Use of new technologies, such as, the internet increases the ability to access employment, thus facilitating upward social mobility (Kenyon, Rafferty and Lyons 154). However, social mobility, in this situation, creates a negative effect on job opportunities. First, competition for the top jobs becomes stiff, since no one wants to obtain a low-paying job, due to their desire of attaining upward mobility. Second, individuals shun low paying jobs due to fear of a downhill move in social class. Besides, advancements in technological innovation are making jobs disappear, increasingly. New technology has led to the invention of machines that have the capacity to perform functions that could earlier on, be only performed by human beings. Thus, technology is abolishing some vital steps in the social mobility hierarchy. Several groups find themselves dislodged by new technology, leading to a decline in their social and economic status. For instance, the introduction of hand pumps displaced many water carriers, in Northern India.
However, use of new technologies to enhance upward mobility, through creating more lucrative jobs for different segments in the society, has potential to create more social problems. This is because when more people in a community experience upward social mobility, societal anomie develops. Societal anomie describes a situation where in the principles of conduct, or values of a community start to erode, before new standards and values get created. Persons in an anomic society may experience emotional distress, and as they lack a sense of purpose. To counteract this problem, the same technologies can be used to educate people on the significance of upholding their societal principles and values, despite changes in social rankings.
Works Cited
Kenyon, Shilom, Jacob Rafferty and Gilbert Lyons. “Social Exclusion and Transport in the UK: A Role of Virtual Accessibility in the Alleviation of Mobility-Related Social Exclusion?” Journal of Social Policy 32.3 (2003):317-338.Print
