You are reading this which means you have access to the internet 

But, do you know

Internet is like a knife

Yes, you read it right

A knife

But should I tell you why?

You know if a knife is in the hands of a doctor it will save a life

The same knife in the hands of a thief will kill a life

Internet is just like that

It totally depends on you how do you use it

Yet, the world has transformed a lot after the widespread of internet

Come along, let us have a look at how things have changed after the arrival and usage of internet

Get ready to scroll your screens

First, let us have a look at how the internet has made our lives easier

If you want to cook anything and are a newbie search for tutorials and make delicious dishes easily or even better order online

You want to reach a new destination, no need to look around or ask someone for help, GPS is there for you or even want to check the traffic in your route you can do that as well

You are tired, need a makeover you can beauty and saloon services which come provide service to your home

You don’t want to go out to buy groceries and vegetables, you can order them online

You don’t want to clean your home this weekend and want to spend time with your family, you can book home cleaning services online

You want to talk to a friend abroad and see his/ her face, well you can opt for a video call

You want to learn from the best people in the world, well you can do that as well, no need to travel anywhere, you can buy their online courses and save your time and money but no need of compromising with knowledge

You want to give a job interview abroad, no need to travel, skype comes to your rescue

Even now you don’t have to type, you have the option to give voice commands

Even better you are tired, come home sit on your couch and tell Alexa to play your favourite music, just Wow right? No need to open phone and type

In short of clothing, order quickly on Amazon or any other e-commerce stores

If you are sick, consult your doctor over the internet, and order medicines online

Want to learn new courses and technology, no time? No issues, learn from home at your own convenience

E-learning 

Want to get any knowledge, you have it at your fingertips

Want to become famous? You can upload more content on social media

Many unsung heroes got recognised because of the internet 

Example: Ranu Mandal who used to be on the streets became so famous only because of one video

You never know which video of yours go viral and help you become famous

Talking specifically about India, after the introduction of Jio network by Reliance, internet usage saw a steep hike

It is late night and you need to transfer money immediately, e-banking comes to your help

Want to pay bills no need to standing in long queues, any time at your own convenience pay online

Are you all also wondering so much is changed because of the internet

But, there is a lot more

Have to conduct an urgent meeting overnight, webinars help you

No need to travel overseas to deliver a presentation, you can do it through webinars

Imagine the amount of time and money what you will save

Huge right?

Want to get into the film industry and you might have that needs a lot of money and influence

But now one smartphone with internet can get you that, upload more content and results will follow

Want to watch a movie, you have NetFlix watch any movie anytime, no need for anyone’s approval

Grow your knowledge to the next level

Want to date or marry someone? 

Well, you have websites for that as well

You name it and you have it on the internet

Have a message to convey, post a video on every social media platform free of cost, no need to get it printed in newspapers

Apart from all these, most people think the internet means only Social Media

That is not true

Yet let’s talk about Social Media

Want to communicate and learn about other cultures or countries, well you can use any social media platform

Want to network with professionals and want to get a good job, post valuable things on LinkedIn

“Only by being a consumer you get so much of advantage but by being a producer you can do wonders”

“You always have a choice to chill using NetFlix or watch educational and productive stuff”

You can communicate what you have on your mind and help a lot of people

Internet is a massive power and new technology which spread really quickly around the world, within the network people can communicate, find answers, got information’s, socialise, entertain and much more. It’s a technology which will change and determines the shape of our society.

It has become so much a part of how we live that few recall what life was like without it. But so deeply has the Internet burrowed into the social fabric that it is tempting to ask: What should we be doing with it?

Think, for a moment, of the breathtaking pace of its takeover. Instant messaging has long supplanted the crafted epistle (or even the email) as the vehicle of communication. For prose, read ping!

For a long time earning money has always been associated with traditional ‘offline’ ways found in the real world.

With the Internet taking over a large part of our lives, more people are looking to ways to earn money online to increase their financial inflows.

However, you have to be careful of the platform that you opt for. While there are numerous ways that help you earn money online, some of these could end up being scams, so you have to be careful. Also, do not expect to earn a huge amount quickly when using online avenues to earn money.

Here are few such online platforms, websites, and resources that can help you earn money online.

1. Freelancing

Freelancing has always been a popular way to earn money online, the Internet has a plethora of options. There are several websites offering freelance tasks for people with varying skills. All you need to do is to create your account, browse through the listings, and apply for the task that suits you. 

Some websites may even require you to create a personal listing with the details of your skillset so that the interested clients can contact you directly. Outfiverr.com, upwork.com, freelancer.com, and worknhire.com are some websites that provide freelance jobs. 

2. Start your own website

There is enough material available online to help create your own website. This includes choosing the domain, templates, and the design for your website. 

Once ready to service the visitors with the relevant content, sign up for Google Adsense, which when appear on your website and clicked by visitors help you make money. 

The more the traffic you get on your website, the more will be the potential for higher earnings.

ADVERTISEMENT

3. Affiliate marketing

Once your website is up and running, opt for affiliate marketing by allowing companies to insert web links on to your site. When visitors to your site buy products or services by clicking on such links, you earn out from it.

4. Surveys and searches and reviews

There are several websites offering money to undergo online surveys, carry out online searches, and write reviews on products. 

To get the credit, one needs to disclose certain information to them including one’s banking details. This is why you should use this route with utmost care.

5. Virtual assistantship

Doing all the corporate stuff from one’s home is what a virtual assistant (VA) does. VAs basically work remotely with their clients and manage the aspects of their business that they are too busy to handle themselves. 

When you work as a virtual assistant, you can choose to work as an employee or you can set up your own business.

6. Translating

Knowing a language other than English may even help you earn some extra bucks. There are several websites that offer translation projects that require translating a document from one language into another. 

This may include Spanish, French, Arab, German, or any other language to or from English.

7. Online tutoring

If you are an expert in a particular subject, you can earn by tutoring people online. Online tutoring provides a means to connect online with students of all ages, across the country to provide homework help and tutoring in the subjects for which you have demonstrated expertise.

8. Web designing

Not all business owners are tech savvy but the need of the hour is to have a website of their own. Those who have a knack for all- things- tech, especially related to websites, can help small businesses set up their own websites and earn from it. 

Coding and web designing are essential ingredients in setting up websites.

9. Content writing

Online platforms can be a good starting point. Depending on the quality of the articles, one gets paid. 

One may be asked to work upon articles with specific guidelines as well. Develop a niche in your area of expertise and build strength in that domain to increase the revenue stream.

10. Blogging

It starts with a hobby, interest, and passion and soon blogging becomes a career option for many bloggers. 

There are a number of full-time bloggers in the country. There are two ways to start a blog: you can either create a blog through WordPress or Tumblr, which requires no investment or go for a self-hosted blog.

11. YouTube

If you are not comfortable in penning down your thoughts through blogs and content writing, make use of your camera to create a video presentation. 

Create your YouTube channel, upload videos and start monetising them. Choose a category or subject that you want to make videos on and get started, but make sure it’s a topic that will interest a lot of people. 

Apart from these,

A few major advantages of the internet are

• Network with like-minded people

“Your network is your net worth”

Most people give an excuse for less growth is not surrounding

themselves with like-minded people

But seriously speaking today you cannot give that excuse

You can network with the best and like-minded on social media 

• Communicate easily with anyone across the globe

            Just write a mail, no need to write letters and go to courier or post

services

• You can depend on the internet and built a scalable business model– it means experience doesn’t change irrespective of the place

            Like me writing this article can be done from any part of the world,

provided I have a good internet connection and my laptop

            Sounds cool right?

            Thank you internet!

• Create a personal brand for yourself

            It is the only way to survive on a long run today

• Help people

There are a lot of people who don’t have as much knowledge you possess, help them

• Empower lives

            You think you have something in you to add value in a lot of lives, social

media helps you

• Follow and learn from great people

            Not need to wait for them to release their books, get their updates on a

daily basis on  social media

 Most influencers are on social media and provide value regularly

• It is fast and reliable

            You don’t have to wait for approvals

             You have everything at fingertips or even a voice command

But taking about social media, it depends on you whom you follow and who not!

Just like everything has advantages and disadvantages, the same thing applies here

Let me be honest and tell you some 

Disadvantages

• Lazy

            When you have everything sitting at home, somewhere you become

lazy and lack of physical activity  
      

• Addiction

            If I ask you to stay away from the internet for a week, how many of you

can actually do it?

            For most of you, it is a big NO

            But, when you see small kids getting addicted, it is not good

            Kids should play, learn, fall and grow not only to watch things over the

internet

            In extreme cases, suicides take place because of addiction

• Obesity

            When physical activity is decreased, obesity comes into the picture

• Eye problems

            If you gaze the screen for longer times, your eye blinking reduces and

causes eye irritation and other eye-related issues

            irritation and other eye-related issues

• Time waste

            If you don’t use it wisely and do unproductive things like play games or

watch funny things always, it is a mere wastage of time

• Harmful information

            Unfortunately, there is a lot of information which is not needed and

harmful, it is our responsibility not to fall in that trap

• Cybercrimes

            There is a hike in cybercrimes, it is our responsibility again to be safe and know our limitations

There are so many people whom we remember as they have risen above easy content and influenced billions of lives without relying on the clickbait, without on that thumbnail, they built an empire!

The internet has become our playground, it is where millions of kids spend the most time

It is not the streets anymore, it is Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, even kids as young as 4 years!

It is our responsibility as creators and your responsibility as a viewer to build an internet safe for kids

And free of objectification

Filled with kindness, meaning and respect and that responsibility lies on all of us

I would just tell that Internet is the game-changer today, but you got to use it for your benefit

Use the internet for your benefit but don’t get used by internet

Everything is good provided you use it in a good manner

Internet is a tool which can change your life

Use the internet to impact lives and not impress lives

Let us together build an internet we can be proud of!

Hope you realized the role of the internet, do share it with others

Sharing is caring, thank you so much!!