Perspective: Internet and the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe influence on daily functioning. With extensive efforts to restrict the virus’s spread, schools and social events have been placed under lockdown for an extended period, with people maintaining a physical distance. Adolescents and young people have had to deal with severe stress in addition to developmental aspects.
The terror caused by the sickness, the ‘lockdown’ scenario, high levels of uncertainty about the future, and financial insecurity all contribute to the stress, anxiety, and depression felt by individuals worldwide. Several studies have found that teens have expanded their use of social media sites and streaming services.
Furthermore, people who scored high on game addiction, compulsive internet use, and social media use also reported high levels of despair, loneliness, and escapism, poor sleep quality, and pandemic anxiety. Let us get into detail. The coronavirus epidemic has underlined how vital internet and digital technology access is for all communities, regardless of economic, political, social, or geographical situations. More than ever, it is evident that widespread access to Internet infrastructure and services offered without prejudice is critical for resilient and prosperous societies.
Health and Internet
While COVID-19 has kept Guatemalans apart, broadband technology has enabled some of them to work from home, pay bills, take learning courses, look for jobs, and shop for groceries and other necessities. People are increasingly using teleconference platforms to conduct virtual health care visits. However, for people who cannot pay or do not have access to the Internet, the online shift is missed. Broadband connectivity is a public health concern that is increasingly being acknowledged as a social determinant of health.
The industry also stepped up and gave assistance with relief efforts and distributing awareness about COVID-19 safety measures. In general, the Internet was robust enough to handle the traffic surges. However, this resilience has not been consistent throughout the world, owing to nations’ varying levels of digital preparedness.
Online platforms that recruit workers on an ad hoc, short-term, and mainly informal basis fuel the gig economy. Uber and Airbnb are two well-known examples. Since the widespread availability of smartphones in 2010, these platforms have developed enormously. Workers employed by these platforms have suffered dramatically during the shutdown since the demand for their services, such as taxi rides, rents, or skill jobs, has vanished. Furthermore, because these individuals were not promised a salary, their earnings fell precipitously.
Work from Home and Internet
In the immediate aftermath of a pandemic, there is likely to be a delayed return of gig economy employees as manufacturing and service businesses resume their previous operations. However, we believe that the gig economy will prosper in the long run as the fear of infection and spread fades. The WFH culture will also play a role in this. Work-from-home and gig work has garnered interest in IS research, with issues like telecommuting, digital nomads, and virtual teams receiving attention. One critical issue is job allocation and collaboration between and within units, as well as across projects. As the number of WFH and gig workers increases in the post-pandemic world, this issue will grow in magnitude and relevance.
The Internet Accessibility
The Internet is becoming a more vital aspect of the global economy, culture, and society. Guatemala is no different. Although Guatemala has a 31 percent illiteracy rate and 60 percent of the population lives in poverty, the Internet provides a new avenue of opportunity for everyone in the country, from the richest to the lowest. Guatemala’s Internet usage has been steadily increasing. In 2017, 65 percent of the country’s population used the Internet, which was more than six times more than in 2010. Despite this, Guatemala’s internet penetration rate is still lower than the Latin American average.
Guatemala’s high illiteracy rate also prevents a significant portion of the people from taking advantage of the vast information available on the Internet. That’s why Atel Communications comes into action as it is the best internet service provider in Guatemala with unlimited internet for 30 days, your family can take their classes online, keep connected with friends and family and continue developing their skills.