There are a few times when one would be better off without the Internet. Such as, if one is 98 years old and can barely see and is unable to type. In that case, it would be another expense for little or no benefit. Usually, such people would never be able to figure it out anyways, and it would be too frustrating trying to get online.
Another case would be if one doesn't have electricity--or is just plain too damn poor to be able to afford basic necessities like food and shelter. The Internet is not a bare necessity unless it's your livelihood, and people can survive without it. In cases where one is destitute, food and shelter are a higher priority than the Internet. And, unless you have and can afford electricity, the Internet is not going to do you any good.
And there are those who are absolutely addicted to the Internet. No, not the majority of those who spend 6-8 hours a day online. The ones where the Internet is an obsession--these people are online like 18 hours a day and up. It actually interferes with sleep and work, and is destroying their lives because they can't bring themselves to get offline so they can work and sleep. Bear in mind that this category is in the tiny minority of Internet users.
For everyone else, the Internet is a practical necessity these days. (Not a bare necessity, but a practical necessity). Online, one can research just about anything. You can research political issues of every kind from what is going on behind the presidential campaign to what is really going on with your dollar (and TV does not want you to know). You can research a medical issue--you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, you can get a million articles pertaining to it and the scams associated with it. You can research entertainment in virtually everything from the most mainstream stars to the most obscure TV show from the 1940s. People can buy things online, from Christmas decorations in the middle of summer, to fluoride filters, to vitamins, to food, to silver and gold, to clothing and furniture, to cars, to vacations. Often, they can find the best deals online, especially on hotel rooms (even better than the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger is able to negotiate, for those attending the Grand Boasting Sessions).
Bottom line: If you can afford it, you can get even a little benefit from it without excessive aggravation, and you are not going to put it ahead of sleep and work, you are better off WITH the Internet. I got mine in 2006, and wish I would have gotten online in 1997 when it first became mainstream.
