Running Head: GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 1

Google By The Numbers

Kaden H. Kennard

Mrs. Duffy

Salt Lake Community College

 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 2

Table of Contents

Abstract………………………………………………………...……………………………Page 3

Introduction…………………………………………………………………....………....Pages 3-4

Research………………………………………………………………………………….Pages 4-7

Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………...Page 7

Recommendations………………………………………………………………………..Pages 7-8

Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………....Page 9
 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 3

Abstract

Through research, both quantitative and qualitative, this report will present how Google

has slowly become a detriment worldwide. The impact that Google has had on all generations of

today's world has become so great that it must be addressed. But before doing so, it is important

to understand how Google has reached such a high status in life. In 2018, the internet has been

the strongest it has ever been. There are so many different opportunities it lays available for all

individuals. As it has become more attainable and user friendly throughout the years, its

popularity has ever so more escalated. Hence, Google eventually made its way into the daily

routine of life. Although this may sound beneficial seeing how much it has to offer, it began to

take an unexpected route. The attitude of society as a whole shifted towards a nonchalant

behavior. Though Google helped society take progressive steps in the business, mechanical,

science, and countless other fields of work, it likewise helped the world take steps backward

when it comes to poor habits. The most primary consequence is the reliance individuals have for

the internet. Therefore, Google blindsided all of its faithful users in accidently controlling part of

their lives.

Introduction

Throughout the Twenty-First Century, it has become quite evident that technology has

become almost essential for everyday life. In particular, the internet has proven to be one of the

most important and impactful technological advancements over the years. Google, everybody’s

favorite search engine, has been able to adapt in order to satisfy the needs of billions of people. It

has gradually merged into the daily life of humanity in so much that it goes unrecognized. Seeing

how easily accessible Google is to people all around the world, it is not acknowledged for all that
 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 4

it does. As Google has been growing almost unnoticeable in technological progression, it’s

popularity and imprint on society has snowballed as well. As mentioned before, Google has been

able to accomodate for the needs of various backgrounds. Because of its simplicity, people of all

ages are able to use Google for diverse purposes. Google allows access for entertainment,

research, information, and global news. With so many attributes, it has become relevant in the

lives of the youth and elderly. With so much time spent on the internet however, some negative

habits have resulted. To address a few, society has lost it’s patience and intelligence as it has

gradually become more dependent upon Google. Therefore, humanity has wasted so much time

on the internet that it has become partially enslaved to its attractions.

Research

In order to better understand how Google has become an independent variable in its

equation with society, it is important to discover just how much Google is used. With the strides

Google has made over these past few years, its popularity and usage has skyrocketed. “We can

see the number of daily searches on Google - 3.5 billion, which equates to 1.2 trillion searches

per year worldwide” (Mangles, 2018). Such numbers are jaw dropping to see. Though the

internet has always proved to be a reliable source, never has it become so prevalent in society.

To get a better understanding of its growth, the year of 2012 had 1,216,373,500,000 searches on

Google compared to just 41,041,600,000 searches in 2002.

 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 5

Therefore, it is more than evident to acknowledge just how much society has turned to Google

for any given circumstance.

Likewise, to expound even further on the dependency humanity holds for Google, the

actual amount of time spent on the internet has had a significant jump as well. Though one can

argue that a good majority of time spent on the internet is at fault of businesses and corporations,

leisure time on Google plays just an important role in the increase. “People are spending twice as

much time online compared to 10 years ago. The biggest increase has been young adults, with

time spent online almost tripling from 10 hours and 24 minutes each week in 2005 to 27 hours

and 36 minutes in 2014” (Anderson, 2015). To add more astonishment to such numbers, an

increase of 10.6 hours per week is spent on the internet between the years of 2005 and 2014.
 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 6

Now, this would not be possible without the help of laptops, smartphones, and tablets that allow

people to take the internet on the move. Thus, Google has managed to consume a good majority

of people’s time on a daily basis.

As a result from so much time and energy directed towards a single source, a higher

dependency has evolved. In fact, because society has become so reliant on Google, negative

behaviors have sprouted as a result. For example, because Google offers so much information in

so little amount of time, a tendency of growing impatient has started to appear. Just as important,

Google has made it possible for people to not expend a large amount of energy when it comes to

learning. “In a series of experiments, researchers discovered several things: 1) we think of the

internet first when faced with a difficult problem 2) we are less likely to remember something if

we believe we can look it up late, but 3) we are more likely to remember where to find the
 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 7

information if we believe it is saved somewhere” (Braun, 2015). It is sad to see how individuals

believe a few presses of a button can solve their problems. No matter what type of question one

may have, the solution is always “just Google it”.

Conclusion

Though Google has proven to have positive applications to help society move forward,

inevitable consequences have started to trump such progressions. It is quite simple, to much of a

good thing will eventually become a bad thing. In this case, Google has become the unexpected

villian no one expected. As society continued to spend more and more time on the popular search

engine, whether for productive or barren purposes, it started to have a negative impact. First of

all, because such a large amount of time is spent looking at a screen, there is less time to do other

things necessary to maintain a healthy and balanced life. There is not as much time to visit with

family, practice hobbies, read, exercise, travel, etc. At the same time, poor habits develop

naturally as people heavily rely and use Google. Society losses a sense of drive and motivation,

patience, and intelligence. In a simpler perspective, Google takes place for individual’s brains.

People are not required to put in as much effort these days seeing how Google can do all the

work for them. Consequently, humanity only makes things worse as they continue to look

towards Google for every little thing they may need.

Recommendations

In such a situation, the best plan of attack must be disciplined. Just as the problem arose

gradually, in order to overcome it society must be willing to take baby steps. Such condition will

not be cured overnight. First of all, advice to any parents of young children, avoid exposing them

to the internet at such young ages. Being familiar with Google and all that it has to offer as a
 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 8

child, not only will they spend more time online but have a higher level of reliability as well.

Thus, it is important that society teaches its growing generations to look towards themselves for

dependency. Likewise, spending less time on any internet facet will help stop the bleeding. In

specific, turning off social media every once in awhile will help get out of the habit of being

online. In addition, simply disciplining oneself to spend less time on the computer, laptop,

smartphone, or tablet will help loosen the bounds upon this slavery. Lastly, in a more educational

setting, turning towards textbooks more often can prove to be effective as well. Though the

internet has so much to offer in a school setting, it is not always required. With everything being

said, this does not mean to completely turn away from Google. It is simply stating guidelines to

help society get back on its feet and become more independent.
 GOOGLE BY THE NUMBERS 9

Bibliography

Anderson, E. (2015, May 11). Teenagers spend 27 hours a week online: How internet use has

ballooned in the last decade. Retrieved April 27, 2018.

Braun, A. (2015, January 5). What is Google doing to your brain? Retrieved May 2, 2018.

Mangles, C. (2018, January 30). Search Engine Statistics 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.