The Internet has (1)_________ the way people interact with one another. Communication (2)_______ cities, states, and countries has never been easier, and an average person can instantly connect with friends, family, and strangers because of the (3)________ of the Internet. However, its popularity has decreased the need for face-to-face, in-person interaction. So the question is: does the Internet bring us closer together or push us (4)_______ apart? While the decline in importance of in-person interaction is an unfortunate (5)_____ effect of the Internet age, its technology provides enough social benefits to offset that. Firstly, the (6)______ of people that one can communicate with has increased tenfold since the advent of the Internet. Even if each individual communication isn't particularly meaningful, the potential for meaningful interaction is still much greater with the technology than without it. Secondly, the arrays of programs and applications that have developed in recent years have enhanced the Internet as a social tool. Face book has made it possible for people to meet each other briefly in person and then later become much more (7)_____ with each other online. Skype has made face-to-face conversations possible where they weren't before, keeping families and friends in closer (8)_____ when they can't be together in person. Though it's true that some people have allowed themselves to become more isolated from in-person contact (9)____ to the Internet, its technology and popularity have made it a net positive for the purpose of (10)________ people closer together.