The internet has had a greater effect on more aspects of everyday life than any invention in at least a century. Exactly what has it radically altered and how, and with what consequences?

The creation of the Internet has had a significant impact on everyday life. Among its greatest changes are its contributions to a global market economy and increased communication.
In the 1990s, the Internet transitioned to commercial networks and businesses. Over time, the Internet has connected us to more and more businesses and markets. The rise of internet-based businesses, like Amazon, allows us to browse, purchase, and ship goods from companies or individuals around the world. This has made our world even more connected. One of the consequences of this is an increasingly connected global economy. Multinational corporations like Amazon, Google, and Apple are taking over smaller local businesses.
An even greater change would be increased communication around the world. In some ways, this has made positive impacts; being able to communicate with family in a variety of instant ways, from emails to social media, is bringing people closer together. One of the negative impacts of Internet-based communication is its ability to link together extremists or hostiles. The 2016 election is marred with potential collusion with Russian spies. Its impact on the election is without doubt, as social media sites like Facebook were flooded with fake news and articles about candidates, which swayed public opinion. The internet also allows for hostile groups, like ISIS, to find new members across the globe and plan attacks. One of the challenges we face in the 21st century is how we tackle this increased communication and the negative impacts it can have; should we regulate the Internet? And if so, how do we do it without infringing on individual rights and freedoms?