Internet Society Global Internet Report
Paths to Our
Digital Future
The future of the Internet is ours to shape for the next generation. Humanity must be at the centre of tomorrow's Internet.
Future Thinking
The Internet Society is conducting a series of interviews with those helping to shape tomorrow's Internet. Read their perspectives on the forces shaping our digital future.
Drivers of Change & Areas of Impact
The Drivers of Change encompass technological, economic, regulatory, security and network related challenges for the future Internet. In all cases, the implications of one Driver are inextricably tied to another – for example, we fully expect the role of governments in the Internet to grow in large part due to the rise of cyber threats.
Personal Freedoms & Rights 
Digital Divides 
Media & Society 
The Internet Economy 
The Role of Government 
The Internet & the Physical World 
Artificial Intelligence 
Cyber Threats 
Networks, Standards & Interoperability 
Foreword by Kathy Brown, President and CEO, Internet Society
The Internet Society’s history is inseparably tied to the history of the Internet itself. We were founded in 1992 by Internet pioneers Bob Kahn and Vint Cerf, along with ...
We asked what might happen to the Internet of the future...
These questions explore how the Internet might evolve. But the path we take is up to us.
Recommendations
Put users’ interests first with respect to their own data
Put users in control of their own data. All users should be able to control how their data is accessed, collected, used, shared and stored. They should also be able to move their data between services seamlessly.
Make the Internet economy work for everyone
Governments, insitutions and industry must prioritize skills development and training to allow people to keep pace with innovation and its impact on jobs. They must prepare the workforce for “new collar jobs”.
Empower people to shape their own future
Stakeholders should support civil society and its critical role in protecting and promoting human rights online.
Address the need for online social norms
Make the Internet a safe place where everyone is free from online violence and harassment.
Build strong, secure, resilient networks
Interoperability based on open standards, global reach and integrity, and permissionless innovation must remain a cornerstone of future network development.
Increase accountability for data handlers
Create an accountability regime, including liability provisions to ensure that those entities that collect, compile and manipulate data are liable for its abuse and its security, not the users.
Take a collaborative approach to security
Online security must be made easier for users. Industry and governments should invest in the creation of usable tools and information to help users make informed decisions about privacy, rights and security.
Human values must drive technical development and use
We must have a public debate for society to agree on ethical standards and norms for the use of emerging technologies.
Apply human rights online as well as offline
Governments should stop using Internet shutdowns and other means of denying access as a policy tool: we must keep the Internet on.
Act now to close digital divides
We need to keep the Internet on. Governments should stop using Internet shutdowns and other means of denying access as a policy tool…
Future Thinking
The Internet Society is conducting a series of interviews with those helping to shape tomorrow's Internet. Read their perspectives on the forces shaping our digital future.
Learn more about the Internet Society
