Basically, the internet was just a tool but through the last two decades it became more than that. Nowadays it is a way of life for thousands of people whatever their age or their nationality is. During the last twenty years the internet spread from casual and professional users to teenagers, housewives or retired people so that a world wide web now links millions of people with eclectic backgrounds. If this evolution became a real revolution of our lifestyle, many debates arise about this change on people's behaviour and especially children and teenagers and their growth. As regards e-marketers, it is relevant to understand how the society is changing through the online communication and to take part in the discussion.
The penetration of the internet in the lifestyle of many generations has multiple consequences. Nowadays, many people grew up with the internet so that they state they could not live without it anymore. It resulted in a change of the way of thinking of these generations. Indeed, people now tend to consider that the internet determines the landmarks of the society whether they are aware of it or not.Dr Aleks Krotoski took the example of Facebook and the meaning of friendship. She states that Facebook changed people's thoughts about the concept of friendship such as anyone with an internet connection in the world can be considered as a potential friend. This is indeed a major change of the society. Ten years ago, friendship would have probably had a much stronger meaning. Nowadays, clicking on “friend request” is enough to make a new friend. But the internet modified this definition and increased for example the risk of being abused by people, yet considered as friends.
It is interesting to make a new friend through Facebook because it enables to see what those people are thinking, doing or making by following their status. However, what if someone does not want to broadcast their profile or status to public? What should they do? Some of Facebook members though they are losing privacy by updating their status through News Feed do complain about this issue.
The internet has other effects on people. One of them is the possibility to distract our brain. Research states the human brain needs to be distracted and this need can probably be exhaustively fulfilled through the internet. The internet is so rich that people's intellectual skills can end up shrinking. Indeed, studies state that people get used to being distracted by the content on the internet such as the person starts to develop an inability to concentrate.
If this is true as regards everyday's task, it also has another negative effect on the concentration. Indeed, the internet can potentially pull people in its virtual world so that they cannot concentrate on their real life. If it affects people with social networks websites, it also concerns films and series using streaming videos technology. However, it seems it reaches its full potential with online video games and especially MMO games which benefit from large communities.
In Korea, Aleks Krotoski found out the new generation spends about eighteen hours per day online, and reflects these people have difficulties to focus on their real life. Eight per cent of them need medication to cure the bad symptoms from using a computer and ten per cent of them need to go to the hospital.
On the other hand, the Internet connection also brings young generation to different interests like politics issue. After Barack Obama showed up, many young people started to care about the politics issues which they were ignoring before. Through internet, people can actually see what politicians do or think at a level we never imagined before.
To conclude, the Homo Interneticus is more than a new designation to describe a type of people. It is a phenomenon which grew up massively in a few years so that it became the core of the lifestyle of modern society. With this evolution of people's behaviour, it can be assumed that both advantages and drawbacks appear. But further than benefits and loss is the change. The internet brought both solutions and issues but maybe the spread of different lifestyles is also part of the debate. Cultures, generations, social background, all these aspects end up in a confrontation to protect the value and the way of life of everyone. In the end, who can state for good whether Home Interneticus is the right step towards future or just an abomination? Maybe it would be relevant to study how to match this revolution with lessons form the past.Documentary film:
These videos are the basis of the study on how the internet evolved in the society. Indeed, Ms. Alex Krotoski explains the importance that the internet has nowadays in everyday's life. Many aspects of the internet is covered such as social networks and the new perceptions on life it brought with its rise. Another point approached is the impact on the way of thinking of younger generations compared to older generations since people who are used to going on the internet suffers concentration issues.
On the other hand, the video also presents benefits brought by this new lifestyle. Indeed, Alex Krotoski explains that new generations tend to be more creative and are more attracted by political issues such as their involvement increases. In addition, a South Korean study shows that children raised with the internet understand math easier than other children.
The videos presents many examples whether it relies on international cultures such as South Korea, or comparison of generations, interviews, studies and websites that people are familiar with.
On the other hand, the video also presents benefits brought by this new lifestyle. Indeed, Alex Krotoski explains that new generations tend to be more creative and are more attracted by political issues such as their involvement increases. In addition, a South Korean study shows that children raised with the internet understand math easier than other children.
The videos presents many examples whether it relies on international cultures such as South Korea, or comparison of generations, interviews, studies and websites that people are familiar with.
