Online lifestyle... changing our daily ways

As published in MapleLine Magazine: Nov.3, 2010

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by Rose Babcock

From large, personal computers to pocket-sized hand-held devices, the Internet’s limitless source of knowledge is not far from most people’s reach. The Web has come a long way since relying on the slow, cumbersome phone-line dialup modems of the early 1990’s. Tech advancements have allowed electronic access to rapidly evolve into a high-speed, powerful platform of communication delivered by cable, highspeed phone line and satellite. Modern broadband has changed the way we work, learn, and communicate. The Web has accelerated human interaction and impacted family lifestyles. Reliance on technology is more prevalent.

Most aspects of modern living are now affected by online activity in some way. We use websites, blogging, electronic mail, forums, financial services, and online shopping. Most traditional uses of communication are being redefined by the Internet, as newspapers become online archives, and face-to-face meetings are replaced by instant messages. Social networking has erupted in the past few years; Facebook and MySpace are the most popular.

With 28 million users, Canadians rank 12th for Internet usage worldwide, and Facebook is by far the most popular social network. Of Canada’s total population, 84.3% are plugged into cyber-space and 48% of those connect at least three times a day. The most common Internet uses are email and social networking, followed by leisurely web-browsing and travel planning.

Although the adoption of social media has been rapid and widespread in Canada, rates of use vary by gender, linguistic groups, and urban vs. rural dwellers. The most prominent demographic, however, is age. In Canada, 94% of the age 15-24 group use the Internet. The vast majority of baby boomers age 45-64 also search the Web. The 65+ set are less likely to surf — 45% of the 65-74 age group. This age gap is likely to close as Web-active young adults arrive at older age categories.

Web browsing as a commonality in most people’s everyday lives puts endless information at our fingertips. Currently, the most popular website in Canada is Google.ca, followed closely by Facebook and YouTube. Further down the list are Blogger, Twitter, Bing.com, eBay.ca, and Craigslist.ca.

As the modern family becomes increasingly reliant on the Internet and other technologies, the dynamics of the traditional household are altered. Homework is assigned and completed online. Parents receive school newsletters online and ‘meet the teacher’ through email. Grocery lists are swapped on iphones so shopping can be done on the way home, or online, ready for pickup. Entertainment is found online, making that trip to the video store less likely.

Conventionalities are challenged as Internet in the home becomes more desirable and seemingly necessary to keep up with the expanding, technological world. Accessible and easy-to-use online features put new meaning to “quick, fast and easy” – seemingly every modern-day person’s motto. MM

Another article from the Holiday 2010 issue: Cyber Safety

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