and satellite-based packet networks. The ground-based packet radio system provided mobile access to computing resources, while the packet satellite network connected the United States with several European countries and enabled connections with widely dispersed and remote regions. With the introduction of packet radio, connecting a mobile terminal to a computer network became feasible . However, time-sharing systems were then still too large, unwieldy, and costly to be mobile or even to exist outside a climate-controlled computing environment . A strong motivation thus existed to connect the packet radio network to ARPANET in order to allow mobile users with simple terminals to access the time-sharing systems for which they had authorization. Similarly, the packet satellite network was used by DARPA to link the United States with satellite terminals serving the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, and Italy. These terminals, however, had to be connected to other networks in European countries in order to reach the end users. Thus arose the need to connect the packet satellite net, as well as the packet radio net, with other networks.

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The Internet Might Actually Be Good for Us After All

People who used the internet reported higher scores for outcomes like community well-being and life satisfaction.

Scrolling your phone sounds like the opposite of self-care, but new research suggests that internet use and access actually boost one’s happiness. 

In a massive new study published in the journal Technology, Mind, and Behavior , researchers examined what kind of effect the internet has on psychological well-being. They found that people who had access to the internet scored 8% higher on well-being measures than those who lacked web access. The effect was similar to the benefit associated with taking a walk in nature. 

The study looked at eight well-being outcomes: life satisfaction; daily negative and positive experiences; two measures of social well-being; physical well-being; community well-being; and experiences of purpose.

Locating local internet providers

They then used a series of multiverse analyses to determine how these measures differed between individuals who had access to and used the internet regularly and those who didn't. The data spanned 15 years, from 2006 to 2021 and included more than 2.4 million people in 168 countries. The authors intentionally sought out a more global perspective on internet use than previous research had offered.

“While the Internet is global, the study of it is not,” said Andrew Przybylski, one of the study’s authors, in a press briefing on May 9. “More than 90% of data sets come from a handful of English-speaking countries” that are mostly in the global north, he said.

How can the internet possibly be good for us?

The study doesn’t provide specific answers about why going online could make us happier, but other research has found that the internet can be a source of social support and community for people living with physical disabilities, create a sense of belonging among adolescents and spur a reduction in depression among older adults .  

The internet is increasingly linked with health when it comes to treatment, too -- particularly for mental health . One study published by the American Medical Association found that 88% of mental health treatment facilities offered telehealth services in September 2022 compared with 39.4% of facilities in April 2019.

Because the internet touches so many parts of our lives, organizations like the Federal Communications Commission and SAMHSA have even called broadband a "super-determinant" of health because of its influence on education, employment and health care access.

"The delivery of clinical services only contributes 20% to health outcomes. 40% is what we call socioeconomic status," Carole Myers, a professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville who studies health care access and disparities, told CNET. "It's things like your income level, your education level and the resources that are available in your community." 

"Broadband access is really important for telehealth," Myers said, "but it's important for economic development, for attracting businesses -- it's important for education. And in turn those things drive health." 

Another recent study , from the National Bureau of Economic Research, found that a 10% increase in the proportion of county residents with access to broadband internet leads to a 1.01% reduction in the number of suicides in a county, “as well as improvements in self-reported mental and physical health.”

There are still reasons to be cautious about internet use

Even though this new study found that the internet makes most of us happier, there was one notable exception. Among women between the ages of 15 and 24, there was a negative association between internet use and reports of community well-being. 

The authors noted that this is "consistent with previous reports of increased cyberbullying and more negative associations between social media use and depressive symptoms among young women.” 

A report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 57% of teen girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. Another study found that “selfie posting on social media is harmful in terms of young women’s mood and self-image.”

Tips for a healthier life online

There are several steps you can take to minimize these harmful sides of internet life, including unplugging from social media periodically. Research has found that digital detoxes can improve symptoms of depression , among other mental health benefits. Another study conducted on college students who underwent social media detoxes between one to seven days found that most students reported positive changes in mood, better productivity, improved sleep and reduced anxiety.

It doesn’t have to be as severe as a weeklong detox, either. Taking periodic breaks from your phone throughout the day can add up to bigger changes, like improved sleep quality . CNET writer Jessica Fierro also suggests taking advantage of the Focus modes on your iPhone or Android phone .

The internet has become vital to our work, health and social lives, and, shockingly, it even makes us happier. But like most things in life, it’s still best when done in moderation. 

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New research shows that improving mobile internet service can reduce digital inequality

by Georgia Institute of Technology

New research shows removing data caps to cell phone usage may not only reduce digital inequality but might increase education data consumption by disadvantaged populations.

More than 90% of the U.S. population has internet access. However, many households , particularly those of low socioeconomic status, are "smartphone-dependent," meaning they rely purely on their smartphone for internet access. As a result, their connection may be unstable or slow, and they may be constrained by data caps that limit how much they can use the internet.

This puts them at a disadvantage compared to households with internet access through smartphones and other broadband connections at home and work, perpetuating digital inequality between disadvantaged and advantaged households.

The smartphone dependence of many disadvantaged households begs the question: If mobile internet service was better—e.g., if it was faster, more reliable, and/or didn't come with data constraints—could that reduce digital inequality and level the playing field? Researchers from the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business and Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business studied this question and found the answer is "yes."

The research paper is forthcoming in Management Science and is available on the SSRN site.

Karthik Kannan, assistant professor of IT and Operations Management at the Cox School of Business and Georgia Tech Ph.D. graduate, led the project. "I was interested in the effect of data caps. For example, when you have 10GB of data per month and use more, you are charged extra, or your connection is throttled," said Kannan.

"So, I partnered with a large telecommunications provider to study what happens when their subscribers switched from capped to unlimited data plans. I was particularly interested in differences between high-income and low-income households."

Kannan, along with Eric Overby, Catherine and Edwin Wahlen Professor of Information Technology Management, and Sri Narasimhan, Gregory J. Owens Professor of Information Technology Management, at the Scheller College of Business, found that while all households increased their data use after switching to an unlimited plan, the increase was significantly larger for families of low socioeconomic status .

"That was our initial finding: that improving mobile internet service by removing the data cap had disproportionately large benefits for disadvantaged households," said Overby. "But that didn't mean much in and of itself. If those households weren't using the additional data for 'enriching' purposes like accessing educational, health care , or career-related data, the additional data consumption wouldn't translate into positive social benefits.

"Indeed, years of research on digital inequality have consistently shown a 'usage gap' in which advantaged households take fuller advantage of internet access improvements than disadvantaged households. The result is that internet improvements often exacerbate inequality. So, we dug deeper."

Specifically, the researchers leveraged the telecommunication provider's data categorization system to study changes in the consumption of educational data. They found that disadvantaged households experienced disproportionate increases in education data consumption (as well as in overall data consumption) after switching to unlimited mobile data.

Although advantaged households increased their education data consumption by approximately 15MB (or about three digital textbooks) per month after switching to unlimited data, disadvantaged households increased their education data consumption by approximately 24MB (or about five digital textbooks) per month.

"We can't be sure that these disproportionate increases in education data consumption will help disadvantaged households narrow gaps in educational outcomes. However, this is clearly a step in the right direction," said Kannan.

The research is directly relevant to the Federal Communications Commission's 2023 inquiry into the effects of data caps on disadvantaged households. Narasimhan explains, "Let's say that based on their inquiry, the FCC decides to limit the use of data caps. A logical question is: will that do any good? In other words, will disadvantaged households take advantage of their improved mobile internet service in a way that can reduce digital inequality? Prior to our research, we didn't really know. But based on our research, the answer is yes."

Journal information: Management Science

Provided by Georgia Institute of Technology

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525 Internet Essay Topics & Examples

Information technologies hold great importance in our life. If you need to find a good title for your ICT research assignment, check out these internet-related topics written by our experts .

🏆 Best Topics about Internet & Essay Examples

👍 good internet-related topics, 💡 simple & easy internet research topics, 🔍 good research topics about internet, 📌 unique topics: internet and technology, 🥇 most interesting internet topics for essays, ❓ internet research questions for students.

• The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse? In light of this reality of the two faces of the internet, there has risen the question of whether the internet is a blessing or a curse to mankind.
• Has the Internet Positively or Negatively Impacted Human Society? Argumentative Essay The information available on the internet has contributed to the rise in violence in our society. Advocates of the internet assert that is has contributed to the growth and development of society.
• Negative Impact of Internet on Society Essay Effects of Internet usage on the brain and behavioral development One prominent impact of internet technology is the creation of a democratic media.
• Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping The advent of internet shopping in the late nineties created a revolution in the retail industry. It is possible to know about the sizes, features, and costs of products in online and traditional shopping.
• Internet Journalism: The Impact of New Media The third impact of the internet on journalism is that audiences have gained the authority to choose the information they want to consume.
• The Internet Revolution and Digital Future Technology Essay The revolution have been characterized by rapid developments in the information technology with the computers becoming,faster,cheaper,powerful and smaller and this has information technology to be part and parcel of lives as it is embedded in […]
• Solutions to Effects of Excessive Internet Use on Youth The education system and parents have a major role in the effort to reduce excessive use of the internet among the youth.
• What Are the Benefits of the Internet? The Internet has been one of the biggest inventions that have made a great difference in the lives of many people in the world.
• Problems of Internet Addiction Disorder Another possible cause of a reduction in the brain capabilities is the kind of the materials that one is exposed to on the Internet.
• Internet Trolling, Its Impact and Suggested Solutions The vast extent of internet trolling is partially explained by the diversity of the topics in which trolls are engaged. Celebrities are among the most popular trolling victims because they have a lot of admirers […]
• The Internet: Arguments Against and for It The internet has brought a lot of changes to the information industry. This is because there are a number of deficiencies found on the net that leave it wanting.
• Impacts of Internet on International Business The paper will look into the history and development of internet usage in international business, factors that led to the development of internet usage in international business as well as the effects that this internet […]
• The Invention of Internet Several events led to the advancement of the internet in the world today. The level of computer literacy in the world played a leading role in the advancement of internet as teachers and students wanted […]
• Internet Usage: Major Theoretical Theories The world has become a global village, thanks to the development and rapid growth of the internet. Such social systems are used by the dominant group in society to promote their own interests and guard […]
• Reasons for Surfing the Internet Since the invention of the internet, it is agreeable that it is one of the most important innovations to be made by man.
• The Role of the Internet for Modern Society Five years later, the internet was plagued by worms which deterred the development and use of the internet altogether. Parents should therefore restrict access to internet websites through the use of internet tools.
• Are Children Smarter Because of the Internet? In a study conducted regarding the influence of the Internet on children from low income families, it was indicated that children who had access to the Internet recorded high scores compared to those who had […]
• The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet In the history of humankind, the field of communication has developed a lot, and one of the most outstanding innovations is conceivable the Internet.
• Reliability of Information Found on the Internet One should be critical when evaluating the information found online and use reliable sources for research if one does not want to put his or her research efforts under threat.
• Threats of the Internet Such digital giants as Google and Amazon have access to all the personal and behavioral information that we share on the net, and though they claim to use for our benefit, the algorithms of the […]
• New Media Technologies and Its Role in the Perception of the Internet The new media involve the convergence of media and technology; it is the replacement of analogue technology with the digital one.
• Effects of Internet Use in Society Excessive use of the internet causes a person to feel lonely and depressed. The internet has provided the society with a lot of information both good and bad.
• Powerful Impacts of the Use of Gadgets and the Internet Overall, researchers highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of smartphones and the Internet, but most tend to focus on the bright side of the situation, and I support their view.
• Responsibilities of Internet Users Along with so many advantages of the internet, there are some very serious disadvantages that are associated with the usage of the internet and it is the responsibility of the internet users to be aware […]
• The Impact of the Internet in Culture and Daily Habits The growth of the internet has greatly improved our culture and society today with services it offers in the enrichment of our lives at work and at home.
• Newspaper Industry and the Internet Most of the readers are now finding the news in newspapers somewhat stale considering that the news on the internet is instant, fresh and immediate.
• The Role of Internet in Formation of Popular Culture The computer is a scientific device that accepts the log-in information and thereafter manipulates it to produce the desired result based on the program of instructions on how data is to be processed.
• The Role of Internet in Knowledge Management The internet is a harmonizing factor for the enhancement of open and simple standards that are necessary in setting the agenda for the development of commercial software.
• Internet Coverage and Its Improvement in Rural Areas It is agreeable that many companies are ready to ensure the remotest parts of the world have free internet access. The internet is accessible to more people in the world.
• The Internet Access Problems in Villages To connect the Internet in this way, only a SIM card is needed if a user plans to access the network only from a mobile device.
• Negative Effects of the Internet on Business The quality and quantity of the information provided on a web site is critical in helping the customer make the decision to purchase a product.
• The Concept of Internet Etiquette (Netiquette) Internet etiquette (Netiquette) are established practices whose main purpose is to make the internet experience pleasant and suitable to all people.
• The Work “Does the Internet Make You Dumber?” by Nicholas Carr Nicholas Carr’s primary writing technique is to refer to the experts in the field of intelligence and the internet. Nicholas Carr’s appeal to authority technique is prone to lack objectivity because all of the selected […]
• Do People Believe Everything in the Internet? To this end, it has demonstrated that most internet users do not question the credibility of the information they get online.
• History of the Internet In the late 1960s, some proponents of the internet conducted research to find out the likelihood of interconnection between systems using the ARPANET.
• E-Commerce and Internet The internet has changed the way people conduct businesses in the world. Another advantage of the internet is that a firm has access to large customer base.
• Need for Internet Censorship and its Impact on Society The negative impacts of internet have raised many concerns over freedom of access and publishing of information, leading to the need to censor internet.
• Government Regulation of the Internet Regulation of the internet will eliminate or reduce the anonymity of using the internet and therefore help to reduce the exploitation of women and girls.
• The Role of the Internet in Business The thesis statement The role of the Internet in business cannot be neglected, as the World Wide Web can be regarded as one of the most powerful and effective tools for conducting business.
• Internet and Its Effects on Business It is also applied in the Internet business just like in any other form of business where the customer-vendor relation is the crucial determiner of the course of the business. The customers have to be […]
• Internet and Ethical Challenges The Internet began in 1969 as an experiment of the United States Defence Department that resulted in the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. In 1993, the number of internet users increased dramatically to get the […]
• Internet Banking Effects and Results Internet banking has certainly played a key role in the increase and ease of banking services the world over and the reasons for this are not difficult to discern.
• The Internet Cafe’s Business Idea There will be negotiations with other internet cafes in order to get discounted browsing charges to suit the needs of the clients.
• The Impact of the Internet on Traditional Crime How the Internet helps the criminals The advancement in the modern computer technologies and the Internet has put radical changes in the concept of information and the mode of exchanging the data.
• Internet Should Be Free From All Government Control A report by the group of eight most developed countries in the world, the G 8, indicates that information and communication technology is one of the most powerful forces that will play a decisive role […]
• Internet of Things for Home: Benefits and Challenges The IoT can be characterized as the unification of the virtual and real worlds with the help of many devices and sensors connected to the same network and providing interaction between machines and people.
• How the Internet Has Transformed Design & Fashion? Lastly and more importantly, the advent of internet has seen to it that there is increased reliability bas well as convenience in online shopping for fashion and design.
• The Internet’s Good and Bad Sides On the other hand, the internet is the root of some of the bad evils that have befallen many people, true and the internet is the beginning of what Gibson described as a place to […]
• Internet and Children Under the Age of 11 Internet can be a powerful tool for learning and sharing ideas and it can definitely contribute to the development of children and adolescents. In order to understand the influence of Internet on children, one should […]
• Internet Marketing: Advantages and Disadvantages The ability of internet marketing and in particular website marketing to reach a broad range of consumers has made it become a very common marketing medium in many current businesses. On the other hand, website […]
• Effects of Internet and World Wide Web on Globalization Before trying to understand the effects of the World Wide Web and the Internet on globalization, it is worth explaining the meaning of the term globalization in order to get the clear picture of the […]
• Internet Promotion in Business The internet is providing both the business owners and the buyers an opportunity to improve their interactions to the benefits of the consumer as well as the seller.
• Parental Control as a Guarantee of Children’s Safety on the Internet Parents are liable for the safety of children on the Net and therefore are obliged to control and expand their knowledge in this field constantly.
• Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) In fact, the application protocols are the visible user interface to the protocol suite of the TPC/IP and always communicate with other internet hosts applications.
• Should the Internet Be Regulated? The French government’s attempts to control the internet were unsuccessful because of similar arguments and the failure and lack of jurisdiction.
• Limiting Access to the Internet for Children The development of technologies and digitalization of the world contributed to the increased availability of data and the spread of the Internet.
• Impacts of Internet on Children Health and Addiction Among the worst hit are children, who find themselves addicted to it given that they are in the process of development. To help nurture children’s behavior, parents should educate them on the safety and risks […]
• How the Internet Affect the Young People Procedure A survey will to be conducted to examine the use of internet among the young people. Solutions to the Effects of Internet on Young People Internet is a two edged sword, one edge good […]
• Free Speech on the Internet Overview The growing pace in the use of the internet for expression has been elating: it is a renewal of the fight for democracy and the restoration of egalitarianism.
• Effects of Internet Addiction on Family Relationships Among Teenagers In the modern society, cyber bullying refers to the instances where the individual uses the internet to interfere with the rights and freedoms of others.
• Privacy and Safety on the Internet The user should have knowledge of how his or her information is being collected, the purpose of collection and how the party is going to use the information. The final security measure to ensure safety […]
• On Internet Addiction in Swift’s Satirical Style In the modern world, it is difficult to find any person who is unfamiliar with the Internet. People began to abuse the Internet and live a virtual life, forgetting the real world.
• Communication Technologies: From Telegraph to the Internet From the time the telegraph was invented up to the current time, the world population has continued to increase, triggering improvements in communication technology and leading to the invention of the current-day internet.
• Will TV Succumb to the Internet? However, in the late 1990s, cable and satellite companies acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. Of course, the companies expand their brands bringing them to the Web.
• College Students: Internet Addiction The authors also note that the use and access of the internet have increased in the past decades. Additionally, the authors argue that conflicts between parents and young individuals are likely to result in internet […]
• The Importance of Graphic Design Related to Internet Communication However, to establish the strength of the argument in relation to the importance of online communication, it is crucial to discuss on the definition of graphic design, the functions of graphic design, the functions of […]
• Internet Files Sharing The tutor and the student are now able to communicate and exchange file over the internet in form of lessons, instructions, and assignments online.
• Internet of Things in Agriculture According to Chalimov, farmers can control such indicators as soil contamination, the proportion of harmful substances in the air, the level of water pollution, and many other characteristics that are crucial to address timely.
• The Effect of Internet Addiction on Students’ Emotional and Academic Performance The participants will be told the goals and objectives of the study, and their experience of Internet addiction will be clarified.
• Ethics and the Internet Ethics refer to the fundamental rights of others and the regulations which govern how we should behave in relation to others when our behaviors are affecting others.
• Project for Wireless Internet Access for Hostel (WIAH) There has been great demand of more convenient wireless internet access by guests although internet connection is already available in the common rooms of the hostel at a reasonable fee.
• Will Modern Technology, Such as the Internet Ever Replace the Book or the Written Word as the Main Source of Information? For example, the reader can jump to references or graphics and from there to the relevant section in the body of the text.
• The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children’s Internet Another negative aspect that raises opposition to COPPA and CIPA is the impossibility of controlling children in places other than home or a school library.
• The Lululemon Brand Internet Strategies The brand’s Internet communications embody the philosophy of the company and the language of its Internet communications and site mirror the corporate culture. As a rule, Lululemon makes scant use of the Internet in its […]
• Internet Services, Connections, and Limitations The third limitation of the current internet is language development limitations related to web development tools such as HTML, which are not efficient in the development of databases and online communication platforms.
• Internet and Social Networks’ Impact on Religion The issues surrounding the effects of the Internet on religion have been the center of controversy of the debate on the topic with scholars belonging to either of the sides seeking to substantiate their arguments.
• The Internet Impacts on the Travel Industry This research paper focuses on the impact that the internet has had in the lives of consumers and business units in the current society in the travel industry.
• Nestlé’s Use of the Internet and Its Website The user-friendliness of a website determines the experience of visitors of the site and this is the main consideration of the firm.
• Internet Recruiting In spite of the increased use of internet in the department of human resource, few researches have been involved in investigating the outcomes of internet in HR processes.
• Security Threats to Business: Is Internet a Safe Place? The stolen information can then be used against the victim as a means of blackmail, for industrial espionage or even to gain access to his or her financial accounts.
• ADSL Internet Connection Technology The speed is also affected by the type and the thickness of the wire the thicker the wire the higher the speed.
• Contribution of the Factors to the Internet Growth With the use of this different scripting languages integration of multimedia features into products has become a reality and with the advancement in scripting languages the internet in the near future is expected to have […]
• Internet Technology and Impact on Human Behavior It was the Internet that allowed the phenomenon of cyberbullying to emerge, the essence of which is the harassment of someone on the Internet by large groups of users.
• The Development of the Internet Licklider of MIT suggested a way of linking computers in 1962, and relocated to DARPRA later in the same year to champion the efforts of developing it.
• Are Internet and Google Making Us Stupid? In the past, people used to do their research in libraries and labs, but nowadays, with the advent of the internet, Google has become an easy source of information for almost all questions.
• Internet Marketing: Strategy, Implementation and Practice As revealed by Chaffey et al, the target market should have the access to internet services, since web marketing necessities the use of the internet.
• How the Internet Has Changed World Culture? The world has embarked on massive scientific and technological developments and inventions; the innovation of computers, particularly the Internet, has influenced people’s culture in a number of ways.
• Ajman Net Internet Cafe Marketing Plan The firm will acquire state of the art furniture to encourage customers to spend more time in the establishment. This approach will be used to improve the value proposition of services the firm offers in […]
• How has Internet Changed the Workplace and Organisations? The dramatic effects of the internet on organizations and the workplace have captured the headlines of the media and organizations have been experimenting with the ways of exploiting the internet for the maximum advantage.
• Cheating in the Internet The presence of ecommerce has increased the number of fraudulent deals in the internet. However, with the increasing number of transactions in the internet, fraudsters are taking advantage of the situation.
• The Evolution of the Personal Computer and the Internet Due to the complexity of the subject matter it is necessary to digress once more and discuss briefly the history of the World-Wide-Web so that there is a clearer understanding of what it is all […]
• Are the Effects of the Digital World and Internet on Our Modern Life Style Negative or Positive? The information is the main concept of the digital world, and the value of the information technologies is the main peculiar feature of the digital nation.
• Internet Addiction in Modern Society Good internet connectivity coupled with the fact that the cost of using the internet is very cheap make people to spent countless hours in the internet.
• The Use of Internet/Digital Technology to Motivate Learners The suggestion made by Stoll et al is very enticing in the sense that, use of ICT in classroom instruction helps to show a new dimension of teaching students with technology and how they impact […]
• Online Gaming Addiction Intervention HC’s philosophical stand is to stop the addiction, meaning that he is motivated and hopes that the obsession will end. The addiction process started at a very young age of 7 years, back when HC […]
• The Internet, Globalization and Network Society The embracing of the internet’s usage as a means of communication in the future will depend on the evolvement of people’s quality of online relationships and the amount of time people are bound to be […]
• Two Inventions Comarison: Telephone and Internet However, the history of the first inventor of the telephone is shrouded in mystery with the name of Elisha Gray attached with the invention of the first telephone.
• Mobile Wireless Internet vs. Wi-Fi The following paper will compare and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of regular 3G and Wi-Fi connections to the World Wide Web.
• Internet Governance Concept and Scope The rapid growth and development of the Internet in many countries all over the world stirred concerns over the introduction of a multi-stakeholder Internet governance rather than giving the United States full control over the […]
• Benefits of the Internet One of the uniqueness of using internet to communicate is that, there are no barriers, as people can connect easily at any place and all the time.
• The Internet Impact on Interpersonal Communication This paper aims to answer the question, “How does the Internet affect human relationships and communication processes?” Despite the evident benefits of the Internet in human life, like time-saving and the content of exchanged information, […]
• Critical Evaluation of “Shame About the Internet” Andreas Kappes proposes to focus on the actions themselves, their nature, and premises to figure out deeper motives and causes of the transgression and trying to develop ways of its solution.
• Internet Revenue Contribution at Sandvik Steel The company has endeavored to be a leader in IT adoption and application, and from the case study, it is eminent that Sandvik Steel managed to increase its turnover and per share earnings by twelve […]
• Child Pornography on the Internet: How to Combat? This paper will discuss the role of the internet in the spread of child pornography. Before the popularity of the internet in the 1980s, child pornography was rare and unheard of.
• Internet and the Society: Positive and Negative Aspects This is the reason why there has been restricted use of the internet in some areas such as the Middle East where the internet has been termed a danger to social cohesion.
• Internet: Wimax vs. Fiber Optics The research will also seek to identify the level of awareness regarding the viability of both WiMAX and fiber optics technology in the deployment of access networks.
• The Internet and Freedom of Speech: Ethics and Restrictions Because of a lack of security technology, across the board prohibition is justified under the law, a concept that is in itself considered unlawful by a strict definition of the First Amendment of the Constitution […]
• The Internet as the Recruitment Platform In addition, the online recruitment saved the job applicants the cost of recruitment in terms of transport, meals, and other expenditures.
• Internet for Learning and Knowledge Acquisition Due to manifold effects of technological innovations, education has undergone significant and positive changes connected with the simplification and automation of sophisticated processes, the introduction of audio-visual media, and the advent of the World Wide […]
• Internet Pornography Regulation The availability of internet to people and similar availability of pornographic contents in the internet has been a factor to the spread and influence of pornography.
• Views on Internet and the Human Brain by Nicholas Carr In his argument, the writer notes that the Internet is taking over the human mind. The audience is also able to relate the issues in the argument with the effects caused by computers.
• Men and Women in Internet and Social Media: Real-Life Stereotypes in the Virtual Communication Analyzing the peculiarities of the communication processes carried out via the Internet and social media, one can see the way gender issues impact the atmosphere and the course of the communication among men and in […]
• Netflix Internet Marketing The users assist Netflix in marketing the company to other potential users of the service. Netflix uses the numerous capabilities of the internet to market its services.
• Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) For a VoIP network to meet the needs of a user, it has to guarantee the quality of service. Since the management of a VoIP system requires implementation of numerous safety procedures, it is hard […]
• The Internet as the Heart of Modern Civilization The world has witnessed the increasing benefits of the internet through the quality and frequency of human interaction and interpersonal relations.
• Interconnection Between the Lives of Human Beings and the Internet Of particular interest is online dating which has captivated the mind of millions of people around the world, triggering debates, discussions and research in order to have a clear understanding of the fundamentals of online […]
• Internet Marketing: Use of Social Media by Artists to Market Their Music Today, the success of an artist is not directly related to the number of albums they have sold but rather to a number of combined factors including: ticket sales, Internet hits and the amount of […]
• Improper Internet Use at Work However, every company has written or unwritten policy for the use of internet and the employees must ensure that they: Comply with the policy Use internet in an acceptable way Do not create unnecessary risk […]
• The Role of Blogs and Social Networking in Altering Our Daily Usage of the Internet The advanced use of the internet or the World Wide Web in the contemporary world has had a revolutionary impact to the people all over the world, thus helping to improve their lives in a […]
• The Effects of the Internet on People’s Ability for Deep Thought and Extended Contemplation The critics and technology stakeholders chosen as the respondents to the survey provided their take on the issue of the effects of the internet.
• Internet Retail Service Quality and Consumer Repurchase The study focused on determining the influence of internet retail-service quality on the ability of consumers to make a repeat purchase.
• Internet Usage Role in the Social Life Focus is laid upon the use of the internet in Canadian businesses and current affairs, the cultural background and various internet activities engaged in by both the young and old generation together with the consumption […]
• How the Internet is Changing Your Brain? One of the most evident things that can be observed nowadays is that the Internet has a considerable impact on people, the development of relations, the ways of how information is exchanged, etc.
• Addressing Aggression on the Internet With Introspection One of the best ways to address this issue is introspection because this practice makes people aware and in control of their own thoughts, intentions, and emotions.
• Internet and Smartphone Effect In this essay, I analyze the arguments advanced by experts in five different publications in order to investigate the consequences of internet and smartphone use on human behavior and relationships during the COVID-19 epidemic.
• The Development of the Internet Space For example, how moral it is to use ad blockers, considering the fact that online advertising is necessary to pay for content that users get for free.
• Navigating the Digital Realm: Unveiling the Role of ICANN in Internet Governance Since the founding of the ICANN in 1998, the IANA has reported to the ICANN and continues to be responsible for coordinating the essential elements of the continuity of the Internet.
• Entry Into a New Market With Established Internet Service Providers The framework is useful in this case, given the complexity of the issues the company had to address as it entered a highly competitive market.
• Internet Fraud: Importance of Problem-Solving This is because the criminal information systems have not documented any modifications, and the statistics are less effective due to underreporting of internet fraud.
• The Internet of Things: Revolutionizing Connectivity, Privacy, and Security The information that the devices may collect is first stored in the internal memory of a device and then sent into the gateway of IoT.
• The Internet and Web 3: Problems and Solutions Transitioning from Web 1 to Web 3 covers several decades, and the progress in this direction is guided by the need to modify numbers and the status of participants alongside the operations, available to them. […]
• Government’s Role in Regulating Internet Content Although technological advancements have been beneficial to human beings, the Internet has led to increased crime rates and infringement of basic human rights.
• Internet Service Providers Market Structure All market structures are determined by the criteria of the number of firms in the industry, the similarity of products they sell, and ease of entry and exit.
• Impact of Cyber Crime on Internet Banking The paper evaluates a con article on ‘The impact of cybercrime on e-banking’ [1]. H2: Identity theft will have a negative impact on the adoption of electronic banking.
• Blockchain and Internet-of-Things in Agriculture The intensification of the deep penetration of information technology in all areas of life has naturally led to the development of strategies to use it everywhere to optimize processes.
• Internet Media Platforms and Their Role in Society Platforms for new media have emerged as significant spaces for both social and political interaction and they have gained recognition for their advanced aspects, on the one hand.
• Protecting Brands and Trademarks on the Internet A most effective way to protect one’s trademark is to proactively register the trademark or brand by securing relevant hashtags, account names, and pages.
• The Internet of Things (IoT) Security The security of iOS devices is ensured primarily by maintaining the integrity of the code, verifying the authenticity of users and devices, and assigning ownership rights to users.
• The History and Significance of Internet The role of the Internet is quite significant in the development of modern society and the construction of a new social reality.
• Poor Access to the Internet in the United States The plan for the project is to provide a list of areas currently in need of 3G/4G Internet and the general requirements for equipment necessary to succeed in connection.
• Aspects of the Internet of Things Thus, it is essential to explore the implications for people and companies caused by the convergence of IoT, cloud computing, mobile computing, and electronic business.
• Internet of Things Solution of Petco Moreover, the authorization of each of the employees and a clear automated distribution of powers for them is conveniently supported with the help of IoT.
• Internet Sources: An Evidence-Based Internet Source Due to the evolution of the media, as well as the appearance of the Internet in people’s lives, it is safe to say that the problem of information hunger for the average person as a […]
• Public Libraries Should Filter Internet Pornography A place to grow your knowledge and wind down is every student’s favorite activity to do as libraries can aid is relieving stress, as the computers are used to look up various types of sources […]
• Public Libraries and Internet Pornography In this case, considering the detrimental effect of Internet pornography, including illegal content, encouragement of violence, and exposure of minors and other visitors to disturbing content, such material should be filtered.
• Internet Impact on Children’s Intelligence and Socialization Ninety percent of children today already have an online history once they reach the age of two, and most use the internet regularly by the age of seven or eight.
• Analysis of Internet Friendship Issues Despite the correlation that develops on the internet, the question of whether social media can facilitate and guarantee the establishment of a real friend has remained a key area of discussion.
• Analysis of Internet Forecasting Industry Late Start = Late Finish of the following activity Late Finish = Late Strat Duration of the project The calculation of LS and LF should be conducted from the end of the diagram network. By […]
• Internet of Things and Key Security Requirements The authentication component involves the IoT system’s ability to verify users’ and devices’ identities before guaranteeing access to information from individual devices or the right to operate such devices remotely in group tasks.
• The Internet Should Remain Open Source The Internet must remain open source, as it eliminates obstacles amongst innovators, allowing for the free flow of information within a society, which is necessary for innovative, scientific, and technical growth. The open-source movement is […]
• Security Attacks on the Internet of Things As such, a network layer attack is a process that aims to disrupt these network components within the IoT space. A code injection attack is defined as a process that aims to deposit malicious executable […]
• Connecting Rural Villages and Remote Locations to the Internet The purpose of this report is to provide recommendations for which solution to choose to address the problem of connecting rural villages and remote locations to the Internet.
• Machine Learning for Internet of Things Devices Hussain et al.justify the use of ML for IoT by pointing out the vast amount of data that IoT gathers. Other recent papers, such as the one by Diedrichs et al, focus on the more […]
• Political Economy of Chinese Internet Companies This is significant because, while the online world in China is well-known to be trapped behind the Great Wall, there may be another half of the issue that has been comparatively overlooked: the big three […]
• Internet of Things Security Issues The creation of intelligent devices provoked further development in this area, which led to the emergence of the Internet of things.
• Application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the Healthcare Industry The Internet of Things is one of the most innovative concepts implemented in diverse spheres of production, technology, sales, communication, and medicine.
• Modern Internet and Hate Speech One of the significant reasons hate speech on the Internet and in general in the media is quickly and firmly entrenched in its latent resolution for most people.
• Discussion of Internet of Things Internet of Things implies connecting devices into a chain and allowing them to collect and analyze information. IoT systems operate in real-time and usually consist of some “smart” devices and cloud platforms.
• Warehouse Logistics: The Use of Internet of Things The goal of this review is to analyze various methods of warehouse logistics optimization in the context of IoT implementation. One example of this is the use of sensors to monitor the activities in the […]
• Government Restriction on the Internet
• Conspicuous Consumption and American Advertising on the Internet
• The Internet Protocol Address Management
• Improving Internet Connectivity by Installing Wireless Network
• News on the Internet Is Trustworthy
• BOK Matrix Summary of Internet of Things
• “What Does the Internet Teach Your Teen About Sex?” Summary
• Is the Internet Affecting People Negatively?
• Media and Internet: Accurate vs. Inaccurate
• Internet Protocol Telephony and Voice Communication
• Food4all Firm’s Smart Sensors and the Internet of Things
• Internet Access Management in The 9-Iron Country Club
• Internet and Globalization Effects on Marketing
• Internet Resource Evaluation
• Bots and Their Role in Internet Regulation
• Internet Movies: Review and Analysis
• Coronavirus Pandemic in Modern Internet Slang
• The Supreme Court’s Internet Sales Tax Decision
• The Impacts of Internet Telephony (VoIP)
• Art, Pornography and Feminism and Internet Influence
• Avoiding Potentially Disastrous Internet Startups
• Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” in the Age of the Internet
• Internet of Medical Things
• Social Interaction and Everyday Life in the Internet Age
• Security Measures for Internet of Things Devices
• Use of the Internet by Small Businesses
• Internet Explorer: Software Reviewing
• Phishing Victimization on Internet Banking Awareness
• Free Speech and the Internet
• Internet Hacking and Cybersecurity Conundrum Analysis
• Internet Hacking and Cybersecurity Conundrum
• Esophageal Cancer: Credible Internet Information
• ICT Technologies: Internet Economics Discussion
• Internet Recruiting and Job Posting: Amazon, Schneider, Indeed, Simplyhired and CapraTek
• Welcome to Internet Marketing Ventures
• Internet Pornography Exposure and Women’s Attitude Towards Extramarital Sex
• Using the Internet for Analyzing Financial Data
• Evaluating Internet Health Information
• Contracts With Internet Service Providers
• The Second Internet Bubble Overview
• Law and Internet in the United States
• Internet Contracts Overview and Analysis
• The Internet of Things in the Clinical Segment
• The Effectiveness of Online Dispute Resolution to Resolve Internet Related Disputes
• Internet Protocol Version 6: Growth, Benefits, Security
• Authentication and Securing Personal Information in Untrusted Internet
• Policing Internet Fraud in Saudi Arabia
• Internet Resources: Choosing of Credible Website
• Legal and Ethical Ramifications of Internet Adoptions
• Critique to Website the Internet Mental Health
• Network Security. Profound Use of the Internet
• Using the Internet for Master’s Programmes
• The Concepts of Identity Theft via the Internet
• Brand Loyalty Through the Internet
• Defamation on the Internet
• Internet, Architecture, and Urban Planning: William J. Mitchell’s “City of Bits”
• DSL Technologies and Other Internet Networks
• Open Standards, Internet, and Free Software
• ClearSky Airways Inflight Internet Strategy – Going Global or Not
• The Internet is a Democratic Technology
• Clubs’ Relationship With Fans and Internet
• Internet Streams Types: General Analysis
• Use of the Information Technology to Solve Crimes: DNA Tests and Biometrics
• China and the Internet: Assessment of the Situation
• Using the Internet to Solve a Crime
• Globalization and the Internet: Change of Organized Crime
• “Relationships of Problematic Internet Use With Depression”: Study Strengths and Weaknesses
• Impact of Internet Use, Online Gaming, and Gambling Among College Students
• Thinking, Learning, and Literacy in the Internet Age
• Internet Retail: Economy and Future Trends
• Internet Function and Potential in a Democratic Society
• Reasoning on the Internet: Defense and Explanation
• Application Specific Internet of Things by Ang & Seng
• Health Care Technology: The Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Internet Use and Well-Being Among College Students
• Internet Resources: Wcag 2.1 Guidelines
• Impact of the Internet on Psychological Wellbeing
• The Internet and Poverty in Society
• Internet Impact on Journalism: Print vs. Online Newspapers
• Internet as the Most Consulted Source of Information
• Internet of Things in a Work of an Urban Planning Specialist
• The Decision of PIPA and SOPA and Internet Privacy
• Positive Effects of Internet in the Western Society
• The Government Blocks Access to Internet Websites
• The Internet and Autobiographical Memory
• The Influence of Internet Trade on Electronics Buying Behaviour
• The Influence of Pornography on the Internet
• Internet as a Communication Tool
• The Use of the Internet and Library by Employees
• Internet Culture, E-Commerce, and New Economy
• File Transfer Protocol in the Internet Environment
• Net Neutrality: Freedom of Internet Access
• Ethical Issues of Internet Privacy
• Risk and Trust – Internet Relationships
• The Researching the Matters of the Internet
• YouTube, the Internet and the Future of Movies
• Chomsky’s Consent and Internet Communications
• Internet: Past and Present
• Why Internet Filters Should Be Used?
• Internet Security: Why It Is So Important Nowadays
• Impact of Language on the Internet
• Internet Advertising and Behavioral Targeting
• Internet Child Pornography Issue Review
• Business Law: Internet Use at the Workplace
• Internet in Terms of National Politics
• Internet Communications and Simple Syndication
• Internet Gambling Issue Description
• Internet and Traditional Newspaper Industry
• Freedom of Speech and the Internet
• Vulnerabilities in Internet Protocol v.6
• Using the Internet for Learning
• Use of Internet-Based Electronic Data Interchange in Companies
• Technology and Innovation-Microsoft and Internet
• International Technical Collaboration Using Internet
• Business Ethics on the Internet
• DSL Internet vs. Broadband Internet
• Effects of the Internet in the United States
• Internet Is Considered a Disruptive Not a Revolutionary Technology
• Telstra: Internet and Mobile Phone Services Market Research
• Internet Drawbacks Upon Youth
• The Internet: Introduction to Networking
• Twitter: An Internet Communication Phenomenon
• Jeff Kosseff: The Twenty-Six Words That Created the Internet
• The Internet of Things: A Brief Research
• Cloud Services in the Internet-Related Industries
• The Internet of Things: Technical Description
• Education Redefined Under the Influence of the Internet
• Internet Influence on the CDM Process
• The Internet at Individual and Societal Levels
• Internet is Radicalizing Us: Evidence Presentation
• Mobile Video Internet Search and Summary
• Internet of Things Security: Denial-Of-Service Attacks
• Internet Marketing Consultation for a Shoes Shop
• Cyber Theft and Internet Security Measures
• Internet, Virtual Reality, and World Wide Web
• S-Border Gateway Protocol for Internet Security
• Internet and Its Consequences for Society
• Internet Marketing and Ubiquitous Advertisement
• Voice over Internet Protocol Supplier’s Decisions
• Computer and Internet Security Notions
• Telecommunications, the Internet and Wireless Technology
• Internet Marketing: Opportunities and Problems
• The Internet and Its Role
• Internet Information and Its Reliability
• Internet Knowledge in “Super Crunchers” by Ian Ayres
• The Ozi Native Clothing Company: Pricing on the Internet
• E-Commerce Directive for Internet Service Providers
• Ethics in Biomedical and Nursing Internet Research
• Internet as a Basis for “Knowledge Monopoly”
• How Web 3.0 Is Changing the Internet?
• The Internet of Things: Securing Embedded Code
• The Development of Internet Finance in China
• Global Internet Usage and Nutrition Applications
• Internet Engineering Task Force and Standards
• Internet Replacing Books as Learning Tool
• Internet of Things Security in Smart Cities
• Cisco’s Social Strategy Toward Internet of Everything
• Internet Crimes and Digital Terrorism Prevention
• Internet in American Politics, Society, Economics
• “Amazon Laws” and Taxation of Internet Sales
• An Effective Usage of the Internet
• Internet Issues: Teens, Social Media and Privacy
• Internet Monopolies: Everybody Wants to Rule the World
• Victoria University’s Internet Marketing
• Internet Marketing and Business Models
• Free Internet and Traffic Jams Elimination
• Internet Security: Trust or Control?
• Computer Crimes and Internet Security
• Mobile Internet and Its Economics
• Internet Crime Prevention by Law and E-Business
• Cover Design Under Internet Technology Impact
• Recommender Systems of Internet
• Internet and Mobile Devices for Hotel Management
• Privacy Threats in Internet, Work and Drug Testing
• Internet and Fraudulent Financial Reporting
• Internet, Economic Development and EU Debt Crisis
• Internet and Social Media in Egyptian Uprisings
• Net Neutrality Proposed by Internet Providers
• The Internet as a Information Systems Innovation
• The Internet Effect on the Youth Participation in Politics
• Internet Media Safety Application and Administration
• Railway IT Systems: Internet of Things
• Internet Gambling and Its Impact on the Youth
• Expression on the Internet: Vidding, Copyright and Freedom
• Air France Company’s Internet Marketing
• Gender Effects on the Internet Catalogue and Store Shopping
• Internet Access in Africa: Statistics and Projects
• Mobile Internet Consumption and Challenges
• Internet Usage and Privacy in the Army
• The Internet Use at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital
• Global Marketing Strategies: The Internet’s Impact
• Internet Ethics: E-Commerce and Online Fraud
• Internet Censorship and Cultural Values in the UAE
• Bundling and Distribution of Digitized Music Over the Internet
• Remix Culture on the Internet
• Internet Evolution and Structure
• How to Stop Internet Crime?
• The Internet History, Development and Forecast
• Strategies for Branding: Internet Advertising
• Fake Reviews’ Problems in the Internet
• Early Scholars’ Views on the Internet
• Internet Piracy and SOPA Act
• B2B Internet Communication
• Internet Piracy and Stop Online Piracy Act in the US
• Internet as Employment Challenge – Cyberslacking
• Internet Crimes: Cyberstalking
• Roku Internet Device in Thailand
• Internet Models of Airbnb and Uber Companies
• Internet Censorship: Blocking and Filtering
• Government Internet Surveillance: Privacy Threat
• Cape Breton: Internet Accessibility
• Technologies: High-Speed Internet vs. the Cable Television
• Computer Science: Threats to Internet Privacy
• Internet Infrastructure: Australia vs. Laos
• How Internet Communication Helps Graphic Designers to Spread Their Art Works to the World
• Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage
• Sony Corporation: Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security Concerns
• A Day in My Office Without Internet and New Social Media Technologies in My Workplace
• Uses of the Internet and Mobile Devices During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Epidemic in 2003 in the PRC
• The Role of Strategic Management in Broadband Internet Uptake in Tasmania
• Internet Usability Importance
• Customer Management Systems on Internet Based Book Selling
• Internet Communities and Social Networks
• Graphic Design and the Internet
• Zappos.com Company Internet Market Analysis
• E-Business: Big Data and the Internet
• Internet Filtering: Debating the Positives & Negatives
• Internet Use Policy at Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Censorship on the Internet
• Internet Filtering Positives and Negatives
• Impact of Internet on Company Operations
• Can the Internet Provide a Forum for Rational Political Debate?
• Internet-Based Loyalty Programs
• How Does the Internet Aid Communication?
• The History of Internet and Internet Security
• Internet Purchasing Portal to Facilitate Better Online Electronic Commerce Transactions in China
• Graphic Design in the Internet Communications: Let the Art Envelop the Whole World
• Portable Energy Inc: Internet Strategy
• Who Should Be Allowed to Filter the Internet?
• Internet like the marketing tool for most organizations
• Effects of the Internet
• Analyses of Online/ Internet Advertising as a Marketing Communication Tool
• E-Business and Internet Startups
• Big Role of the Internet in Business
• Internet Technology, Marketing, and Security
• How Internet Communication, and Social Media Influences Politics and Social Awareness in the World
• Will Schools Survive the Internet?
• How Google Governs the Internet
• Internet and Everyday Life
• The Implications of Internet-Banking on Bank Profitability
• Service Quality Model in Internet Banking and Finance
• Internet-Mediated Communication
• Internet Key Exchange Protocol
• Internet Communication and Graphic Design
• Impact Digitization and Convergence on Internet
• The Internet Radio: A Critical Discussion
• Internet Marketing Strategy
• Incorporate of Call and the Internet in Learning English as a Foreign Language: Teachers and Students
• Law and Internet in Canada
• Internet Marketing in the Airlines Industry
• Internet Effect on Education and Students’ Literacy
• An Internet Based Procurement Service
• Children Internet Protection Act
• The Power of the Internet in China: Citizen Activism Online
• Internet Connections Through LED Bulbs and Light Waves (Li-Fi)
• Foreign Direct Investment in Internet Service Provision
• Privacy on the Internet: A Critical Analysis
• Internet Security Practices in Organization
• Internet Marketing Strategy and Its Benefits
• The Internet Altered the Core Tendencies in Mass Media Businesses in Any Part of the Convergent Media
• Current and Emerging Technology in the Internet Technology
• Gift Basket Store: Virtual Storefront Adoption
• Internet Consumer Activity: Shopping Websites
• How the Internet Influences Price Dispersion
• Developing an Internet Marketing Strategy
• Globalization and Internet
• Cloud Computing and the Usage of the Internet
• Internet Monopoly of Knowledge
• The Internet Is a Powerful Force
• Effects of the Internet on Human Cognition
• How the Internet Affects Politics and Elections?
• Quaker: Internet as a Communication and Advertisement Tool
• Internet and E-Business
• Aspects of Internet Censorship by the Government
• Internet Marketing Communication Strategies
• Internet Marketing: What Is Web 2.0?
• The Music Industry Versus the Internet: MP3 and Other CyberMmusic Wars
• The Effect of Cellphones and Internet on Teenagers
• Controversies Over Freedom of Speech and Internet Postings
• Internet Art and the Introduction of Interactivity
• Should Censorship Laws Be Applied to the Internet?
• The Problem of Desinformation in Internet
• The Government Surveillance at Ensuring Acceptable Use of the Internet
• Internet Marketing: World Wide Web as a Pull Medium for Marketing Rather Than a Push Medium
• Internet Rewires Our Brain
• Overview of the Internet Age
• The Internet and Sex Industries
• The Problem of Internet Piracy in Modern Society
• Is the Internet Changing our Social Lives?
• The Internet’s Advantages and Disadvantages
• Internet Tools for Dirt Bikes
• E-Commerce and Internet Marketing AND What Are Customer Opinion Good For?
• Internet Abuse in the Work Place
• The Internet as a Method of Recruitment
• Interactive Internet Marketing
• Web Privacy – Reliance on Internet
• Internet Censorship in Saudi Arabia
• Paper Analysis: Instructional Document about Plagiarism and the Internet
• Introduction to the Sources of the New Ethics that is Required by the Internet
• Internet Job Research: Accountants and Auditors
• How the Internet Has Changed Global Businesses
• Internet and Democracy in US
• International Internet Retailer
• What Are the Causes of the Increased Lack of Internet Privacy?
• Internet Addiction Among College Students
• Internet as Means of Social Interaction
• Impact of the Internet on Information Systems Ethics
• Social, Educational and Economical Impacts of the Internet in the New Millennium
• Running of Multinational Internet Firm
• The Internet as Social Media: Connectivity and Immediacy
• The Level of Internet Adoption in Saudi Arabia
• Digital Technology – The Use of the Internet
• E-Business and Internet Technology
• How Different Are Consumers in Internet Auction Markets?
• Are Children Smarter Because of the Internet?
• Does Broadband Internet Reduce the Unemployment Rate?
• How Has the Internet Impacted Society?
• Can Internet Infrastructure Help Reduce Regional Disparities?
• Does Computers and the Internet Help Students Learn?
• Are Internet and Face-To-Face Contacts Complements or Substitutes?
• Does the Internet Affect Today’s Children for Good or Bad?
• Can the Business Use of Internet Technologies Help a Company Gain a Competitive Advantage?
• Does Internet Always Improve Quality of Lives?
• Are Internet Message Boards Used to Facilitate Stock Price Manipulation?
• Does Internet Banking Substitute Traditional Banking?
• Can the Internet Improve Agricultural Production?
• Does Internet Connectivity Affect Export Performance?
• Are Parents Clueless About Child Predators on the Internet?
• Does Internet Increase Crime?
• Can the Internet Promote Democracy?
• Does Internet Search Interest for Gold Move the Gold Spot, Stock and Exchange Rate Markets?
• Are Youths Too Dependent on Internet?
• Does the Internet Use Crowd Out Face-To-Face Ties?
• Should Public Libraries Filter Internet Sites?
• Does Better Internet Access Lead To More Adoption?
• Is Downloading Songs From the Internet Robbery or Free Expression?
• Does the Internet Have Psychological Benefits?
• Does the Internet Increase Trading?
• Has the Internet Eliminated Regional Price Differences?
• Does the Internet Make Us Smarter or Dumber?
• Have Classroom Teachers Become Less Important With the Increased Use of the Internet in Education?
• How Did Location Affect Adoption of the Commercial Internet?
• Digital Transformation Topics
• Online Dating Ideas
• CyberCrime Topics
• Distance Education Topics
• Censorship Essay Ideas
• Cyberspace Topics
• Internet of Things Topics
• Hacking Essay Topics
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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New Research Shows that Improving Mobile Internet Service Can Reduce Digital Inequality

Over 90% of the U.S. population has internet access. 

However, many households, particularly those of low socioeconomic status, are “smartphone-dependent,” meaning they rely purely on their smartphone for internet access. As a result, their connection may be unstable or slow, and they may be constrained by data caps that limit how much they can use the internet. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to households with internet access through smartphones and other broadband connections at home and work, perpetuating digital inequality between disadvantaged and advantaged households. 

The smartphone dependence of many disadvantaged households begs the question: If mobile internet service was better – e.g. if it was faster, more reliable, and/or didn’t come with data constraints – could that reduce digital inequality and level the playing field? Researchers from the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business and Southern Methodist University Cox School of Business studied this question and found the answer is “yes.”

Karthik Kannan , assistant professor of IT and Operations Management at the Cox School of Business and Georgia Tech Ph.D. graduate, led the project. “I was interested in the effect of data caps. For example, when you have 10GB of data per month and use more, you are charged extra, or your connection is throttled,” said Kannan. “So, I partnered with a large telecommunications provider to study what happens when their subscribers switched from capped to unlimited data plans. I was particularly interested in differences between high-income and low-income households.”

Kannan, along with  Eric Overby , Catherine and Edwin Wahlen Professor of Information Technology Management, and  Sri Narasimhan , Gregory J. Owens Professor of Information Technology Management, at the Scheller College of Business, found that while all households increased their data use after switching to an unlimited plan, the increase was significantly larger for families of low socioeconomic status.

“That was our initial finding: that improving mobile internet service by removing the data cap had disproportionately large benefits for disadvantaged households,” said Overby. “But that didn’t mean much in and of itself. If those households weren’t using the additional data for ‘enriching’ purposes like accessing educational, health care, or career-related data, the additional data consumption wouldn’t translate into positive social benefits. Indeed, years of research on digital inequality have consistently shown a ‘usage gap’ in which advantaged households take fuller advantage of internet access improvements than disadvantaged households. The result is that internet improvements often exacerbate inequality. So, we dug deeper.”

Specifically, the researchers leveraged the telecommunication provider’s data categorization system to study changes in the consumption of educational data. They found that disadvantaged households experienced disproportionate increases in education data consumption (as well as in overall data consumption) after switching to unlimited mobile data. Although advantaged households increased their education data consumption by approximately 15MB (or about three digital textbooks) per month after switching to unlimited data, disadvantaged households increased their education data consumption by approximately 24MB (or about five digital textbooks) per month.

 “We can’t be sure that these disproportionate increases in education data consumption will help disadvantaged households narrow gaps in educational outcomes. However, this is clearly a step in the right direction,” said Kannan. 

 The research is directly relevant to the Federal Communications Commission’s 2023 inquiry into the effects of data caps on disadvantaged households. Narasimhan explains, “Let’s say that based on their inquiry, the FCC decides to limit the use of data caps. A logical question is: will that do any good? In other words, will disadvantaged households take advantage of their improved mobile internet service in a way that can reduce digital inequality? Prior to our research, we didn’t really know. But based on our research, the answer is yes.”

 The research paper is forthcoming in Management Science and available at  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4173558 .

Eric Overby

News room topics

New research shows removing data caps to cell phone usage may not only reduce digital inequality but might increase education data consumption by disadvantaged populations. 

Fibre to the premises delivers most reliable broadband connection

Australians that have a fibre to the premises broadband connection experience less outages than any other NBN connection type, the ACCC’s latest Measuring Broadband Australia report has found. 

The latest report compares the performance of each of the NBN fixed-line technologies for outage frequency, latency and packet loss.

The report found that Australians with fibre to the node (FTTN) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections are more likely to experience frequent outages compared to those on fibre to the premises (FTTP) connections.

During the testing, FTTN connections accounted for almost half (48 per cent) of the services that experienced an outage on most days, despite representing 34 per cent of all NBN fixed-line connections in the Measuring Broadband Australia program. By comparison, FTTP connections, which represent 36 per cent of the connections in the program, accounted for only 12 per cent of services that experienced an outage on most days.

“While all NBN fixed-line connection types experience some outages, there is a noticeable increase in the frequency of these outages if you have a FTTN or HFC connection,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“If a consumer is experiencing frequent outages, we encourage them to contact their broadband provider for assistance. They may be able to access a fibre to the premises upgrade at their address or obtain a mobile backup to provide service continuity during outages.”

Figure 1. Distribution of NBN fixed-line access technologies per outage frequency

In addition to outages, a consumer’s broadband connection quality is also impacted by latency and packet loss.

Latency refers to the time it takes to send data from a user’s device to a server and back. Packet loss is when a user does not receive all the data that they requested when using online applications.

Higher latency means there are delays in sending and receiving data. Both high latency and high packet loss can cause significant disruptions to a consumers experience when using online applications.

The report found that the average latency for NBN fixed-line connections was 10.7 milliseconds and the average packet loss was 0.16 per cent, neither of which is likely to disrupt a consumer’s experience when using common online applications.

Compared to other NBN connection types, FTTP connections recorded the lowest average latency and packet loss with less variation between results across different households. This suggests that FTTP connections are more capable of delivering a reliable experience for consumers when using online applications that require very low latency or packet loss.

Figure 2. Average latency per NBN fixed-line access technology

Figure 3. average packet loss per nbn fixed-line access technology, consumers continue to receive close to advertised download speeds.

Broadband retailers continued to deliver download speeds to consumers close to their maximum plan speeds during March 2024.

This report was the first in the Measuring Broadband Australia program’s history where Telstra recorded the highest average download speed during the busy hours (7-11pm) of the retail service providers featured. NBN fixed-line connections on the Telstra network recorded an average busy hour download speed of 102.3 per cent of plan speed.

The average busy download speed across all retail service providers on NBN fixed-line connections was 99.8 per cent of plan speed, compared to 99.3 per cent last quarter.

Underperforming services represented 4.1 per cent of the NBN fixed-line services tested in this report, the lowest figure in the program’s history. The number of underperforming services with a FTTN connection remains higher than other connection types.

“We will continue to monitor underperforming services as they can have a big impact on consumers who rightly expect to receive the speeds they are paying for,” Ms Brakey said.

The ACCC welcomes the inclusion of additional retail service providers and emerging broadband technologies to reflect the increasing broadband offerings in the market.

The ACCC is currently examining whether the performance of satellite services, such as those provided over NBN SkyMuster and Starlink, could be monitored as part of the Measuring Broadband Australia program. Consumers who use satellite services can sign up to volunteer via the Measuring Broadband Australia website .

Data for Measuring Broadband Australia is provided by UK-based firm SamKnows using methodology based on speed testing programs delivered in the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand.

To sign up, visit  Measuring Broadband Australia

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Who won the Biden-Trump debate? Biden's freeze draws age concerns

WASHINGTON – Presidential debates are always about expectations. And Thursday’s verbal sparring match between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump was no exception.  

The stakes were highest for Biden who, at age 81, was already battling perceptions he is too elderly for a second term. Meanwhile, Trump, 78, was facing concerns from moderate and swing voters about his at times bombastic style.  

The biggest moment of the night came early, when Biden froze for several seconds while answering a question about the economy. 

That – and all of the many other gaffes of the evening − will be replayed on cable news shows and shared thousands of times on social media for weeks to come. But how will it influence the 2024 election?  

Here’s a breakdown of who came out on top and who fell short in the immediate aftermath.  

Trump showed more energy than Biden  

Experts USA TODAY spoke with said they saw sharp differences in the stamina of the two candidates on stage Thursday night, and they said Biden’s low-energy demeanor could hurt him for months to come.  

In one of the most defining moments of the debate, Biden took a prolonged pause and froze while answering a question about the economy. After stuttering, the president continued, but began talking about COVID-19 and Medicare. 

Even some of Biden's Democratic supporters felt his freeze on stage and his somewhat wooden performance tipped the scales in Trump's favor.

Trump sought to highlight Biden’s slower responses, at one point saying, “I really don't know what he said at the end of this, and I don't think he knows what he said, either."

Thomas Whalen, a presidential historian and professor at Boston University, said Biden was “looking his age,” while Trump was “more controlled and sticking to his talking points.” 

Aaron Kall, director of Debate for the University of Michigan Debate Program, suggested Biden’s pauses “could spur endless news cycles about (his) age and fitness to serve another term in office.” 

New debate format aimed to decrease chaos

If seeing Trump and Biden on stage together again didn’t provide enough deja vu, their matchup also marked the first time since 1960 that a presidential debate was held without a live audience . The last time was when John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon clashed.

The format was designed to eliminate immediate reactions to candidates’ remarks. Aaron Kall, director of debate for the University of Michigan, suggested it forced genuine responses rather than scripted statements from the candidates. 

Rather than rely on audience energy, Trump and Biden had to “trust their guts and instincts and previous debate experiences,” Kall said. 

The  use of muted microphones in the debate also nearly eliminated the type of candidate crosstalk that has plagued past debates, including most recently during the GOP primary. 

Georgia voters are central focus  

Trump and Biden weren’t the only ones in the spotlight Thursday night. All-important Georgia voters were, too. 

The location of the debate at CNN’s studios in Atlanta underscored Georgia’s role as crucial swing state in the election and served as a reminder that the candidate's messages − and bickering − will echo far beyond the stage. 

Biden won Georgia by just under 12,000 votes in 2020. But recent polling this year has shown Trump with a slight edge over his competitor in the key battleground territory. 

And the side-by-side comparison of the two candidates Thursday could very well sway the minds of undecided voters in the state. It was one of few opportunities the public will have to hear from the two men directly and judge for themselves who is the better pick for the country. 

Not to mention that the location gave both candidates an opportunity to campaign around the Atlanta suburbs. Trump called in to a local barbershop on Wednesday to talk with a group his campaign called the Black American Business Leaders Barbershop Roundtable. And Biden’s campaign said the president planned to attend watch parties across the city after the debate to talk with voters.  

Also of significance: The debate occurred only a few miles from the jail where Trump was booked last year on charges related to claims that he conspired to overturn the 2020 election.  

A major money boost for Democrats and Republicans  

Both major parties are expected to raise big dollars off Thursday’s affair. Similarly well-watched events have brought in the green for the two candidates.  

Biden’s campaign said he raised $10 million in the 24 hours after the State of the Union address. After Trump’s felony conviction in his New York hush money trial, his campaign said it raised $34.8 million in small-dollar donations.  

And both groups we’re leaning into their fundraising.  

Hours before the debate began, Biden’s team sent out a message telling supporters that he was “counting on” them to donate at least $30.  

“Tens of thousands of new supporters stepped up following my debates against Trump in 2020. And tonight, can’t be any different,” the message said.  

The Democratic Party of Georgia also hosted a watch party charging $24 per advance ticket. Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was similarly hosting a high-dollar event for Trump the night of the debate.  

Biden’s campaign said it had its best grassroots fundraising hours of the entire campaign leading up to the debate. 

False claims abound

Ashley Koning, director of the Rutgers Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling, argued that “facts and truth” were the biggest losers of the night.  

Both Trump and Biden made false comments throughout the debate that largely went unchecked by the moderators.  

Trump repeated claims that the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s fault. Trump claimed he offered Pelosi “10,000 soldiers” to stop the attack. Pelosi’s office has said, however, that she never received such an officer and that she wouldn’t have had the power to refuse either way.  

The former real estate mogul also claimed the U.S. southern border is the most dangerous place in the world. There is no evidence to suggest this.  

Biden also made incorrect claims. At one point, he claimed he was “the only president this century ... that doesn’t have any troops dying anywhere in the world.”  

In 2021, during Biden’s presidency, 13 U.S. service members were killed in a suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan as thousands tried to flee the Taliban’s takeover of the country. 

RFK and third-party candidates absent from the conversation  

Noticeably absent from the CNN stage? Robert F. Kennedy Jr .  

Kennedy didn’t meet the qualifications for the debate, which required candidates to appear on a “sufficient number of state ballots to reach the 270 electoral vote thresholds to win the presidency” and receive at least 15% in four qualifying national polls, according to CNN.  

In a three-way matchup with Biden and Trump, Kennedy receives 10.7% of the vote, according to a Real Clear Politics average of polling .  

Kennedy counterprogrammed the prime-time debate by answering the same questions as Biden and Trump live on a social media stream and on his website. But he remained largely out of sight for most voters on a night that centered on the two major party candidates. 

246 Internet Essay Topics

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• Internet Does More Good Than Harm
• Impact of Internet on Students’ Life
• Life Before the Internet Versus After the Internet
• Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet
• Internet Impact on Modern Culture
• History of the Internet
• The Role of Internet on International Marketing
• The Negative Effect the Internet Has on Society The essay explores how the Internet has negatively influenced culture and its outcomes for the current world. It breaks down all the significant adverse effects.
• Is the Internet «Making Us Stupid?» The global spread of the Internet is raising concerns among the public in the fields of general education and knowledge.
• Evolution of the Internet The complex history of the evolution of the internet involves many aspects such as technological, organizational, social, and political.
• Dangers of the Internet to Children People are so attracted to the internet because of the inability to disclose the identity of the user. This is the main reason that makes the internet so dangerous to kids.
• Benefits of Using the Internet in the Modern World This essay is focusing on the benefits which the worldwide users have been enjoying since they started using the internet, until now when the usage of the internet is advanced.
• The Internet Importance for the Modern World The Internet is a major tool for the integration and rapprochement of human communities, which has undoubtedly affected the change in social thought.
• Impact of Internet on Society The importance of Internet technologies in the life of society cannot be underestimated. Despite some negative aspects, it improves many aspects.
• The Internet and the World Wide Web Concepts The Internet and the World Wide Web play a vital role in everyday life. The Internet contributes to the connection of the computer, and the World Wide Web enables access.
• Impacts of Internet on Print Media and Journalism This essay seeks to elaborate on the impacts of internet on print media and journalism while in the process stating the advantages and disadvantages of both internet and print media.
• My Digital Footprint on the Internet Today, the US companies based on the internet create and store citizens’ personal data, including race, ideology/religion, and sexuality.
• The Internet Impact on the Buying Process The essay will concentrate on the Internet as a global marketplace that impacts how the worldwide network of communication either promotes or limits business interactions.
• Intellectual Property Law and Piracy on the Internet Piracy can be done on various different types of intellectual properties, especially those that can be downloaded from the internet.
• Internet Addiction as a Teenage Issue This paper evaluates Internet addiction as an issue affecting teenagers today and assesses the causes, assessment tools, and support options.
• Research of Dark Side of the Internet The present paper focuses on the overview of the Darknet (Dark Side of the Internet), its purposes, users, and ways to control it.
• The Internet’s Effects on Intelligence in Digital Age The use of the Internet does not make the population stupider. It is the inevitable progress of technology and science that makes people’s lives easier.
• The Various Aspects of Internet Pornography The paper discusses what actually internet pornography is, its effect on our culture, pros and cons and some worth mentioning facts have been mentioned.
• Unethical Behavior: Abuse of Cell Phones and Internet The availability of mobile devices and internet access necessitates organizations to address how their workers use their time at work.
• Necessity of Internet Censorship: Essay Sample Many governments have taken various measures to ensure that they monitor information that is made available to their citizens.
• Internet and Interactive Media as an Advertising Tool There are 2 benefits of the use of the Internet and interactive media as an advertising tool: they are extremely cost-efficient and improve customer interaction and communication.
• The Internet Growth and Problems That It Faced A major factor in the growth of the internet was the development of the World Wide Web. The World Wide Web was invented in 1990 by Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau.
• The Impact of the Internet on Banking The internet and Information Technology has given banks their core objective and that is services towards their customers and at the moment it is bringing forth more valued added products.
• Discussion of Civility on the Internet Civility comes from the Greek word “civilitas”, which means the readiness of people to offer themselves for the benefit of the city.
• The Internet, Its Role and Development This essay will discuss the key roles and events that enabled the establishment and development of the Internet and evaluate its contribution to society.
• The Internet Era’s Impact on Reading The Internet era has decreased the popularity of reading even though people can find an alternative way to consume written information.
• The Rapid Growth of the Internet The digital information revolution and explosion manifest in the ever increasing quantities and array of new electronic information resources.
• The Impact of the Internet on Human Heath Healthcare professionals need to develop prevention and intervention strategies to fight Internet addiction and negative consequences for the physical health.
• Internet in Our Life: Personal Opinion Amazon.com practically dominates the online retail industry with its selection of products and services, the problem with this though is that a crowding-out effect occurs.
• Should We Restrict Internet Usage by Children? The paper examines why there exists a need to filter internet usage by children and suggests ways and means to implement the same.
• How the Internet Changed Academic Paper-Writing Researchers and students use deductive reasoning to break down their concepts and ideas. This process usually revolves around the development and presentation of arguments.
• The Internet in Modern Human Life The Internet in modern human life is not only entertainment, but also a way of obtaining information, knowledge, and the ability to specify the real workplace.
• Negative Effects of Using Cell Phones and the Internet during Social Interactions Reduced communication skills, low-quality conversations, weakened relationship bonds, and mental health issues are among many negative effects.
• How the Internet Transformed Design Fashion By using the Internet, people can shop online and avoid overcrowded shopping malls. It saves time, and people do not get tired while looking for a specific product.
• Impact of the Internet on Society The Internet creates new ways for citizens to communicate, congregate, and share information of social nature. It is obvious that the Internet has and will continue to change the way we live.
• The Internet and the Media The traditional media facilitated the enforcement of laws, which ensured that all released contents remained ethical.
• Internet for Children: Benefits and Threats The paper notes that while there are many advantages of the internet to children, the numerous harms make it unwise to let children access it on their own.
• The Internet in the Modern Educational System The increased access to the Internet made it possible for both teachers and students to be at the forefront of digitalization.
• Freedom of Speech on the Internet The research paper explores freedom of speech, with a specific focus on each person’s right to express their thoughts on the Internet.
• Effects of Social Media and Internet Social scientists focus on social, economic, and political affairs, and social media and the Internet are highly useful.
• The Internet’s Impact on Advertising This research highlights the effects of the Internet on advertising and argues that the Internet has revolutionized advertising due to its flexible and dynamic orientation.
• Modern Internet and Copyright Arguments This paper aims to discuss arguments for and against downloading copyrighted books, music, and software from the Internet.
• The 1974 Copyright Regulations on Internet Videos In 1974 the United States became a member of the convention that safeguarded the procedures of phonograms contrary to unauthorized duplication of their contents.
• The Internet and Interactive Media as a New Advertising Tool Since at present advertising is one of the most active spheres of human activities, the use of the Internet and interactive media in it is ever-increasing.
• E-Commerce: The Utility of Internet Retail The paper states e-commerce has no space restrictions, and websites can carry various products. It helps customers to get what they need.
• Journalism: Impact of the Internet and Technology The internet paved the way for citizen journalism which eradicated censorship and significantly played a part in democratizing power.
• “Dressing for the Internet” by Shumaker et al. The study aims to study clothing as a method of nonverbal online communication but falls short due to its flawed sample and methodology.
• Internet Privacy and Privacy Issues Even though internet connectivity enables many people to interact and share information, privacy issues have remained a big problem for Internet users.
• The Information Transmission Through the Internet The data streaming over the Internet influenced the improvement and invention of the updated media platforms. That opens a wider range of possibilities the live files.
• The Effect of the Internet on Advertisement The internet provides an effective model of injecting efficiency in the advertisement as a component of businesses.
• Effects of the Internet on Society and Individuals The use of the internet is a great resource that is available worldwide. People can connect with their loved ones, receive information, and reach out to the needy ones.
• Pros and Cons of Health-Related Information on the Internet Many people today, whether providers or consumers of healthcare, often turn to the internet for medical advice.
• The Effectiveness of the Internet in Healthcare Healthcare organizations that are making use of the internet to manage their information have received significant attention.
• Internet for Travel Agencies and Tourism Websites The purpose of the project is to address the question of how the Internet affected the travel industry about customer satisfaction and service convenience.
• Saudi Arabia and Internet Censorship The Internet in Saudi Arabia is one of the most restricted, even though this country is one of the biggest economic giants thanks to oil.
• The Use of the Internet to Solve Crimes The paper discusses that the use of the internet in solving crimes has made it easy and convenient for law enforcers to handle criminal cases.
• Internet Usage Around the World The Asian country Macao has a higher percentage of internet users compared to the Czech Republic, even though the European region has more internet access than the Asian one.
• Shifts That May Happen as the Internet Continues to Grow and Expand The Internet can be the innovation that has transformed every industry and individuals’ life. The changes can be seen in technological, business, and society, and development.
• Security for Internet E-Commerce Transactions E-commerce is becoming an important focus to many businesses across the globe because of the accompanying benefits and also because of the need to advance towards modern systems.
• The Internet of Things as the Primary Trend in Telecommunications The purpose of this paper is to give a detailed and critical analysis of the Internet of Things as the current trend in telecommunications.
• How the Internet Challenges Families This paper aims at discussing the effects the Internet has on families through the prism of communication, the desire to compare, and the intentions to find information quickly.
• Music Journalism in the Future Internet Age The advent of the Internet has affected the role of the traditional print music journalist to the extent of raising concerns over the prospects of the field.
• Impact of Internet and Social Media on Influencers The paper states that influencers and the Internet are inseparable elements of the whole. Influencers continue to be an essential part of the modern Internet.
• Are Children Smarter and More Socialized Because of Internet? The article argues today’s children have problems with socialization and intellectual development because of the Internet.
• Government Censorship on the Internet: An Extended Outline This essay argues that while governmental censorship can support the well-being of the nation, it should be applied with increased caution to respect the freedom of speech.
• Body of Knowledge of Internet of Things This paper aims to analyze the Body of Knowledge of Internet of Things, knowledge and application area, and methodology and planning level.
• Applications of the Internet of Things in Business The paper discusses the Internet of Things applications in business, and significantly how the large volumes of data collected can improve business insight and customer experience.
• Impact of the Internet on Mental Health The purpose of this paper is to learn more about the particular positive effects of Internet use on human psychology in the era of the Covid-19.
• The Facets of Globalization in Internet Security This paper aims to outline and define interconnections between Internet security and the process of worldwide integration.
• Internet Sources in Health Education In the article, the author talks about the importance of using the media to improve health literacy of the population.
• Internet Invention: History and Lifestyle Changes It is clear that the world has really come far in terms of inventions. The internet particularly has provided a link between all the continents.
• Internet’ Effects on Journalism The research compares traditional journalism (journalism during the internet blackout era), and modern journalism commonly referred to as citizen journalism.
• The Internet Origins and Commercial Use The emergence of the Internet has facilitated a greater exchange of information between people. As a result, it stimulated the development of e-commerce and trade.
• Cultural Democracy and Internet Imperialism The source helps draw a connection between the conscious domination of cultural niches and its impact on global biases within media.
• The Neuroscience of Internet Addiction Technology firms play a great role in exploiting the neuroscience of internet addiction through marketing, as revealed in the article.
• Internet as a Revolutionary Innovation One of the major discoveries is the Internet, which over 50% of the global population uses on daily basis. The microwave is another technological innovation.
• Internet Censorship: Freedom of Expression in the Arts Many countries have embraced this technology and used it to boost their economies and other aspects of life, including education.
• News on the Internet vs. Traditional Media The credibility of news on the Internet is a topic that often becomes the cause of controversy and even lawsuits against unscrupulous media resources.
• Post-Literate Generation: Is the Internet Making Us Stupid? Many scientists, specifically, Nicholas Carr, believe that limitless access to information has the capacity to damage humanity’s ability to think critically.
• Jurisdictional Standards to Civil Internet Issues The internet has come a long way from a lawless nature to an entity where some laws and guidelines and regulations monitor the way it is utilized.
• Internet Usage Among Small and Medium Enterprises: A Malaysian Perspective The United States and the original European Community members may have pioneered going into the World Wide Web, even invented the basic tools and techniques.
• Rise of Internet and End of Mass Media Audience This paper is an analysis of whether the rise of the internet is the signal of a dramatic end to the traditional ways of communicating.
• Internet and the Radio Industry: Strategic Management The Internet has reformed the way business is done all over the world. The impact the Internet had on the radio industry is that the network would boost the programming variety.
• The All Geeks Company’s Internet Marketing The All Geeks should post content on their website and other channels using some of these powerful words: “free”, “limited”, “easy”, “best”, and “exclusive.”
• Internet Technology: Creating a Website This paper is set to explain the way the internet has changed lives and its effect on the pace at which businesses are conducted all over the world today.
• The Concept of Internet Memes A sarcastic use of virtually harmless memes, idols, and mascots such as Pepe the Frog or Gritty is a vivid illustration of such trend for non-verbal abuse of certain public.
• Ramifications of the Internet The Internet is useful, and it possesses great advantages because a person can discover a lot of new opportunities for oneself, which can make his/her dreams come true, and become more knowledgeable and informed.
• Musical Culture and Internet Influence Music is the most ancient and common in human culture. It is characterized as an art form that reflects reality in sounds, artistic images and actively influences the human psyche.
• Internet Marketing Strategies and Consumer Behavior Interactive discussions enable consumers to find information from experienced clients and this captures more attention towards evaluation and making decisions over alternatives.
• The Internet of Things (IoT) and Healthcare The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that defines the way objects (things) can be connected to the Internet, which provides them with the capability to transmit information.
• Amazon vs. Walmart: Internet in the Retail Industry This paper discusses the recent development of retail through the main aspects of Porter’s Five Forces analysis and the growth of Amazon and Walmart.
• Internet Privacy Policy at the Workplace This paper discusses the concept of monitoring the use of the internet, email, and other privacy issues at work and the current laws regulating employee privacy.
• What Feminist Theory Teaches Us About the Internet? This study examines the article that speculates upon the increasing sexism that currently dominates online spaces, and the ability of feminist theory to change this situation.
• How the Internet Changed the Way People Think? Some parts of the Internet have become so inseparable from people’s existence that the Internet affects the way people think.
• Education: Internet Courses Versus Traditional Courses This paper argues that internet courses are better and more effective than traditional college courses since the internet education platform is more affordable.
• Networks and the Internet Tools This research paper examines various types of networks, a range of the Internet tools, and the Internet activism.
• Legal Regulation of the Internet The question of the responsibility of Internet providers to society for the content of their messages is quite acute.
• Muted Generation or How Internet Changes the Way We Live The daily use of devices is addictive, and given the long time spent daily interacting with technology, the Internet can shape our personality, mental state, and lifestyle.
• Internet-of-Things in the Military and Its Feasibility This paper provides an analysis of the Internet of Military Things functions and a description of its feasibility in the future and its associated costs.
• Regulating Internet Privacy and Related Issues Internet privacy subjects cover all the concerns about the information collected by the website operators and by spying soft wares.
• Issues on Internet: Privacy and Freedom of Speech Two of the issues, namely, privacy and freedom of speech with regards to the Internet have been discussed in this article.
• Why the Internet Is Killing Us The Internet is killing humanity because of the colossal scale of hatred and the same number of channels through which it is transmitted.
• Internet Communications and Media Internet communication gives us a fling like real communication. Chatting, videoconference, etc. are promoting the virtual culture in this world.
• Internet and Education Interconnection The Internet promoted the globalization of world education, made the latest scientific achievements available for students and tutors. Internet is the whole world for learning.
• Internet Age and Its Influence on a Public Self The Internet age has brought forth a significant change in social interactions and personal connections. This phenomenon created both numerous advantages and challenges.
• Role of Internet in Internet Addiction This paper will use qualitative data to analyze the role of the web in digital media addiction amid the young people. The paper will begin with a literature review of internet addiction.
• Web Evlauation – Website of the Internet Mental Health Organization We chose the website of the Internet Mental Health Organization. This website is dedicated to all the individuals in society, trying to inform them regarding mental health disorders.
• Benefits and Problems of Internet-Enabled Flexible Working Arrangement Computers and the Internet, at large, have specifically changed the face of modern jobs since they facilitate communication between employees and the company from remote locations.
• The Internet of Things Aids Waste Management The use of unique cards and audio and photo identification allows the configuration of access parameters and limits the possibilities of data leakage.
• Internet-Based Business Models as Positive Innovation The platform business model is more of a positive innovation than a negative one. With it, owners reduce risk, can grow quickly, and can provide a complete service to the consumer.
• The Internet of Things Privacy Issues in Business Avital’s article “The Transformative Effect of the Internet of Things on Business and Society” delves into how the IoT has changed the business world.
• The Segment of the Internet of Things The paper states that the segment of the Internet of Things has been developing rapidly, which is why much of the research has been focused on this topic.
• The Internet Experience in the Learning Process The Internet is an integral part of people’s lives. With the advent of this technology, individuals have gained access to a large amount of knowledge and opportunities.
• The Internet of Things Devices and Security Issues The Internet of Things devices are very insecure, and their security is not up to the mark. Many risks are associated with it, which can impact the company’s functioning.
• The Internet’s Effect on Education and Students’ Literacy While some claim it gives students a broader learning option, others believe it cannot replace the possibility of writing on physical paper and reading from paper books.
• Internet of Things, Digital Servitization and Business Performance The Internet of Things refers to an integrated system built of hardware and software components that is used to facilitate communication and data sharing.
• Internet Search and Personal Information The sources that provide information about a person are discussed. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are among the most popular social media.
• The Internet Role in Human Trafficking This essay will argue that the problem of Internet use for human trafficking is unsolvable because there are not enough ways to control these processes.
• The Internet on Guard of the State Regime To subjugate freedom of speech on the Internet, censors use several techniques, such as focusing on a local incident and actively using innovative technologies.
• The Internet Censorship Problem from Various Viewpoints Although online communications are still relatively free of censorship in the form of legal restrictions, more people argue that interactions on the internet should be regulated.
• Internet Technology: Software Maintenance and Evolution More and more organizations depend on trends in the IT market. Now one can see how even small companies hire employees who can create a website.
• The Internet Evolution and Advancement Since its creation, the Internet has changed humanity’s trajectory. All aspects of people’s lives, from business to social interactions, are now shaped by the World Wide Web.
• The Internet and Technology Negative Effects This article forms a good understanding of the influence technology has on the human brain and draws a pessimistic conclusion on its future trajectory.
• How the Internet and Digital Culture Have Changed Language in Canada In Canada, digital platforms have ingrained a contemporary lifestyle in communication, influenced by new shortened twists of phrases and keystrokes, acronyms, effective emoticons.
• Does the Internet Negatively Impact People’s Brains? The current paper indicates that the Internet cannot negatively influence people’s smartness and concentration unless they allow it to do so.
• Aspects of Internet Neutrality The paper discusses internet neutrality. It is a set of laws that prevents Internet service providers to block access to specific sites.
• Importance of Internet of Things Security The new peer-to-peer botnet referred to as Mozi, has a relation to Gafgyt malware, uses a DHT protocol and spreads by abusing Telnet passwords and target networking devices.
• The Problem of the “Technological Bondage”: The Internet Addiction Psychologists compare Internet addiction, which appeared with the development of the Internet, with alco- and drug dependency.
• The Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act This research paper discusses the Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act and what it means for the public and the government.
• Programming: Correlates of Internet Addiction in Turkish Adolescents Variable gender respondent, labeled Q101 in the data set, is a nominal variable that measures the type of response that the researcher is recording.
• How Has the Internet Changed the Recording Industry? Music as a business has been most thoroughly affected by the development of the Internet, as the physical medium (CDs) disappeared.
• What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains Reading printed text existed long before the internet text. With the coming of the internet, many people have been at crossroads when it comes to choosing a better text to read.
• The Internet Impact on Social Reality The debate space between cyber-optimists and cyber-pessimists is disputing how the Internet can change social reality.
• Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet and Mailed Surveys Internet surveys have advantages and disadvantages, but in modern times companies are still inclined to choose Internet surveys rather than regular mail.
• Terrorism: Radicalization and the Internet The current paper examines the main causes and types of radicalism, as well as what role the Internet plays in the hands of terrorists.
• A Plan for Internet Pedophile Investigation This paper aims to develop a plan to investigate and capture criminals who engage in online pedophilia to protect children.
• Online Radicalization on the Internet The internet is a wide platform for communication and other activities. Radical beliefs take root online and spread to vulnerable demographics.
• Harm From Social Networks and Internet Usage Social networks bring more harm than benefits and cause damage, not benefit to relationships, communication skills, and life quality.
• Internet Recruiting: Stages and Benefits
• Assigning IP (Internet Protocol) Addresses to People
• The Internet of Things: Echo Product
• The Internet of Things in Transportation Management
• Sources Credibility in Internet Information About Stem Cells Research
• Quality of Service in the Voice Over Internet Protocol
• Massive Internet Outage Hits Websites Including Amazon, gov.UK and Guardian
• The Internet of Things (IoT) as Used by Smart Cities in Response to COVID-19
• Passwords and Their Role in the Internet Security
• Impact of the Internet on Consumers’ Opportunities
• Social Media and Internet Advertising for Brand’s Success
• Phorm Fires Privacy Row for Internet Service Providers
• Applying Internet Laws and Regulations to Educational Technology
• The Internet: The Roles of The Private Sector and The Government
• The Rise of Depression in the Era of the Internet
• Transmission Control Protocol-Internet Protocol Ensuring Communication
• Internet of Things in Manufacturing System
• Internet Privacy and Internet Frontier
• Internet Blogging Problems: Warman Versus Lemire Case
• Concepts of Current Chinese Internet Culture
• Treasure Trove or Trash: The Internet and Its Ability to Enact Social Change
• Internet Communication Engineering
• Patient Guide to the Internet
• The World Wide Web and the Internet Issues
• Self-Control and Rational Choice in Internet Abuses at Work
• A Patient’s Guide Through www.: Surfing Through the Internet
• Net Neutrality – A Free Internet
• Internet Selling of Items of Crafts Business
• Management Information Systems: Internet and Intranet
• Biometrics in Regards to Computer and Internet Security
• Voice Over Internet Protocol: Technology Introduction
• Facts From Fiction and From the Internet
• Tom.com: Strategic Analysis of an Asian Internet Company
• White Power Never Disappeared: Supremacists in the Internet

🎓 Most Interesting Internet Research Titles

• Voice Over Internet Protocol Description
• Internet Addiction Affect on Person Normal Functioning
• COVID-19 Internet Slang Development
• Effect of Internet in the Gambling Sector
• Internet Penetration Policy and Its Implications in UAE
• How the Internet Reconditioned Business Thinking
• Internet Filtering in the UAE
• The Relations Between Internet and Culture Uniformity
• Privacy Protection on the Internet
• Migration Health and Internet Use in Organizations
• The Benefits & Drawbacks of the Internet
• Internet Effect on Different Cultures
• D&D London Restaurant Company: Internet Strategy
• A Comprehensive Analysis of Pornography on the Internet
• Internet Social Group Analysis
• India: Country Studies. Internet Data Collection
• The Protection of Internet Users in the US
• Cyber Surveillance and Privacy of Internet Users
• Child Pornography and Subcultural Norms on the Internet
• Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and the Impact on Facilities’ Environments
• Transparency in Government Services Through Internet Media
• Internet and Its Influence on Modern Society
• Activism and Extremism in the Internet
• Internet of Things in Global Transportation System
• Consumer Behaviour: Internet and Interactive Media Usage
• Role of the Internet in Political Campaigns
• Internet Censorship: Classified Information Leaks
• Complex Internet Security: Approaches to Protecting Private Information
• Marketing Campaign, Brand Strategy and Internet
• Internet-Based Psychotherapy as an Innovative Tool
• Ocado Internet Shop and Its Features
• Big Data and Internet of Things Correlation
• Transparency of Services: Social Media and the Internet Usage
• Pandora Internet Radio and Unprofitable Clients
• The Internet and Ethical Debate on Information Privacy
• Cisco Company’s Internet Practices and Market Share
• Violating Privacy on the Internet Is Morally Wrong
• The Internet of Things: Perspectives and Challenges
• Are Children Smarter Because of the Internet?
• Are Parents Clueless About Child Predators on the Internet?
• What Is Causing Internet Issues?
• Can the Business Use of Internet Technologies Help a Company Gain a Competitive Advantage?
• Should Public Libraries Filter Internet Sites?
• Does Computers and the Internet Help Students Learn?
• Does the Internet Affect Today’s Children for Good or Bad?
• How Do You Check if the Internet Is Down in Your Area?
• Does the Internet Increase Crime?
• Does the Internet Have Psychological Benefits?
• What Are Ten Advantages of the Internet?
• Does the Internet Hinder Human Interactions?
• What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet for Students?
• What Is the Brief History of thre Internet?
• What Is the Importance of the Internet?
• How Does Internet Marketing Communication Differ From Traditional Marketing Communication?
• How Do Software Applications Influence the Internet?
• What Is the Impact of the Internet in Our Life?
• Why the Internet Is the Greatest Invention?
• How Does the Internet Aid Communication?
• How Has the Internet Impacted Society?
• Who Invented the Real Internet?
• What Was the First Thing on the Internet?
• What Is the First Email Word Sent Through the Internet?
• Can Internet Enhance Social Capital Among Its Users?
• How the Internet Is Useful in Research?
• Should the Internet Service Providers Be Allowed to Ban Extremist Content?
• What Are Three Things Needed to Connect to the Internet?
• Should Purchase Made Over the Internet Be Taxable?
• What File Format Is Used for the Internet?

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StudyCorgi. (2021, September 9). 246 Internet Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/internet-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "246 Internet Essay Topics." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/internet-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2021. "246 Internet Essay Topics." September 9, 2021. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/internet-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Internet were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on June 23, 2024 .

2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV earns Top Safety Pick+ award

2024 Mazda CX-90 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ results

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The 2024 Mazda CX-90 three-row crossover SUV has earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ award in plug-in hybrid form.

Top Safety Pick+ is the IIHS' highest safety award. To qualify for it, vehicles must achieve the highest "Good" rating in the small overlap front and updated side crash tests, as well as a "Good" or "Acceptable" rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.

In addition to the requisite crash-test scores, the Top Safety Pick+ award calls for an "Acceptable" or "Good" rating in the IIHS' pedestrian front-crash prevention test and "Acceptable" or "Good"-rated headlights across all trim levels.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid earned the higher "Good" rating in the updated moderate overlap front test to clinch the Top Safety Pick+ award. The vehicle's structure held up well, and measurements taken from driver and rear-passenger crash-test dummies didn't indicate any heightened risk of injuries, according to an IIHS press release.

The CX-90 plug-in hybrid's standard front-crash prevention system also earned a "Good" rating, while all trim levels are equipped with LED headlights rated "Acceptable."

Nearly every Mazda vehicle tested has earned a 2024 Top Safety Pick , joining Genesis and Subaru for having the majority of its lineup earn the honors. 

2024 Mazda CX-90

New for the 2024 model year, the CX-90 introduces a new platform and clean-sheet powertrains. It's the first Mazda plug-in hybrid , combining a 2.5-liter inline-4 with an electric motor integrated with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 17.8-kwh battery pack is mounted under the seats just aft of the second row, stretching under the third row. Total system output is 323 hp 369 lb-ft of torque, but electric range still hasn't been confirmed by the EPA.

Mazda also offers the CX-90 with a 3.3-liter turbocharged inline-6 and 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The inline-6 produces 280 hp and 332 lb-ft or 340 hp and 369 lb-ft, depending on the trim level. A two-row version, badged as the Mazda CX-70 , also launched for the 2025 model year.

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The Most Successful Approaches to Leading Organizational Change

• Deborah Rowland,
• Michael Thorley,
• Nicole Brauckmann

A closer look at four distinct ways to drive transformation.

When tasked with implementing large-scale organizational change, leaders often give too much attention to the what of change — such as a new organization strategy, operating model or acquisition integration — not the how — the particular way they will approach such changes. Such inattention to the how comes with the major risk that old routines will be used to get to new places. Any unquestioned, “default” approach to change may lead to a lot of busy action, but not genuine system transformation. Through their practice and research, the authors have identified the optimal ways to conceive, design, and implement successful organizational change.

Management of long-term, complex, large-scale change has a reputation of not delivering the anticipated benefits. A primary reason for this is that leaders generally fail to consider how to approach change in a way that matches their intent.

• Deborah Rowland is the co-author of  Sustaining Change: Leadership That Works , Still Moving: How to Lead Mindful Change , and the Still Moving Field Guide: Change Vitality at Your Fingertips . She has personally led change at Shell, Gucci Group, BBC Worldwide, and PepsiCo and pioneered original research in the field, accepted as a paper at the 2016 Academy of Management and the 2019 European Academy of Management. Thinkers50 Radar named as one of the generation of management thinkers changing the world of business in 2017, and she’s on the 2021 HR Most Influential Thinker list. She is Cambridge University 1st Class Archaeology & Anthropology Graduate.
• Michael Thorley is a qualified accountant, psychotherapist, executive psychological coach, and coach supervisor integrating all modalities to create a unique approach. Combining his extensive experience of running P&L accounts and developing approaches that combine “hard”-edged and “softer”-edged management approaches, he works as a non-executive director and advisor to many different organizations across the world that wish to generate a new perspective on change.
• Nicole Brauckmann focuses on helping organizations and individuals create the conditions for successful emergent change to unfold. As an executive and consultant, she has worked to deliver large-scale complex change across different industries, including energy, engineering, financial services, media, and not-for profit. She holds a PhD at Faculty of Philosophy, Westfaelische Wilhelms University Muenster and spent several years on academic research and teaching at University of San Diego Business School.

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• Rural Areas and the Internet

Table of Contents

• Part 1. Rural Internet Access: Deployment and Availability
• Part 2. Rural Internet Demographics: Who’s Online?
• Part 3. The Activities Rural Internet Users Pursue
• Part 4. Rural Attitudes Toward the Internet
• Methodology

Rural Americans’ Internet use has grown, but they continue to lag behind others

Internet penetration has grown in rural communities, but the gap between them and suburban and urban communities has remained constant over time.

Historically, Internet penetration rates have been lower in rural areas than in other kinds of communities. When the Pew Internet & American Life Project first began surveying the Internet landscape in early 2000, 41% of rural residents were online, while 51% of urban residents and 55% of suburban residents were online. Rural Internet penetration climbed to 52% by the middle of 2003. However, urban and suburban penetration rates have risen as well. Rural Internet penetration has remained roughly 10 percentage points behind the national average in each of the last four years. 

The Project found in survey data collected between March and August 2003, suburban and urban residents remain more likely to use the Internet:

• 67% of urban residents use the Internet.
• 66% of suburban residents use the Internet.
• 52% of rural residents use the Internet.

Community type: Respondents are categorized as “rural” if they reside in a non-metropolitan statistical area (MSA) county. Respondents are categorized as “suburban” if they reside in any portion of an MSA county that is not in a central city. Respondents are categorized as “urban” if they reside within a central city of an MSA.

Statistical analysis that examines the principal drivers for Internet penetration suggests that some differences in Internet adoption between rural areas and other locales are driven by patterns among low-income rural individuals.  Living in a rural area in itself has little or no influence as to whether one goes online.  However, low-income people in rural areas are less likely to be online than low-income people living in urban or suburban areas.  Middle and upper income people in both rural and other areas are equally likely to be Internet users.  At the same time, some of the gap between rural areas and the rest of the country can be explained by other demographic realities such as the fact that rural residents as a group are older, less wealthy, and have lower levels of educational attainment than those in urban and suburban areas.

Rural Americans are older and less wealthy than those in other parts of America and that may account for some of the difference in Internet penetration between community types.

Senior citizens (those 65 and older) account for a relatively larger percentage of the rural population (22%) compared to the urban (14%) and suburban populations (16%). In rural areas, seniors are unlikely to go online. Only about 17% of rural seniors go online, making up about 6% of rural Internet users. Meanwhile, rural areas hold comparatively fewer young adults, the most likely age group to go online. The age of the rural population may be one major reason why penetration rates are lower in rural communities.

It is also true that Internet use increases with household income. Some 47% of rural residents have household incomes of $30,000 or less, compared to 29% of suburban residents and 39% of urban residents. This is another possible reason why the number of Internet users among rural residents lags the situation in the suburbs and cities. 

Another factor in lower Internet penetration may be that many rural residents say they have less choice than others about the way they access the Internet.

About 29% of rural Internet users say the Internet Service Provider they use is the only one available to them.  In contrast, 7% of urban users reported a single ISP, and about 9% of suburban users were serviced by a lone ISP.

Rural communities hold larger portions of relative Internet newcomers than do urban and suburban communities. Yet rural Americans are often enthusiastic adopters.

About 20% of rural Internet users — more than 4 million people — have been online less than three years. In comparison, 16% of urban users have less than three years online, and 12% of suburban users have less than three years online. Unlike other newcomers to the Internet, many rural residents are enthusiastic users of the Internet at an early stage in their adoption of the technology: 45% of rural newcomers go online daily, whereas 40% of urban newcomers and 46% of suburban newcomers go online daily.

Broadband adoption is growing in urban, suburban, and rural areas, but broadband users make up larger percentages of urban and suburban users than rural users.

From 2000 through 2003, the use of cable modems, DSL connections, and other broadband connections grew quickly in each community type, but rural areas hold significantly smaller proportion of broadband users. In a survey in the spring of 2003, we found that 31% of those who use the Internet from home had a broadband connection. Here is the big picture about broadband adoption in different community types from 2000 to mid-2003:

• In urban communities, the number of home broadband users grew from 8% to 36% of the online population.
• In suburban communities, the number of home broadband users grew from 7% to 32% of the online population.
• In rural communities, the number of home broadband users grew from 3% to 19% of the online population.

Additionally, in October 2002, about 25% of rural Internet users said they did not think that a high-speed connection to their home was available. Only 5% of urban users and 10% of suburban Internet users said broadband is unavailable.

A portion of rural Internet users depend on Internet connections at places other than work or home. They are more likely than suburban or urban users to say they depend on another place for going online.

Some 22% of Internet users say they go online from at least one other place besides work or home. In some cases, though not most, the people who go online in a third place depend on that connection as their exclusive point of access. Some 8% of rural users say they only log on to the Internet from some place other than work or home, such as a library, a school, or a friend’s house. Just 3% of suburban users do and 5% of urban users depend on some place other than work or home for their Internet connection.

Rural African-Americans are significantly less likely than rural whites to go online, possibly because of differences in income and education.

There is a large gap between rural African-Americans and rural whites. While 54% of rural whites go online, 31% of rural African-Americans do so. This disparity can probably be traced to income and education. Over 70% of rural African-Americans live in households with incomes under $30,000 a year, compared to 44% of rural whites. 

Rural users pursue many of the same online activities as urban and suburban users, but they are more likely to look for religious or spiritual information and less likely to engage in transactions.

While the differences are not gaping, rural users are less likely than urban and suburban users to have bought a product online, made a travel reservation, or done their banking online. Even rural users who have been online a few years or more are still less likely to have ever performed transactions over the Web than their urban and suburban counterparts.

Compared to their urban and suburban counterparts, rural users:

• Are less likely to bank online — 28% bank online, while 35% of urban users and 35% of suburban users bank online.
• Are less likely to have bought a product online — 57% have done so, while 63% of suburban users and 61% of urban users have bought a product online.
• Are less likely to have made a travel reservation online — 49% have done so, while 58% of suburban users and 60% of urban users have made a travel reservation online.

Meanwhile, rural users are more likely than their counterparts to search for religious or spiritual information. Some 35% of online rural Americans have sought religious and spiritual information online, compared to 27% of those who live outside rural areas. Among rural users, gathering religious or spiritual information is more popular than banking online (28%), looking for a place to live (26%), and downloading music (26% in June 2003; 13% in November-December 2003). Rural users with three years or more online are more likely than others to seek health information online. Almost three-quarters of experienced rural users have done so, while 68% of similarly experienced suburban users and 64% of similarly experienced urban users have sought health information online.

Rural Internet newcomers are wary of technology, but those with experience embrace it.

Rural newcomers are more likely to hold mixed feelings about computers and technology than are urban and suburban newcomers. Fully half of rural residents say that they hold “mixed feelings” toward computers and technology, whereas 32% of urban users say this and 27% of suburban users say this. But rural users with some experience with the technologies are more likely than others to say they like them.

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