APPLICATIONS OF INTERNET

Lo: understand various applications of the Internet.

Applications of Internet have revolutionized the way we live, work, learn, and communicate. The
applications of the internet are vast, changing how we do everything from shopping and banking to
entertainment and business.
Below is some of the applications of the internet and how they impact our daily lives.

1. Communication
Email was one of the earliest internet applications, allowing virtually instant communication worldwide.
Video calling services like Skype and FaceTime have made it possible to communicate face-to-face over
the Internet. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger allow instant messaging, while
social networks like Facebook and Twitter enable public conversations.
The proliferation of internet-based communication tools has made the world feel smaller and more
connected. Family and friends across the globe can easily stay in touch through messaging and video
chat. Businesses use email and video conferencing to communicate with teams and clients worldwide
without the need for expensive long-distance charges.

2. Web Browsing & Information Access

One of the primary uses of the internet is accessing information through web browsers like Chrome,
Firefox and Safari. The internet provides endless amounts of information that can be accessed
immediately from almost anywhere with an internet connection. People routinely use web browsing to
access news, research topics of interest, learn new skills through educational sites like Khan Academy,
read reviews before purchasing a product, get driving directions, and more.
Web browsing has made information easily accessible and available to Applications of internet users
around the globe. Having the bulk of human knowledge at one’s fingertips has accelerated learning and
enabled discoveries.

3. Online Shopping
Ecommerce sites like Amazon and eBay have transformed how consumers purchase everything from
clothing to furniture. Online shopping provides unparalleled access to goods and services that may not be
available locally. It also allows consumers to easily compare prices between multiple retailers through
sites like Google Shopping.
The benefits of online shopping include convenience, competitive pricing, broader selection, ability
to purchase goods from other countries, and the ability to send gifts more easily. Online shopping has
grown rapidly over the past two decades.

4. Real-Time Updates & Information Sharing

Before the Applications of internet, print newspapers, radio and television were the primary medium
for obtaining news. The internet has enabled people to access real-time updates and breaking news stories
as they occur. News sites are able to update stories throughout the day, keeping the public constantly
informed. Citizens can even report live events as they happen through social media, providing on-the-
ground perspectives.
The internet also enables governments, businesses and public figures to share information and
updates in real-time. Alarm systems and internet-connected cameras can live-stream crime events as they
occur. Meteorologists have greatly improved forecasting accuracy by leveraging real-time weather data.
Stock trading has been transformed through real-time stock tickers and trading platforms.

5. Social Media
 Social media has become a primary way that people interact online. Platforms like Facebook,
Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok allow users across the globe to share updates, photos, videos,
and conversations. People can interact with friends, family, strangers, politicians, celebrities and
businesses through social media. These platforms have created online communities where people can
gather based on shared interests.
Social media has also enabled new forms of political engagement, social movements and activism.
Hashtags on platforms like Twitter allow users to easily follow and join in global conversations. Social
media provides a way for people to stay socially connected even when they live far apart. However, social
media can also facilitate the spread of misinformation and impact mental health if not used responsibly.
Overall, social media enabled by Applications of internet applications has profoundly shaped modern
culture.
6. Job Search & Remote Work
The internet provides new opportunities for people to find work and earn income. Job search sites
like LinkedIn, Monster and Indeed allow people to easily search for and apply for jobs across the country
from their home. Applicants can also use sites like Glassdoor to research company reviews and salaries as
part of their job search process.
Many jobs today can be done entirely remotely through the internet. Workers can use business
productivity software like Slack, Trello and Asana to collaborate with teams worldwide through the
internet. Video conferencing apps enable remote meetings.

7. Education & Learning

The internet has created revolutionary changes and opportunities in education. It has enabled the
widespread availability of online education through platforms like Coursera, Udemy, edX and Khan
Academy. Massive open online courses (MOOCs) have made courses from leading universities around
the world accessible to anyone with an Applications of internet connection. K-12 schools utilize online
learning software and educational apps to augment in-classroom teaching.
Students can also easily access digital textbooks, papers and journals for research online through
library databases and search engines. The internet provides unlimited educational content for learning and
opens doors for people everywhere to access education.

8. Travel & Transportation

The internet has heavily influenced transportation and tourism. People routinely use sites like
Expedia, Priceline and Kayak to book flights, hotels and rental cars for travel. Review sites like
TripAdvisor and Yelp help travelers research destinations and businesses. Smartphone apps like Google
Maps and Waze provide real-time navigation, traffic updates and transit schedules.
Ridesharing services like Uber rely on internet-enabled mobile apps to coordinate transportation.
Many airlines provide internet access on flights for entertainment and productivity.

9. Stock Trading & Finance

The internet has also had substantial impacts on trading, banking and finance. Online brokers like E-
Trade and Charles Schwab allow individuals to trade stocks online securely. People can manage their
finances and bank accounts through internet banking and finance apps using any internet-connected
device.
The internet increases access to financial services by enabling online lending, banking and
investment platforms. Algorithmic high-frequency trading relies on ultra-fast internet connections to trade
based on market fluctuations.

10. Video Conferencing

 Finally, video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and Google Meet have become vital
business and personal communication tools powered by the internet. These services enable meetings,
interviews, conferences and hangouts with two or more participants through video chat. This allows for
productive remote collaboration and meetings when in-person gatherings are not possible.
Video conferencing has enabled remote work and virtual offices to become viable for many
companies. Families and friends also use video chat services to connect face-to-face when separated
geographically.

Positive and Negative Impact of the Internet

While the internet has brought many benefits, it also comes with drawbacks. On the positive side, the
internet has enabled:
 Greater access to information, education and opportunities
 More connectivity among people worldwide
 Innovation through digital tools and new business models
 Economic growth through e-commerce and internet-based businesses

However, some of the potential negative impacts include:

 Privacy and security risks from hacking and data collection
 Exposure to misinformation, harmful content and cyberbullying
 Tech addiction and excessive internet or social media usage
 Greater isolation and less in-person interaction

There are also arguments around the internet decreasing attention spans, damaging mental health, and
enabling new forms of crime.
The positives and negatives clearly demonstrate the immense power and influence, both beneficial and
detrimental, that the internet wields through its many applications.

Key Services Enabled by Internet Applications

Some of the key services that internet applications have enabled include:
 Instant messaging and video calls – Services like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype and Facebook Messenger
have provided free or low-cost instant communication.
 Ride sharing – Apps like Uber and Lyft use GPS and internet communication to coordinate transportation
through a network of drivers.
 Crowdsourcing – Platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe utilize the internet to obtain funding from a
large pool of individuals.
 Streaming entertainment – Services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Spotify leverage the internet to
provide on-demand video and music.
 Home automation – Internet-connected devices permit controlling security cameras, lights, appliances
from anywhere with an internet connection.
 Online file storage/sharing – Cloud-based services like Dropbox and Google Drive allow accessing files
across devices and sharing large documents.
 Social media – Platforms like Facebook and Twitter rely on internet applications for sharing text, images,
and video and interacting with other users.
 AI Chatbot- Google Bard, OpenAI Chatgpt, Bing Chat

Key Advantages of Internet Applications

There are several advantages that internet applications provide over traditional non-networked
applications:
 Accessibility – Internet applications can be accessed from any internet-connected device anywhere,
enabling remote usage.
 Real-time updates – Data and content can be updated continuously, allowing internet applications to
provide the latest information.
 Scalability – Internet application infrastructure can scale to support large user bases more easily than
traditional applications

Examples of Internet Applications for Remote Work and Collaboration

The internet has enabled new forms of remote work, collaboration and communication through tools like:
 Video conferencing – Apps like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams facilitate meetings and
collaboration via video chat.
 Cloud computing – Platforms like AWS provide on-demand cloud computing services for remote work.
 Business chat tools – Apps like Slack and Teams allow team communication through instant messaging.
 Remote access software – Applications like LogMeIn provide remote access to a computer or network for
telecommuting.
 Virtual whiteboards – Services like Miro create online collaborative whiteboards for brainstorming
remotely.

Some Existing Internet Applications

Some of the most popular existing internet applications include:
 Social networks – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Reddit
 Messaging – WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Skype, Discord
 Streaming entertainment – Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud
 Ridesharing – Uber, Lyft, Ola
 Ecommerce – Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify
 Food delivery – Grub hub, Door Dash, Uber Eats
 ** Crowdsourcing** – Kickstarter, Patreon, GoFundMe