The Internet has been around since 1965 when a wide-area network was first connected in the United States between computers in Massachussets and California. From there the Internet grew and now encompasses most of the world with connected computers. I remember first using the Internet around 1987 and I used it primarily for email and for getting into Web chatrooms. Wow, chatrooms were addictive. If you have a message to send to another person, you most likely use email.
Instant messaging is important for real-time messaging communication.
The Web is useful for viewing documents and easily linking and jumping to other documents using hyperlinks. The Internet is just a big network. Don't let marketing budgets and brochures get in the way of reality. I want it to be a big fat juicy steak with mashed potatoes, and if I don't get that I'll just take some connected computers. The Internet is, unfortunately, never going to be anything more than computers connected to each other.