The internet is the Information Age's decisive technology and with the existence of wireless communication in early 21st century, many can say that humankind is now connected, albeit with great levels of inequality in efficiency, price, and bandwidth.
Companies, institutions, and people feel the depth of the technological change, yet the scope and speed of the transformation has triggered all manner of dystopian and utopian perceptions that once examined closely by methodologically rigorous empirical research, turned out not to be precise. For example, media frequently report that intense use of Internet increases the risk of alienation, isolation, as well as withdrawal from society, yet available evidence shows that the technology neither isolates individuals nor reduces their sociability. This increases sociability, intensity of friendship and family relationships, and civic engagement in all cultures.
Based on Technology Review, the current network society is the product of the digital revolution and several major sociocultural changes.
Globally, time spent on social networking sites surpassed time spent on e-mail in November 2007, and the number of social networking users surpassed the number of e-mail users in July 2009. Today, social networking sites are the preferred platforms for all kinds of activities, both business and personal, and sociability has dramatically increased - but it is a different kind of sociability. Most Facebook users visit the site daily, and they connect on multiple dimensions, but only on the dimensions they choose. The virtual life is becoming more social than the physical life, but it is less a virtual reality than a real virtuality, facilitating real-life work and urban living.
According to Partnerships, the relationship of society with technology is a complex one due to interacting influences. Technology is also often used in surprising ways. Depending on the perspective of an individual with technology, it has both negative and positive impact to the society.
