Online activity is increasing year on year. It is estimated that today well over half the world’s population (63.1%) uses the internet on a regular basis. This proportion has increased year on year for the past decade and shows no signs of decline. There has also been a rise in social media use, with an estimated 59% of the global population being recognized as social media users.
In today’s increasingly online and globally connected world, it is hard to imagine life without the internet. Its exponential growth has been a product of its accessibility on a wide range of devices and the fact that nearly every need can now be catered for online.
As 2022 begins to draw to a close as the festive season approaches, it is worth looking back over the past year, as there are some key trends that have been identified in the online world.
In this article, three of the top online trends that have emerged will be discussed in detail.
The rise in crypto trading
Cryptocurrencies have a relatively short history as they were invented in 2008—in part due to a response to the world financial crisis of the time. Bitcoin was the first currency to come to market, and it offered the potential for impressive short-term profits to be made by investors.
Today, there are a wide range of cryptocurrencies and NFTs that can be traded on the open market. Sites such as OKX offer a one-stop platform for trading in these assets, along with listing some of the most high-performing NFTs available to invest in today.
Crypto trading has risen in popularity throughout the year. In a recent American survey, 1 in 10 people were reported to be trading in crypto, thanks to the ease at which trading can take place and the potential to make quick profits.
eCommerce growth
The eCommerce industry has grown markedly in recent years. Back in 2020, the world experienced its first global pandemic since the Spanish Flu after the first world war. As a direct result of this, millions of people were forced to restrict their movements and activities in an attempt to contain the spread of the covid-19 pandemic. This led to a rapid rise in the use of eCommerce for general shopping needs and for online entertainment.
In 2022 the eCommerce sector continues to experience sustained growth. Perhaps it is not as rapid as during the height of the pandemic, but it is a sector that is still enjoying impressive growth that is predicted to continue into the next decade.
Hybrid working patterns
Hybrid and remote patterns of work were another immense change to the world that came to millions of people as a direct result of the pandemic. As restrictions on movement and group gatherings have been lifted in many countries across the world, the model of hybrid working looks set to stay. In 2022, 41% of people surveyed during February reported that they worked in a hybrid fashion and tended to spend a few days in the office, whilst being at home for the rest of the week. This trend is forecast to become a permanent feature for millions of employees. Partly, this is because many workers feel hybrid working arrangements give them greater control over their work–life balance, and saves time due to a reduced need to commute during the working week. Most homes now have fast and reliable home internet, which enables workers to log in online and work as normal from a remote setting.
