How does ICT affect our society today?

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.