Android Apps

---

A snapshot of Internet usage across the globe Posted: 04 Feb 2016 08:51 PM PST The Internet is now an ingrained part of life for much of the world's population. Currently, 3.2 billion people globally are using the Internet, with 2 billion of those being located in developing countries. This means that 40% of the world's population is now online. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), global Internet penetration grew seven fold from 6.5% to 43% between 2000- 2015. Internet penetration in developing countries stands at 35% compared to slightly over 80% in developed countries. The proportion of households with Internet access has also significantly increased from 18% in 2005 to 46% in 2015. This means that by the end of 2015, more than 80% of households in developed countries had Internet access compared to 34% in developing countries. In the least developed countries only 7% of households have Internet access. The number of Internet users differs by geographical region with Asia and Europe registering the most users worldwide. However, North America has the highest Internet penetration rates in the world (87.9%). When it comes to individual countries, China, India and the US occupy the top slots with the highest Internet usage. Internet uses across the world There are differences in how people from various countries access the Internet. For instance, most people in the developed world use their PCs or laptops to go online while their counterparts in the developing world mainly rely on mobile devices such as smartphones. Using smartphones, tablets or computers, individuals comfortably move among different online platforms and websites. The three most popular sites worldwide with millions of visitors daily include Google, Facebook and YouTube. It is estimated that the average Internet user spends over 20 hours online every week. This time is mostly spent sending/reading emails, finding information on a search engine or searching for directions. Other top Internet activities include shopping for products or services, using social networking sites, getting information about politics and healthcare as well as online entertainment (games, movies or music). There are also people who make a living from the Internet. They include bloggers, content writers, web programmers and designers, among others. These days, individuals can opt to freelance online instead of looking for conventional employment. The major hindrance to online freedom is censorship of Internet content. This can take many forms ranging from governments blacklisting pornographic and pirate websites and blocking the dissemination of political opinions. The countries with a notorious reputation for Internet censorship include China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Internet and communication building The Internet has greatly assisted communication in various parts of the world, helping to connect even the most remote countries. The impact is most obvious in developing countries where it has changed lives. Thanks to the Internet, people in these countries can now communicate with their loved ones, access information (usually via their phones) and conduct business. Furthermore, Internet infrastructure in developing countries is improving rapidly, from laying more fiber optic cables, increased purchase of smartphones and PCs as well as the slow but gradual move from Ethernet to wireless connectivity. Afghanistan is a good example of how the Internet can change communication. Ehsan Bayat, a successful Afghan entrepreneur specializing in telecommunications, founded the Afghan Wireless Communication Company in 2002 to open up the country to the outside world. This played a crucial role in connecting people whose lives had been torn apart by the actions of the Taliban regime. People could now openly communicate with each other, strengthen their communities and rebuild their country. The Internet remains one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century. It has become a crucial part of today's world, changing how people work, live and enjoy themselves. Since it is such an important part of life, more needs to be done to ensure that everyone in the world has adequate and safe access.

You are subscribed to email updates from News – Android Apps. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States