Ever since the onset of the internet, our methods of communication and socialization have forever been changed. The internet enables us to communicate with anyone anywhere, whenever we choose. It is now easier to formalize and retain relationships and friendships as well as share our life’s moments and events.
Socialization across the internet revolves around the various quirks and languages that people have developed through the years. The internet has become a source for millions of people from innumerable countries hailing from different backgrounds to connect. The internet itself has become a new, modern shared language and culture in itself.
The Internet offers various platforms for socializing and one-to-one communication. Email is a prominent example of formal and informal communication. Instant messaging happens to be a newer version offering more comfort and ease. Likewise, video calling has introduced a faster, more vivid, interactive experience. With the evolving technology, software development, and software upgrades, newer and better ways to communicate online are being introduced. Elements of interaction include texts with words, sharing visual media, private messaging even video calling.
Benefits of the Internet and Social Networking
Upholding Old Friendships at Length
Thanks to the internet and online social networking, people can maintain friendships for much longer and through every diversity. Whether someone has shifted across the country, to a different country altogether, is unable to meet you face to face, or an old childhood friend you lost touch with.
The platforms on the internet have managed to make it feasible for friends and family to share their feelings, memories, important events, and news without even having to meet in real life. This has helped shatter geographical hurdles and time limits that might have contributed to an end to these bonds.
Forming New Bonds and Friendships
Relationships can not only be maintained but created as well, thanks to social networking. Social media platforms such as email, instant messaging, and online dating sites introduce people to similar-minded people with common interests. Nowadays, most people credit online dating sites and matchmakers to finding their dream person.
Furthermore, finding professional matchmakershas become quite easy due to the Internet. The ease of conversing and getting to form a relationship online purely through text before committing can be more efficient for most people. The Internet can connect people who may not have otherwise met due to geographical distances or cultural differences.
Sharing Content and Knowledge
Thanks to social networking sites, people across all walks of life can share news, events, articles, and general contentefficiently. From memorable events, pictures, and videos of shared memories, news articles, blogs, and songs. Step by step guides, tips regarding different aspects of life, blurbs from self-help books; the internet enable users to share content and knowledge of various genres and uses to millions of others, and it’s all at the tips of their fingertips.
Receiving Encouragement and Inspiration
The web as a whole has made it easier for people to join hands – or devices in this case – and rally around a cause or movement. Certified emotional support groups for people struggling with depression and mental health problems are available online. Therapy and counseling are now easier to access, more so for people who don’t prefer meeting face to face or leaving the comfort of their houses due to anxiety. Charities, funding events, and tragedies can be highlighted on social platforms and garner a lot of attention within minutes, thanks to the ease of sharing.
Helping organizations or charities raise money for a good cause is now easier due to online banking. Fast-paced news raising attention for world crises and garnering support has helped countless people through difficult times. A global outreach that focuses on helping fellow human beings can be an amazing way to utilize social media.
Bonding Through a Common Interest
The internet is encompassed by its own culture and subculture of jokes and memes. A meme nowadays can be created merely by sharing a video or picture. It has become a reference point for users and offers a new shared form of entertainment and fun. Regardless of the language they speak or their background, people all across the world can understand those shared references and jokes.
It is a force that combines us all, like movies and music. It can unite vastly different people. People cherish and love these forms of entertainment, and it has become a crutch for people nowadays. Thus, the internet has helped remove a lot of language and distance barriers and made us all a little closer.
