side effects of technology

side effects of technology

Technology

The period from the 1990s to date that experienced technological changes are referred to as the information age. These changes have been experienced in forms of entertainment, research work, commerce, and transport amongst others. The internet has played a significant role in the technological developments as although computers were well distributed in the 1980s, and were mostly connected through the use of a modem. The internet, was developed in the 1970s by the Defense Department and was mostly used by scientists and related complex fields. The military advisers suggested that in the case of an attack the internet would enable the control of a computer from any location.       Due to the speed of the internet, Fiber-optics was developed that led to the development of companies such as INTEL. Later, World Wide Web was introduced and companies could create online pages that enabled them to sell their products online with operators at the comfort of their pajamas. Despite their benefits critics of technology have listed unending disadvantage.

The adverse and most noted side effect of technology explored by numerous literature is their effect to face to face communication and the quality of life. A research conducted by Drago Emily of Elon University questioned the severity of technology in today’s everyday lives. The author shows the statistics stating that “Per the U.S. Census, 76% of households reported having a computer in 2011, compared with only 8% in 1984” (14). A majority of these users are however young people, including teenagers up to the prime of life 30-40 years. A research conducted on 100, random chosen students showed that all of them owned a smart device, and explained that they all leave their houses with it to any destination. 60% of them stated that they check on their phones constantly even in meetings, classes, and in the middle of personal and social interactions.

Other effects of technology is observed with the exposure of young people to violence and other vices through the participation in games, and watching movies. Since children and young people are easily molded by their environment, they are trained to think that violence towards others is a normal act. Teenagers have developed behaviors such as doing drugs, stealing, smoking, and sexual immoralities as long as they are passed across as “cool.” Moreover, the factor of violence depicted in these movies is explained to instill fear as young people would rather type messages than talk to people to avoid unpredictable reactions (Johnson, Amy M., et al). The method to combat these side effects is to increase the awareness of the effects of technology to people. People that are educated on the effects of technology are more inclined to practice self-control in their use of these gadgets. Awareness should be circulated both in schools, and in the social media platforms amongst other areas.

Technology is also reported to impact and affect the growth of children in the current era. Studies show that the development of children mentally, physically, and socially will be retarded due to their lifestyles that are intertwined with technology. It is explained that today, children learn to operate computers, and iPad playing complex games, digital cameras, software applications, and interact on social media before they learn to ride bikes, tie their shoe laces, and use basic communication skills. In America it is estimated that 40% of children are exposed to technology and their parents encourage constant use (Collins, and Richard). However, constant exposure to technological devices often causes isolation characterized by lack of communication with other people including family and friends that are detrimental for normal growth. Social media predisposes the risk of developing Neurosis a behavioral and psychological disorder.

Today, technology is deeply embodied in learning that their advantages often shadow their disadvantages. A majority of subjects in school in developed countries are explained to conduct their lessons using one form of technology. Resultantly, people are unable to solve even simple mathematics problem without relying to a calculator as they are accustomed to (Turkle, 172). Children specifically should be guarded in their exposure as they are more vulnerable because it not only hinders their development but also because they are the future (Collins, and Richard). Some observers have advised avoiding the use of technology all together. However, the approach is not absolute as in the present world that anticipates the introduction of Internet of Things, where technology will inter-live with people seems impossible. Moreover, it is hard to sideline the advantages of technology alongside noting their disadvantages. Presently, people are not only aware but have also experienced firsthand the effects of technology. Training children to co-exist with technology with minimal dependence to avoid addiction. Parents and teachers should monitor children when online. Moreover, parents should take time to indulge in recreational activities to engage them in social activities to reduce the impact of technology.

Critics of technology also note that these devices have increased the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and other forms of group discrimination. It is explained that society today is more class-centric more than any other time as the material possession that one needs to own to belong. The scholars explain that people who cannot afford smart gadgets today or the monthly fees that is required to access the internet are segregated upon in the society (Johnson, Amy M., et al). Technology even segregate people with the example of Apple’s Siri that cannot identify accents as it is only accustomed to America’s English. Technology has added a new aspect that shows economic discrepancies amongst members of the society. Similarly, social media platforms are being used for hate speech and recruiting new members against groups such as racial segregation.

The negative effects of social media to the social arena is observed when platforms used for communication are instead used to plan and conduct violent acts such as terrorism and to insight political violence. The increase of the use of digital material has also opened the use of explicit content to children including pornography together with enabling predators to access children and making it difficult to combat these issues (Collins, and Richard). It is an increasing concern that the free platforms such as Facebook are used by pedophiles to find victims. Research shows that young girls, especially young girls who are innocently posting personal photos and personal information such as identity expose themselves to danger.

The research conducted in Elon University showed that students who are aware of the effects of these technologies are more inclined to manage their effects. In a descriptive response to the perceived effects of technology to face to face communication, one of the students stated that although communication technology are important, they are detrimental when they affect the presence of a person in face to face communications (Drago, 15). Some of the students explained that with awareness of the effects of these gadgets they intentionally leave their smart gadgets at home or avoid using them unless when it is used to enhance the quality of social interaction, for example, when showing others a funny video.

The use of technology has diversified and reached its peak in the current centuries. However, despite their numerous disadvantages, they accompany numerous disadvantages to children, young people and adults. Children and teenagers are the most vulnerable groups as they are at their development stage. Research shows that young people are rather addicted to technology that they cannot conduct basic cognitive and physical activities that are integral to their growth. Young people similarly report an inability to socialize with others on face to face grounds due to dependency to technology. Social media platforms are used to spread propaganda, promotes vices and violence and open a space for pedophiles to access underage. Some scholars suggest abandoning the use of technology altogether, which is unreasonable. However, an increase of awareness and parents and teachers monitoring children to avoid over dependence is the effective solution.