It is almost inconceivable that there are places on Earth still without internet access; however, such places do exist. We live in a digital world and the era of computers, smartphones and tablets which operate on systems dependant on the internet.
The internet, as a global network, was designed with the purpose of sharing information across the planet. Since its inception, it has outgrown its initial goal and is now an integral part of even our most mundane daily activities, such as shopping or talking to a friend via chat applications.
With all this in mind, it is no wonder people tend to rely on the internet a lot. However, there are still places on Earth where people live without it.
China is one of the countries with the highest number of internet users. The internet runs deep in its modern culture, and a lot of daily transactions are done online. Tech giants, like Tencent, have found a way to incorporate the internet into the everyday lives of the Chinese, most notably with their chat application that allows you to deposit money to your account and pay for things by Near-Field communication.
More than 90 percent of people aged anywhere between 16 and 35 are internet users in Britain, ONS has declared. These individuals spend a lot of hours behind their computers and smartphones on a daily basis. If you walk the streets, you will see a lot of people with their heads glued to the screens of their phones. A lot of pedestrians walk while chatting on their phones and that poses a real threat to both people and traffic.
It is only a matter of time when the British authorities will follow in the footsteps of a town in the Netherlands which built LED traffic signalling into the pavement, designed to allow the people to watch the signs without lifting their heads from the screens of their smartphones and tablets.
North Korea has tight control over internet access. North Koreans aren’t allowed to use the internet and are forced to use an internal network. Even tourists aren’t allowed the connection and buying local phones, and SIM cards won’t do either. The government has a close eye to all digital networking systems.
Even though Cuba is a great tourist destination, internet access is hard to come by. Although it is not strictly prohibited, the internet service lacks the infrastructure to support a lasting connection. Also, Wi-Fi hotspots are charged additionally to tourists, and you need a special permit to access them which surely begs the question if it is worth the trouble.
The areas where we can apply the internet have expanded exponentially, and with that expansion came a proper infatuation with the internet and what it can do. We started implementing it even in devices such as refrigerators, but we shall be wary though, as too much use of technology can be and already is detrimental to humankind. It’s all about balancing the two.