The Internet has had an overall positive effect on our society.

This does not exclude all the people without the Internet, unless people who aren't connected are considered to not be part of the world." - Whatever you say, although I did, purposely try to make this more specifically about those who are directly affected by the Internet, who do live world wide. "But whether the charity uses mobiles or the internet it doesn't effect starving people in Africa." - I'm sorry, I thought I already proved this. Yes, it does. The use of the Internet to communicate, especially for the purpose of charity, is highly beneficial as there are many means to communicate your message with many people. Websites, advertisements, even chain e-mails. The message reaches more people, which is what you want when your asking for charitable donations, and therefore it is likely that more people will know what the problem is and donate for it. "You still haven't said why the internet has a positive effect on business." - I have, many times. It has a positive effect not only because it means the ability to buy online, which is easier than other forms of shopping, but also because it allows the cheaper creation of businesses, that is, online businesses, of which there are many. The ability to buy rarer items. Cheaper prices. And while I may have admitted the entertainment point isn't exactly useful, I'm betting you use the Internet as a source of entertainment, or you sure like to have access to entertainment in any form at all. The Internet provides easier access to more entertainment media, even the most diverse of entertainment, according to one's own preferences. "Is the internet creating more relationships and is there any proof they are stronger relationships? If not, then it is not having a positive relationship on relationships! You have also conceded that the entertainment factor is irrelevant." - I don't need proof they are stronger relationships, because they are, simply, relationships. And on relationships as a whole, it does have positive effect. It allows people to create them more easily, and with the people they would most like to have a relationship with. Relationship = happy people. "I will suggest that people learn a subject less thoroughly because of the internet, prior to the internet you would have to read an entire book to learn about a subject, now a simple Wikipedia article tells the basics and people don't go and research further. Furthermore people think knowing the basic outline of a subject is the same as having read primary sources. Therefore through the internet people know very little about a lot." - I disagree with you. You don't have to read an entire book to learn about a subject, only to do so in depth. While the Internet may not, generally, facilitate a deep education on a topic, it still makes it easier to gain information. Most people don't need to access a deep understanding of a topic, that's for educational institutions to instill into someone. Your argument is also somewhat irrelevant. With the Internet, we can find information on diverse topics that are sometimes needed. This is difficult with books. You would be forced to buy expensive textbooks from other parts of the world, otherwise, to find such information, as such information is unlikely to be found in a local library, and even if you did find a book, it would take a long time to find the specific information. The Internet, using search engines, can pinpoint the exact information you need quite easily. "You flippantly say "Of course, the Internet has had some negative effects on people's social lives", as though it is no big deal. You have admitted that it does have a negative effect on people and being social is massively important to society more so than being entertained or buying rare trinkets on ebay." - I admitted to it having some effect, and I would add, if any. I then proceeded, whether you noticed or not, to explain the positive effects, which I believe outweigh the negatives (this is because the negative effects do not occur for everyone who takes to using the Internet to socialise). And of course it is more important - but that doesn't mean access to the last two things don't make life easier for the millions of people who want entertainment and rare trinkets.