internet- luxury/neccessity?

**FearlessLeader** · 08-09-2011 17:10

since the threas closed before i put in my 10c worth

I think it's an absolute neccessity. Sure you can go to the library to use the internet. I work in a public library and every day i see people using the internet because they don't have it at home. They get 1 hour a day, and if you don't get done what you need to do, bad luck. And an hour is a very short time if you have a toddler or two running around the library, while you try to keep them in check and ignore the filthy looks you're getting for 'not supervising your child'. if you're a single mum, you HAVE to take your kids with you, you can't pay bills once they're asleep or quietly playing. There are SO many things that require you to go online now, life is almost impossible if you don't have the internet or are computer illiterate.

**Lemonhead** · 08-09-2011 17:11

Luxury.
Most of the time.

**just her chameleon** · 08-09-2011 17:13

Necessity - welcome to the 21st century people!

**sunnyd** · 08-09-2011 17:13

Absolute necessity. I could not do any of my study without it, as well as online banking, paying bills, etc.

**Benji** · 08-09-2011 17:16

I often work from home with the internet - necessity. DP is a web developer - necessity.

When I was a single mum it was an absolute necessity. It was the ONLY way (short of selling my body) I could earn any decent money from home without having to pay for child care etc.

**mishh** · 08-09-2011 17:17

In this day and age, necessity

**emzluvbub** · 08-09-2011 17:19

I would call it a Necessary Luxury

**Lemonhead** · 08-09-2011 17:20

I dont think its necessary for everyone. If you use it for work and study then yeah I can see how it is required but just for posting on facebook/twitter/BH etc...nah.

**sweetseven** · 08-09-2011 17:22

Also, the Internet can be relatively inexpensive. I could have minimal home broadband for as little as $30/month or unlimited slow broadband for $40/month. Instead I am paying $50/month for a decent quota.

I also purchased a USB internet stick for my daughter to use for her laptop, at school and on the train. I paid $50 (on a half price special) for one that lasts six months. You can get wireless internet from most carriers (not Telstra) for $130-$150 per year - so that is $2.50-$3 per week, so not very expensive at all.

Now I'm sure you wouldn't begrudge someone spending $5pf on an iced coffee at a mums-n-bubs get together. So isn't it reasonable for someone to forgo that $5 iced coffee per fortnight to have minimal internet usage instead?

Yes people can pay more. As I said, I am paying $50pm, but if I couldn't afford it I wouldn't cancel it completely, I would instead go for a cheaper option - $5pf sounds much cheaper to me.

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I think Internet is as much a necessity as a car.

Sure, people can get by without a car but the majority of people consider it a necessity.