But, as internet capabilities continue to grow, what do the next 25 years have in store? As it stands today, we are lacking in co-operative international efforts when it comes to internet governance.
Such governance will be crucial, as the Web continues to evolve, if we want to maximise its benefits and minimise its unwanted side effects, particularly in three key areas that greatly impact society:
The internet and the World Wide Web have already transformed the world in many ways. Few would have predicted, 25 years ago, the progress we've already made. We can predict much of the likely technological innovation in the next 25 years, but how these powerful technologies are used will depend critically on the decisions society makes - or chooses not to make. While the possibilities seem endless, it is up to human beings to decide which changes are desirable, and which should be resisted.