Information technology is one of the branches of technology. It deals with collection, storing, processing, dissemination and retrieving of the stored information. In the modern world, the use of technology has been witnessed in many societies. There are many impacts of this technology in the society. The effects are both negative and positive. This research paper will analyze the effects that information technology has on the society.
Information technology has promoted education in the society. It is now possible for individuals to get their degrees even when at home. Through the internet, people are able to listen to their lectures online. They are able to do their research work and submit the assignments online. Technology has made study easy since people can now lean and at the same time work. Women specifically are able to carry out domestic chores, learn, work and take care of the children by the help of information technology (National research council, 1994).
Communication has been promoted by the advancement in technology. The new technology has brought about cheap and fast means of communication. The use of emails and mobile phones has made the communication process easy and cheap as compared to early days when people used to walk for long distances to deliver a letter.
The security that the society enjoys in the current world has been facilitated by the enhancement in information technology. Through this technology, it is now possible to have alarms in houses such that when there are dangers such as thieves, or fire outbreak, the alarm is heard from a distance and the necessary steps can be taken to take control of the danger. The use of alarms in vehicles makes it difficult for thieves to get away with the vehicles (Pandey, 2008).
The entertainment in the society has been changed by the inventions in information technology. In the current world, people are able to get entertainment from various sources. People can access internet, mobile phones and even television for their entertainment. In general, people in the society can now get entertainment anywhere at any time with the advancement in technology.
Information technology has led to creation of employment in the society. New courses that are related to information technology have emerged. People are now able to work online with the advancement of the technology (National research council, 1994). In addition, many jobs such as printing and photocopying have been facilitated by the advancement in information technology.
Even though there are made advantages that have been brought about by the advancement in information technology, there are some negative affects that have been witnessed in the society. First, the technology has led to unemployment. With technology, few workers are now required to receive process and store data in organizations (Pandey, 2008). This means that few people are employed as compared to the number that was employed before.
The other factor is that the technology has facilitated erosion of culture in the society among the youths. The access to culture of other people through the internet and television has made youths to copy the culture of others. The mode of dressing, the behavior and respect in the society has changed to a great extent.
The society has witnessed high level of crimes due to the advancement in technology. With the good method of communication, terrorists are now able to control their activities and hence manage to cause disastrous events that leave many members of the society dead ((National research council, 1994).).
Generally, it can be concluded that information technology is one of the advantageous technologies that is used in the society. It benefits the society in many ways. There are however many negative effects of the technology. Regardless of the negative effects, the use of information technology in the society is a vital factor.
References.
National Seminar on Impact of Information Technology on Society, Pandey, S. K., & Agrawal, A. P. (2008). Impact of information technology on society. Delhi: Wisdom Publications.
National Research Council (U.S.). (1994). Information technology in the service society: A twenty-first century lever. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press.
