The Basic human needs as laid out by Maslow's Hierarchy of needs starts with self actualization at the top that includes creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, authenticity etc. Then esteem, social needs (friends and family) and safety and security.
At the bottom are physiological needs that include air, water, shelter, food which i think in the current era should include the Internet.
Give me your thoughts..
The internet can help provide the basic intelligence to obtain other needs, but I don't think it is part of Maslow's hierarchy as a layer. It's more of a communication facilitator, in the sense of books, phones, and penned letters in the past. It is certainly helpful when it comes to obtaining needs in our society, but it is more of a convenience than a need because all of Maslow's other needs can also be had without the internet.
True thanks for the feedback
I hope I didn't come across as downplaying the significance of the internet and the previous forms of human communication. I do think the transfer of information is a vital thing. It's just hard to fit it into Maslow's hierarchy because it can influence the acquisition of every other need. I completely understand the idea of including it, however. I think Maslow might have assumed informational know-how as a given when he came up with his hierarchy. Maybe it should be the first item after all, as a subset of knowledge to enable the rest of the needs.
Great point for discussion however i feel its man making it a necessity but its not really. Spend a month away from the internet and you will realise that actually it is not essential for your wellbeing and growth. We learn so much from the internet academically but socially it can isolate us from the outside world. Arguably that can create an inclusive virtual world. In my humble opinion it is not a fundamental psychological need. In fact it can be too much for some people. I have friends who don't use social media. Lots of them, in fact some don't even use email. :-)
I think if we look at it from the macro level and as championed by the UN Human rights council as the right to internet access; that all people should be able to exercise their rights and enjoy freedom of expression and opinion and other fundamental human rights and as such the States should ensure internet access is broadly available and not unreasonably restrict it.
Without it there can still be wellbeing and growth but the wellbeing and growth would be greatly enhanced with it as well. Just like countries with more people that have internet access will be more developed than those with less that can access the Internet.
Being in the era of information and as more livelihoods continue to depend on the Internet as an income source i guess its getting closer to a physiological need.