It is true that the advent of the internet has dramatically transformed human communication. While it has led to greater isolation among people and communities because of lack of internet access and less interaction with people, I believe that it has brought individuals closer together due to making affordable or free voice and video calls part of our routines as well as helping us find closer friends.
On the one hand, it is important to recognize that the internet is not accessible to everyone. According to recent statistics, perhaps half of the world’s population still lacks regular internet access, which inherently creates a divide comparison with encouraging unity. Another reason is that it has been observed that the more time individuals spend online, the less they tend to engage with those in their immediate surroundings. For instance, excessive use of social media often results in the neglect of real-life relationships, thus weakening community ties and fostering a sense of loneliness.
On the other hand, the internet undeniably offers great opportunities for connection. The ability to make portable and free voice or video calls to friends, relatives, and colleagues across the globe has revolutionized communication. In the past, maintaining long-distance relationships was both costly and infrequent. Nevertheless, today, such communication can occur daily. Moreover, social media platforms enable individuals to reconnect with old friends and discover new ones with shared interests, which can contribute to building networks that might never have formed otherwise.
In conclusion, although the internet has contributed to a certain degree of isolation for some due to a shortage of internet access and less connection with others, however I believe that the internet has the potential to bring people closer together because of affordable or free connections and contributing to make new friends.