How CoronaVirus Changed The Way We Use Internet in 2020

With the majority of the world in lockdown mode and people stuck in their homes, Coronavirus has had a massive impact on slowing down the way of the world as we know it. 

The usual hustle and hectic schedule of an ever-growing population have been brought back to the starting point. Governments around the globe have decided to use the lockdown as a precautionary and preventive measure to curb the spread of the virus until a vaccine is invented.

With people now in the safe sanctuary of their homes practicing social distancing, there has been an enormous increase in the number of people using the internet in a way to kill free time and to stay connected in this hour.

Like everything which has been impacted, there has also been a massive change in the net usage nowadays, and that is what we are going to have a look at today, the five ways how Coronavirus has changed the way we use the internet.

1. Online streaming services have turned into the new TV.

Recent data released by online streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar has shown that the number of paid subscribers has increased by a considerable margin during this pandemic season.

Netflix recently reached a massive 15.8 million paid subscribers and has projected an estimated increase of 7 million more in the months leading up to June.

While online streaming services have come in the form of a savior, there is no denying the fact that they are expensive! All platforms have different subscription rates, and even when you go for clubbing them together, you lose a lot of money in the process every month. A better alternative to using the internet for your entertainment needs is to head over to proxy-rarbg.org

Hotstar has similarly followed by revealing their paid subscribers’ membership to be in the region of 8 million as of 9 April and expect a surge in the following months.

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With televisions running out of shows to broadcast due to suspended shooting schedules of shows, online streaming services are reeling in the customer base who want to watch either new content or binge-watch their favorite shows. But all might not be so jolly. Online streaming giants such as Netflix have predicted a decline in viewership shortly if the stay at home orders are lifted, or a solution is found for the virus, which may lead to the opening of the lockdown.

Whatever may be the case in the future. Still, in the present, these online streaming services are reaping the rewards of providing the favorite shows of a stay at home population on a whim and are replacing the TV as an ideal time killer for the time being.

2. Social media platforms and services are becoming the best way to stay connected.

Now, as people are forced to remain confined between the four walls of their home, the best way to stay socially connected with friends, family, and peers have been social media sites. People are quickly turning their heads towards social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, etc. to keep connected with their close ones and remain in touch, recent studies showing that there has been a significant increase in their usage.

People are confined physically, but these social media sites are working out as a platform for people to fulfill their common cravings and are helping people lessen the effect felt by social distancing and staying apart.

Humans are a social animal, and these sites are helping fulfill the gap and obscurity created by the lockdown and are doing an excellent job in doing so.

3. We are using the internet for educational means more.

The lockdown has led to the closure of colleges and educational institutes all around, with many higher educational institutes declaring summer holidays as a further preventative measure. But teaching has continued in this global age with universities and schools using the online platform as a way to impart education.

Outside of giving online lectures, institutes have also started using online platforms such as google meet, zoom, google classroom to hold examinations that cannot be taken physically at this time.

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Further college students have turned towards the internet for doing online certification courses and internships as a means to enhance their employability and are using the internet to improve their knowledge. Online education has been present for a long time but is just now seeing its optimal usage in this time of the pandemic.

4. A surge in usage of online gameplay and games

With all physical activities bringing adrenaline brought to a halt, there has been a massive surge in the online gaming community. Games such as PUBG, FIFA, Counterstrike, which had been popular before too, are now seeing a surge as these games provide people with stay-at-home entertainment and they can even play a lot of iOS games on PC. The world of virtual reality was brought to them at home.

Everybody is enjoying using this free time to play out that long-awaited game for which you did not have time earlier. People are using it as a means to stay connected in multiplayer simulations and also enjoy themselves at the same comfort of their homes.

5. Quick news updates

As the fear of the virus continues, people are using the internet as a quick way to check on the various news updates and happenings around the world. However, television also provides news coverage, but the ability to search out information on your topic of choice has given the internet an upper hand.

From the number of Coronavirus infected patients to the recent inactivity of the North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un, the internet is becoming the go-to place for quick updates.

With all these points in mind, there is a wind of change in the way we use the internet, as has been seen in the case of almost everything affected due to the Covid-19. 

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