Introduction
Every day new technological advances are being made, from last several years, culture is changing dramatically. The technology advancement can be seen in every field like education, communication, hospitals, offices, organizations, shopping, socialization etc. There are changes in the society and many of these are due to advancement and changes in technology. These days, instead of writing letters, emails, texts, and cell phones are available. Surveillance cameras can be used instead of keeping security man/women outside a mall or any subway. Due to all these advances in technology, people of all ages, including teenagers and children do not act well with social interaction. The advancement in technology has both pros and cons in today's society.
So much attention is being paid to the presence of the information technology these days. Our lives, these days is saturated with the presence of computers, television, cell phones, tablets, MP3 players, personal digital assistants etc. Many people use these technological advancements in a positive way, for learning, for facilitating research and for having an easy access to information. But, at the same time so much use of these information technologies makes our life dependent on these technologies and forces it move too fast. These days, children make use of technology in education, our social life is being impacted as face-to-face interaction is not much, electronic communication has been enhanced, we get faster information from the internet rather than processing or evaluating it. Thus, this report synthesizes the impact of technology on education, communication, socialization, humanization and shopping.
The report draws on following main sources of information: .
Impact of Technology on Education
These days, there are so many advancements in the technology in school. Students use mobile devices for schoolwork and use different tools for performing different tasks. Students, have their classes with no textbooks, but with ibooks and laptop computers. But the question that is haunting everyone today is; Adopting so much technology in school has any negative effects? The answer is obviously yes and it should be considered well by school-authorities and parents as well before adopting this agenda. Like, computers are helpful in providing quick information, so many quantities and numbers, but the kids are drawn away from the big picture by so making much use of this technology.
Children's imagination is a major part of their upbringing; imagination is one tool that helps children move towards the creative side. Due to technology, children are deprived of the imagination. Children are glued to the screen, rather than spending time on physical exercise, playing and imagining. With the availability of so many tools, children get best-fit solutions for their specific needs, they get more than the information they can handle. Another disadvantage of the technology being introduced in the schools is that children use laptops as gaming devices. Students' have so much interest in playing games on computers sitting at one place, rather than spending time with friends and playing some physical games.
Impact of Technology on Communication
With the advancement in technology, the once far and big world has been turned into a tiny village. We now are able to communicate to anyone on the other side of the world with the help of technology. Communication has been made very easy with the help of technology, whenever something urgent has to be conveyed to anyone, mobiles and emails are very helpful. The whole world has been brought so close with the advancement in technology and the better solution to any problem can be found with the help of exchange of thoughts.
We can keep in touch with the old friends, with the help of mobiles, emails, chats etc. which helps in strengthening our relationships. The use of mobiles and internet for communication has increased rapidly. There are very quicker and easier processes available like online chat, video conferencing, teleconferencing, emails, social networking sites etc. among many other tools available. The current generation is very interested in using emails, mobiles, chats, and social networking sites as the most popular means of communication.
Long-distance relationships are a great success now, because of the technology. There are so many chatting and dating websites available, video chats and social networking sites prove very helpful in keeping people in touch.
Impact of Technology on Socialization
The advancements in technology have led to de-socialization in the society. People now do not understand others and their own culture, familial relationships are no longer strengthened, face-to-face interactions and interpersonal communication amongst people is decreasing day by day. The development of technology has caused the distraction in people making them over-stressed and increasingly isolated. The use of social-networking sites can have both positive and negative impacts. "Facebook" can be considered as a means of entertainment and a means of communal and social activity. But, when people are internet addicted, they spend a lot of time in interaction with mobile devices, online media etc. as the new means of accessing and consuming these media are available.
The impact of technology on socialization can also be seen in organizations where the availability of electronic databases, chat groups, electronic bulletin boards, web pages of the organization etc. provide so many ways to seek information and communicate for their transition. The communication channels are even available for new-comers and they even do not socialize with others for seeking any information or for being friends.
Mobile media has influenced everyone in the society, where children between age 8-18 years consider it iconic to carry mobile phones in their hands. On an average, 33 minutes of every individual is spent on talking and around half-an-hour in receiving and sending text messages. A lot of time is spent on other mobile abilities like listening to music, playing games and surfing the internet. Thus, children spend their time on mobile media rather than interacting with friends or playing with them.
Television is also one of the choices for young people where they want to spend their time. On an average, a total of four and a half hours a day are spent on television. These days, in almost every room of the house, a television is available. Thus, it is very clear that presence of a number of televisions in any home impact the media use of the family and the way they socialize.
The essential interpersonal skills are not present in the current generation because face-to-face interaction is less and communication is mainly through texts and chats and thus, the grasping power of non-verbal communication amongst individuals is also reducing. The frequency of the get-togethers and social meetings have reduced considerably because of more interest in the electronic media.
Because of the advancement in the technology, people are addicted to the internet and mobile phones, which affect their health adversely. People are prone to anxiety disorders and feel isolated and lonely.
Impact of Technology on Humanization
Initially, technology was developed to serve one most important purpose, increase productivity. Now, the presence of automation, artificial intelligence, use of Electronic Medical Records in hospitals, Remote Controls etc. have led to the humanization of work and less need of humans for controlling/doing these activities.
Artificial Intelligence means the creation of software and smart machines that can understand and simulate human intelligence. Even in the production of goods and services, this technology is being implemented. With the advancement in technology, the human beings are being controlled by non-human technologies. The launch of "Siri" on iPhone 4s is one such example.
The voice-activated features are used to perform a variety of operations like scheduling meeting, sending messages, in completing other everyday tasks, in automation and devices where artificial intelligence has been incorporated. Thus, the need for human interaction is decreasing day-by-day.
In Hospitals also, The use of EMRs (Electronic medical records) have limited the interaction between patients and physicians, and the patients can now ask their questions from computer only. Also, the information for procedures and tasks to be done is also achieved through computers. More of the time of physicians i.e. 40% of their time is spent with computers rather than with patients with whom they spend only 12% of their time. For the diagnosis of any disease, doctors now depend on the computer programs. Doctors are under the control of computers which is a result of growing bureaucratic rules and controls. Thus, with the growth of technology everywhere, human interaction is decreasing and human beings are not being controlled by non-human technologies.
Impact of Technology on Shopping
Using the internet as a means for purchasing services or products is gaining immense popularity these days. Online shopping or Internet shopping is very popular now just because it is convenient and people find it easy to shop from their own houses or offices without moving from one shop to another for choosing their items. It is a kind of e-commerce through which buyers can get good products and services through a virtual shop on the internet.
Retail is the process where goods and services are brought to customers through multiple channels of distribution. In a mall, multiple retail stores operate from one place. The internet has offered so many advantages over retail stores and people are now more interested in purchasing through websites. Online stores offer hundreds of thousands of variety over retail stores that offer just 20-30 design of garments or few references on their shops. The internet offers 100 times more products than an average retailer can provide. Customers are satisfied and services are more easily available to them with online shopping.
According to a research conducted, there has been a considerable decrease in the turnover of the retailers in recent three years as compared to last years. Thus, the growth in technology has changed the shopping preferences of the general public also, as online shopping offers so many advantages to the user.
Conclusion
The time has come when it is essential for people to realize that technology can be both helpful as well as hurtful. We can be updated of current events with the help of technology, and have contact with friends and relatives with whom we are not able to communicate face-to-face, an area can be kept safe with the help of surveillance cameras in case of non-availability of the security guards and there are many more advantages of the technology. So, we should also understand that though technology is very useful, we need to avoid using it all the time. People need to socialize, have interpersonal communication. Too much technology in education should be avoided. As the technology is getting advanced day by day, people should realize this and be prepared for more advancement to come.
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