That wasn't the assertion. The assertion was that internet has become (read: "is considered by most to be") a basic requirement for participating in society. In

That wasn't the assertion. The assertion was that internet has become (read: "is considered by most to be") a basic requirement for participating in society. In other words, if you are not on the internet, you are not effectively participating in the function of society, because so much of that activity occurs over the internet.