About the Impact of Technology upon Society

Abstract

Technology has improved the general living standards of many people in the last few decades. Without technology, people would still be living within their geographical confines of their societies. Examples of technological advancements that have made life easier include things like the Internet, phones, tablets, TV, PS and movie and video games. However, these are just the positive attributes of technology; there are also a number of negative effects that it has brought upon the society in general. This research paper seeks to discuss these negative impacts of technology upon the society and the general way of living. Arguably, some of these technological advancements have increased stress levels and isolation within the society. As it appears, technology has had a rational impact on the meaning of “social”. It has touched many different aspects of life including education, communication, transport, war, and even fashion. Many in the society are worried about the rapid transformation in human attention.

Introduction

The term technology lightens up the faces of many people especially the young generation. Life has improved in the last few decades since technology has evolved at an incredibly fast rate. It is now hard to imagine life without technology, which includes things like the Internet, phones, tablets, TV, PS and movie and video games. While people embrace this positive attributes of technology, they tend to forget many negative effects it has brought upon the society in general. One would quickly think thank such technological tools have improved human lives because they have enabled people to gain an understanding of other civilizations, meet with different people on a global scale, preserve or reinforce familial relationships, be in touch with the rest of the society, and help individuals to become socially adroit. Nevertheless, some of these technological aspects increase stress levels and isolation in the society. As it appears, technology has had a rational impact on the meaning of “social”.

Technological experts are worried about the rapid transformation in human attention. They have also raised alarm concerning people’s future ability to deal with intricate challenges. In view, the impact of a different future because of multitasking and short-term mindset will be negative because the social encouragement for profound engagement will eventually come to a halt. Undeniably, technology has also changed the way teachers teach in classrooms. Ever since its introduction, various efforts have been channeled towards helping educators and the different means of implementing such in the classroom situation. They had voiced concern with the introduction of the use of technologies in the classroom such as laptops, handheld technologies, computers, digital movies, and video content.

Students nowadays face constant exposure to different forms of media, which then impacts on the way they use information and interact with each other. These new technological advancements have drastically changed the teacher student dynamics. The central role that has always been played by the classroom instructor is fading away. Now the instructor acts as a middleman linking information to students. Students are now actively involved with the procurement, designing, rearranging, and displaying of vital information. By any mean, the introduction of technologies has minimized the rank of teachers in the classroom situation. This essay looks at various negative effects of technology on all aspects of human life.

Negative Effects of Technology

Undeniably, the numerous advancements in technology being churned out every day have been helpful. The last few decades have seen technology evolve at an incredibly fast rate unimagined before. Cell phones are now performing tasks that were originally assigned to a computer. It is now hard to imagine life without things like the Internet, email, Facebook, or other chat features on phones and tablets. Other technological gadgets like TV, PS and movie or video games have also evolved over time, each offer its consumers a variety of choices and novel possibilities. However, despite the publicity and positive advancements and achievements brought about by modern technology, many do not realize the impact and negative effects it has brought to people and society in general. Arguably, a number of technological advancements have adversely affected definite industrial sectors, like the print media. These advancements have even caused several businesses to shut down forever or shift their scope of business because there is a lack of demand for their type of goods and services.

Newspaper businesses and local agencies have been hit hard; some have been forced to shut down or lay off a large chunk of their employees because news these days is readily available on the Internet, especially on the social media. Several companies and other businesses now depend deeply on digital printing means for magazines, brochures, as well as, other advertisement supplies they require, thereby putting conventional, lithographic printing in a tough spot. Music lovers do not have to purchase their favorite singles or albums from music stores anymore, many files are readily accessible over the Internet, a phenomenon that has forced big music store companies to shut down or shift their mode of businesses. Consequently, the movie industry has also suffered since consumers can now download or purchase movies online, which has decreased DVD sales.

There is no denying that technology has its positive attributes, but when looking at the way it has impacted on the society, especially the way people interact with each other, then it is safe to state that technology has a negative impact. Modern technology has changed the way people interact nowadays. One can communicate with whomever at any given time using the many social media platforms present to date. This sounds like a helpful idea, but it has created a distinct barrier because people have ceased to interact the on a personal basis like the traditional way. As a result, people are becoming confined to their homes, and do not want to interact with the outside world. Many fun games like football, basketball or tennis can now be played online; therefore, people have ceased to anticipate going outside and playing such games with their friends. While technology is vital in making life easier, interaction with the rest of the society is important; becoming desensitized to the public is harmful.

Without looking at the bigger picture, one would quickly think that these technological tools have enabled people to gain an understanding of other civilizations, meet with different people on a global scale, preserve or reinforce familial relationships, be in touch with the rest of the society, and help individuals to become socially adroit. Nonetheless, some technological aspects increase stress levels and isolation in the society. It is common nowadays to be involved in relationships via technology, but at times, the quantity of such associations leaves individuals involved feeling somehow empty. Technology has had a philosophical impact on the meaning of the term “social”. If it has not already happened; therefore, it is crucial to redefine socially tolerable and suitable behaviors in view of virtual and digital interaction. At this point in time, very few have critically thought about the novel social realities that have come with technology, as well as, the meaning of these realities in view of the person as well as the society.

A recent study about information technology and students pointed out that a majority of undergraduates used social networking sites, including Twitter, Face book, MySpace, and Instagram, among many more others. About 85 percent of the respondents stated that they used such social platforms on a daily basis. This report points out one defining factor: that the use of these sites is on an upward trend. Notably, using these sites has both positive and negative impacts. It enables long lost pals or family members to reconnect and keep in touch. This is convenient considering relationships that are usually geographically alienated. However, one should not look beyond their noses to pinpoint the issues that relate to social networking sites. Currently, people are debating on whether it is real that people are addicted to the Internet.

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