In life today everything revolves around technology. New
devices are being developed that are making life today easier. However for
those who have trouble with technology may find life today much more
complicated than it was several years ago. Overall ICT has now affected many
groups of different people, how much they use it or even why they use the
technology they have.
With life today, many people have been able to develop more
in their life. Technology has made people with disabilities have an easier
life. Computers are there to reduce barriers that stop them from living a
normal life. They are now able to travel using mobility and can meet new
friends and communicate using social networks. Mobiles and computers help them
communicate with people they may not have been able to talk to on a regular
base, a few years ago. People with different disabilities can now do things
that they were once unable to do. People with upper limb disorders use
computers with their voice or single switches. Partially sighted people can get
the screen magnified. Deaf users are able to get subtitles and interpreters
that help them understand what is being said. However people with speech
impediments means they cannot use apps that require talking.
Elderly people may not be able to keep up to date with
the new technology in the world today. They may be not being able to adapt to
the changes that are happening in life because it isn’t what they are used to.
This could be due to them not being able to understand the new technology or
they may not like change and feel the world was more social and easier with
less ICT. On the other hand, technology will help the elderly to be able to
travel as well as communicate with family that may not have the time to see
them. Mobiles can also keep family informed if an incident happens. These
incidents may be minor or major but having a parent or family alerted about
what has happened, would let them know about the risks and dangers and if
anything serious has happened.
People who develop these devices, sell them or test them have
gained jobs. Jobs have also been gained as ICT technicians or help desks etc.
But people have lost jobs due to the new technology. Those who work in
manufacturing can now be replaced by technology; Factories now have fully
automated production lines, instead of hiring people to build things, computer
controlled robots are used. Robots are able to run day and night without
needing a break and don’t need to be paid. Even so, Robots cost a lot to buy
but in long term it saves money. However people have also gained jobs from
technology such as computer programmers; Software that is now used in
businesses is created by computer programmers. Hundreds of thousands of people
are now being employed in the software industry.
The increase in technology hasn’t been all positive;
People tend to choose online communication, rather than talking face to face
with others. This works because of the networks we now have such as WANs and
LANs. As well as simply emailing each other, they are able to video call so
people can see each other even being countries apart. Mobiles are become more
technical but even with the simplest mobile you are able to communicate from
all around the world but at a cost. The mobiles today can allow people to send
images, videos, communicate online and with some phones, like the IPhone with
Siri, allows people to use the mobile and its features by just talking. People
become more individual and can make them interested in theft, hacking,
pornography and online gambling. This can influence younger people all around
the world to be looking at inappropriate videos for their age, as well as
playing online gambling and becoming more interested in hacking accounts, even
for the simplest of games online. A computer will harm a user if they use it
for long hours frequently. Computer users can get bad posture, eyestrain, and
mental stress for spending too many hours staring at the computer screen.
The new technology being developed has also affected
education for younger people. Several years ago, people had to hand write and
post letters. In life today all letters a typed and printed or sent over email.
Teachers are now able to use interactive whiteboards that get the younger people
more involved in the lessons. Records of students are kept online in files,
reducing administration. Reports of students are now developed using the
technology they are given. Lessons are now organised with technology which
makes it a quicker and easier process rather than planning lessons for every
year. The technology in the younger generation’s life is helping them learn and
develop as people giving them more chances to learn about jobs and their
future. It also helps them as they are able to learn new skills which may help
them in the future jobs.
In my opinion I feel as if technology is developing too fast
for the world today. People are relying too much on today’s technology.
Compared to last century when we didn’t have this technology, crime rates were
down as well as families and friends were more social in person rather than
today’s society in which we communicate over networks. On the other hand, I
think that technology has helped the world and its development, for example
with education, people with disabilities and communication. People are now able
to do some activities that they were unable to do a few years ago.
People who have access to all of your information can
identity theft. If a criminal gains access to your computer by hacking it, they
are then able to find personal information about you, this could include bank
details and passport information. This could be critical if found as it can be
used in many ways. Money theft as well as terrorist could use passport
information to get in and out of a country. 
