Breaking News: The Internet Is Good For You

Sometimes it’s easy to focus on the negative qualities of internet usage: addiction, the deterioration of written language, strained eyes, lost work hours, etc. Plus, we are constantly reminded of online dangers such as hacking, viruses and identity theft.

But did you know that the internet can actually be good for you?

In this interactive data visualization (fancy stuff!) we explore how the internet is a benefit in the areas of health, learning, communication, the economy and even human rights:

13 reasons why the internet is good for you.

Visualized with HTML5

This is WhoIsHostingThis’s first data interactive visualization project using HTML5.
More about HTML5 and examples.
Please note: interactive features don’t translate completely to mobile browsers, please view on your desktop/laptop if possible.

13 Reasons Why the Internet is Good for You

Most of us rely on the internet on a daily basis, but did you know that it is actually good for you?

1. Start
2. Health
3. Learning
4. Economy
5. Communication
6. Human-Right
7. Summary
8. Vote

It’s good for your health

Teens can access information they find hard to talk about.

1 in 6 teens use the internet to find information about drugs, sexual health or depression.

-20 depression

+20% cognitive function

Senior citizens who spend more time online are less depressed and more mentally active.

42% use social media to access health related consumer reviews.

40% say information found via social media would affect the way they cope with a chronic condition.

45% say information found via social media would affect their decisions to seek a second opinion.

Social media can lead to people making more informed health decisions

It’s good for learning

Internet access can increase graduation rates. Students with broadband at home are 6-8% more likely to graduate compared to similar students with no broadband access.

Worx out da brain

Resrchers found tht ‘internet speak’ has no harm on adolescnts’ ability to sp3ll. They say, if anything, it gives them a ‘brain workout’.

Online courses mean more flexibility and learning choices for students

In the last 5 years the number of students taking online courses has increased by 96%

It’s good for the economy

The Internet itself contributes 3.4% to GDP in 13 countries – an amount the size of Canada in terms of GDP.

GDP (Trillion of $US)

• USA
• China
• Japan
• Germany
• France
• UK
• Brazil
• Russia
• Italy
• India
• THE INTERNET
• Canada
• Australia

It creates jobs

For each job created in the high-tech industry, 5 additional jobs are created in other sectors

The internet crowdfunds innovation

In 2012, crowdfunding platforms raised $2.7 billion

& successfully funded 1 million+ campaigns.

More than 95% of businesses in OECD countries have an online presence, meaning improved efficiency and more ways to communicate with customers

The internet creates new services

The growth of legal streaming helps to reduce online piracy.

‘The Netflix Effect’ – 40% of people copy or download less due to legal streaming services such a Netflix.

It’s good for communicating

It connects people regardless of distance

In the last 10 years, Skype has connected more than 300 million people around the world.

Combined, everyone’s conversations add up to 2.6 million years of Skype calls.

It’s a good place to start married life

35% of couples married between 2005 and 2012 met online.

Divorce or separation rates are lower for couples who met online.

The internet should be a human right

79% of people around the world agree

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression: this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” — Article 19, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The internet is a good place to learn, freedom of expression, an easy way to communicate.

Communications rights should be reconceptualised for modern technology.