Introduction
One of the major and most revolutionary innovations in the history of humans, the Internet, has completely changed the way we communicate, live, and work. The pros and cons of the internet platform, particularly in the era of online communication and social media, are still up for dispute. With a particular emphasis on current events, this essay will examine how the internet platform has changed the society of American (De Paor, 2020). We can better grasp how the internet platform has altered how we are living and see the globe around us by looking at its effects on social movements, political campaigns, news consumption, historical documentation, and social interaction.
American History and the Internet
The United States’ history has been significantly and effectively impacted by the internet platform, notably in the period area of politics. Social media was successfully used by Obama’s Barack campaign in the year 2008 to rally supporters and connect with a younger, tech-savvy audience. Similarly to this, Trump’s Donald successful utilization of Twitter during the 2016 campaign allowed him to bypass conventional media outlets and speak directly to his supporters.
In addition to politics, social movements have recently benefited greatly from the Internet. For instance, the movement of Black Lives Matter made extensive use of social media to plan demonstrations, spread news, and raise awareness of instances of police brutality. Similar to this, the #MeToo campaign got significant exposure thanks to social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, enabling victims of harassment and sexual assault to tell their tales and demand justice.
The Internet has had a big impact on historical documentation as well, making it easier than ever to access online archives and primary materials. Online communities, with forums and blogs devoted to certain topics and events, have evolved as significant hubs for the preservation and dissemination of historical knowledge (Andersson, 2022). As a result, historical knowledge has become more widely available, and people are now able to contribute to our comprehension of the past. All things considered, the Internet has had a significant influence on how we interact with politics, historical documentation, and social movements, allowing for more accessibility and engagement.
Modifying How We Access News and Information
The way we get news and gather information has been profoundly altered by the Internet, and conventional media institutions now face formidable obstacles as a result. The development of online platform news sources, which give subscribers users with a higher level amount of involvement and customization, has coincided with the loss of print media (De Paor, 2020). The consumption of news has also been significantly influenced by social media platforms, with many people turning to their feeds on social media as their main source of news.
But there are also huge problems with the Internet’s platform’s ability to spread false, inaccurate, and misleading information. Online conspiracy theories and false news articles can spread quickly and effortlessly, frequently reaching enormous audiences prior to being verified or refuted. This seriously compromises the honesty of public discourse and makes it more challenging for people to decide on crucial topics in the best interests of their own welfare. An ongoing challenge combating disinformation and misinformation online calls for a multifaceted strategy that incorporates fact-checking, media literacy training, and ethical platform management. Although the Internet has changed how we receive news and acquire information, it also makes us more watchful and critical information consumers.
The Effect of Social Interaction on the Internet
The emergence of online communities and social media has significantly changed how we communicate with one another. On the one hand, social internet networks give individuals from all over the globe a way to communicate and exchange information and data with each other that was before unthinkable. Online communities can also give those who might not have access to similar communities and society in their physical existence lives a sense of community and support. Social media has adverse effects on both interpersonal connections and mental health, though. Social media can foster irrational comparisons and expectations, which can cause feelings and anxiety of inadequacy. Social media can also aid in the spread of cyberbullying and harassment, both of which have detrimental effects on mental health.
Despite these difficulties, the Internet has significantly democratized communication. Citizen journalism and Online activism have made it feasible for people and groups to mobilize and exchange information in previously impractical ways, giving the voices of the oppressed a forum. Online communities can also help people from different backgrounds relate and learn from one another by bridging cultural and geographic barriers (DiResta, 2019).In general, the internet platform has had a significant impact on social contact, providing both advantages and difficulties that want continuing examination.
Summary
In conclusion, the internet platform has fundamentally altered how we live and perceive historical events, as well as how we obtain information, data, and news and connect with one another. Recent American history offers a prism through which to see these changes. This article has looked at how the Internet has affected social interaction, how we receive information and news, and the history of American. The article has specifically talked about how the Internet is used in social movements, political campaigns, and historical research.
It is crucial to acknowledge both the advantages and difficulties presented by the internet platform as we continue to debate its influence on American society. While the Internet has given people access to never-before-seen levels of communication, connection, and information sharing, it has also presented significant problems in the form of the dissemination of false information, privacy erosion, and the effects on relationships and mental health. In the future, it will be crucial to create plans to deal with these issues while maximizing the Internet’s enormous potential to advance social connect and progress people and communities worldwide.
References
Andersson, Gerhard. “Internet-delivered psychological treatments for tinnitus: A brief historical review.” American Journal of Audiology 31.3S (2022): 1013–1018.
DiResta, Renee, et al. “The tactics & tropes of the Internet Research Agency.” (2019).
De Paor, Saoirse, and Bahareh Heravi. “Information literacy and fake news: How the field of librarianship can help combat the epidemic of fake news.” The Journal of Academic Librarianship 46.5 (2020): 102218.
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