The Internet has had a profound effect on society over the last two decades. Although it began as a government operation, over time this innovative technology eventually evolved into a public novelty. Looking at society today, one may find that the situation has certainly evolved. For many, the Internet has become an essential for daily living , no longer the fun novelty it was 10 years ago. Even a decade ago if you were to think about whether or not the Internet had a significant impact on society, the answer would likely have been probably not. While the Net may have been considered a neat innovation, it was not like anyone "needed" it.
网络在过去的20年对社会产生了深远的影响，虽然最初是从政府部门开始推行，然而随着时间的流逝，这项技术的革新已经演变成为大众的新奇事物。看看今天的社会，你会发现形势已经完全发生了变化。对于很多人来说，网络已经成为日常生活的必需品，不再像10年前是一种好玩的新鲜事物。哪怕10年前，如果在大脑中设想网络是否对社会有重大影响，可能你的答案都是“不”。然而网络现在已经成为一种绝妙的创新，而不只是一种简单的需要。
However, over time this perception has changed for many individuals in society. The Internet has become, for the most part, an absolute necessity, either by requirement or by desire. Going online has become as natural as doing other daily tasks people have traditionally done. People take it for granted that the Internet will be available, and dependency on being connected has become the norm. Both businesses and individuals alike depend upon the routine availability of the Internet. Due to the fact that many business, government agencies and other organizations have navigated to the online environment, generally people require consistent access, or 24/7 access, if you will.
不管怎样，社会中很多个体的这种观念随着时间而不断发生改变。互联网已经成为一种完全的必需品，不管是出于要求还是需求。上网已经成为和人们生活中其他日常事务一样的自然行为。人们把随时接入网络视为理所当然，也习惯通过互联网建立连接。生意人和个体也依赖于互联网的日常联络。由于许多生意人、政府部门和其他的一些机构已经转向线上，普通大众要求一周7天，每天24小时的网络使用权。
In many ways the Internet has had a very positive effect on society. It has improved communication, simplified handling tasks and errands, offered huge convenience, enabled faster processing, and provided more options, all of which have freed more time to do other things.
网络在许多方面给予社会一个非常积极的影响，它改善了沟通、简化了办事方式、提供了巨大的方便、加快了流程的推进，给予更多选项，这一切都让我们有了更多时间去做其他的事。
Yet, interestingly enough the Internet has, in some ways, had negative effects. The quality of communication has declined; people are impatient because they have become accustomed to instant gratification, and using the Internet also takes up a lot of time. As websites such as Facebook and other socially based interactions increase in usage, many hours a day are consumed as people keep up with their various networks, taking away from other activities.
是的，互联网确实很有趣，在有些方面，也有一些不好的影响。交流的品质下降；人们习惯于即时满足而变得不耐烦，同时上网也会占去很多时间。因为增加了很多诸如脸谱网等一些基于社交互动网站的使用时间，人们一天花费很多时间持续在他们的各种网站，从而没有时间去做其他事情。
When looking at it from the latter perspective, one may wonder whether or not the Internet has truly benefited society. Realistically, as with anything else, the Internet has its pros and cons.Tools such as e-mail and instant messaging have become the standard; social networks are quickly evolving into the next level of communication, and people enjoy their constant access.In this respect the benefits of the Internet are tremendous. This is not only evidenced by the many activities people engage in when they connect to the Internet, but also by the continuous progression and development of mobile devices such as smartphones.
当从后一种观点来看，有些人可能会问，互联网对社会是否真的有利。事实上，和其他事物一样，互联网有利有弊。邮件和即时信息软件已经成为标配；网络社交正在快速演变为新的沟通途径，人们也喜欢网络的持续访问。从这个视角来看，网络的优势是非常明显的。这不仅体现在人们上网时参与的许多活动上，也体现在智能手机等移动设备的不断进步和发展上。
Society has evolved to the point where people expect and rely on readily available information. People also expect to receive rapid responses when doing business and personal tasks. The Internet makes this possible. Many of the things that society takes for granted nowadays are all made possible by the development of the Internet.
社会已经进入到一个人们期待和依赖及时获取信息，同时也期待在处理工作和个人事务时能够得到及时回复的时代。互联网让这一切变得可能。现代社会许多看来理所当然的事情都是依靠互联网的发展而得以实现。
What kind of an impact has the Internet had on society ? Wrapped up in the advantages and disadvantages one thing is for certain: the Internet has had a significant effect on society. To imagine the impact all one has to do is try to envision the consequences if the Internet was suddenly removed from society. Imagine a world where the Internet was unavailable. How would it affect you ? Looking at it from this respect, for many it likely brings to light just how reliant and dependent society has become on the Internet and it would be extremely hard to turn back the clock.
那么互联网对社会到底有什么影响？综合它的优点和缺点来看，有一件事情是确定的：互联网对社会有着重要的影响。要说它有什么影响，所有人想像一下如果互联网突然从社会消失会有什么后果。想像一下一个没有互联网的世界是怎样的，它会对你有怎样的影响？从这个角度来看，社会对互联网是多么的依赖和依靠，要让时光倒流也是极其不可能的。
