Alan Bayham

Internet Adoption Increases Youth and Adult Literacy, Primary and Secondary School Enrolment, and Decreases Poverty in 193 nations Measured Alan Bayham

Internet communication technologies have rapidly empowered people in both developed and developing nations throughout the world. There are presently 4.2 billion people who do not have access to the Internet and the hardware needed to gain access to it throughout the world. The adoption of the Internet in the developing world has been rapid, and Internet access has become more cost-effective and realistic for individuals in developing countries through wireless technologies and smartphones. The impact and empowerment of the Internet have not been felt by the majority of the world's population, but it is clear that it is being quickly adopted and positively affecting the lives of billions of people throughout the world and will continue to do so well into the future. The hypothesis of this study was that Internet adoption and use positively impacts youth and adult literacy rates for both sexes, primary and secondary enrolment rates for both sexes, and helps to decrease poverty. The hypothesis was found to be true, and it is clear that Internet use and adoption has positively impacted developed and developing nations throughout the world. This impact will continue well into the future as the most poverty-stricken individuals gain access to affordable and reliable ICTs, which will, directly and indirectly, offer them increased access to educational opportunities, employment, jobs, business opportunities, government services, and much more. Keywords: Internet, education, smartphone, poverty, literacy, gender, equality