Technology Spotlight: Internet Accessibility

      I can still remember accessing the internet in the early 2000's.  My family lived in the outskirts of a small town and a faster connection (DSL) was only available if one's home was a short distance from the Internet Service Provider.  Therefore, connecting to the internet required a 3 minute-long call where strange, robotic sounds were exchanged between my computer and the internet service provider.  The end result was, of course, an extremely slow internet connection that limited my web browsing to chat and text-based research (unless, of course, I was willing to wait hours for a video to load).  

     Over time, of course, the internet has become faster and more accessible around the globe.  Consumers are able to access a much faster internet connection, which allows for the viewing of text, sound, and video-based content without waiting for slow buffer speeds.  According to a Pew Research Study(2021), 93% of American adults utilize the internet; nearly 75% of American adults have a broadband internet connection within the comfort of their own home.  This change in internet accessibility means that communications professionals have had to adapt and learn new skillsets when it comes to publishing content online.  

The embedded visual, created by Logo Design Guru (n.d.). provides an overview of the critical elements necessary to create a successful post online.  While text is valuable, over 40 percent of audiences will be more attracted to content that contains visual media; this includes: infographics, illustrations, animations, color schemes, and cleverly designed typography. 

References

Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet. (2021, April 7). Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internetbroadband/?menuItem=480dace1-fd73-4f03-ad88-eae66e1f4217

Logo Design Guru (n.d.). The Visual Language of Business. Visually. https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/business/visual-language-business