Even in relatively backward countries like Africa which is constantly crippled by extreme poverty and hunger, its Internet users make up for 14.2% of the world's population. Not only that, even the Asia region whereby its people lead comparativly lower standards of living than the other Western regions, managed to emerge as the number one region with the most Internet users. Frankly spaking, I was extremely surprised with the results of these statistics as I have always thought that it was the Western contries which dominate the Internet domain.

Most importantly, from these statistics, we are able to see how widely-used and popular the Internet is. The West are not the only priviledged ones whom get to enjoy the conveniences of the Internet. Even poorer and less developed countries like Africa contribute a significant number of Internet users. All of these, makes it clear that the Internet enjoys a high usuage and immense popularity all around the world, regardless of the particular country's economic status.

The Internet provides us with an extremely vast range of information and services. From the latest news on BBC, to fashionable shopping sites, to first-hand information on how to take good care of you first child etc, the Internet provdies them all! With a click of the mouse, we are able to source for any and every sort of information we require. All we have to do is to simply Google it, and we there have it!

With the Internet, we no longer have to go through the hassle of having to painstakingly search for a book in the library for reaserch purposes, no longer do we have to fly all the way to a certain country to get something we want, no longer do we have to feel disappointed for not being able to watch our favourite singers perform etc. Also, we can easily make new friends and without any direct face contact with the help of websites such as Friendster, MySpace etc
We can also do the same when communicating with our family and friends through the use of specialised online chat services such as MSN Messenger, ICQ

Everything is just a simple click away! In fact, the Internet brings about so much conveniences that it feels as if every single aspect of our lives is being meticulously looked after.

However, it is also the same Internet which brings to us an abundance of conveniences which erodes a country's greatly valued state soveriegnty. Due to the Internet's remarkable ability to allow Man to share information rapidly and easily with one another, governments are no longer able to maintain absolute sovereignty of the state. The main reason being, governmnts do not possess control over the Internet and hence, are unable to restrict the information which is being share through the Internet. This may lead to a leak of confidential information which can greatly threaten the soveriegnty of a state.