Social Impacts of Increased Use of Information Technology

Performing any analysis using a manual process is time demanding and inefficient. However, assuming people could design effective computer systems to carry out such tasks, they may conserve tremendous energy and cost (Mgunda, 2019). Such computer systems are part of information technology used to produce, collect, alter, disseminate data. Any machine that can synthesize information is considered a component of information technology. Also, they reduce human mistakes that may arise whenever tasks are performed manually. They also increase accuracy if the information technology is designed with specific needs or created to solve specific problems (Burbules & Callister, 2018). Information technologies have datasets that hold massive amounts of content that can be retrieved quickly, manually, or over the internet.

Information technology influences how people interact, study, and also how to reason. It benefits societies and influences how individuals connect regularly. The current civilization is heavily reliant on technology, where advances in information technologies affect decision-makers on economic output, intellectual protection, privacy laws, and the cost and accessibility of data (Matta-Machado et al., 2017). Decisions made today will have long-term ramifications, and consideration should be given to potential socioeconomic implications.  For instance, e-commerce online, a modern trade method, is perhaps one of the internet’s significant effects of information technology growth. E-commerce can significantly affect commercial activity and the social setting.

Social Impacts of Increased Use of Information Technology

The advancement of information technology has opened the path towards various advances that affect society. With the digitalization of data, many firms embrace technological instruments’ advantages to boost their chances. Information technology has proven critical in transforming this process into a durable and profitable commercial venture. Advances in data technology have drastically altered people’s livelihoods. It enables firms to examine the information and develop their business strategy appropriately (Quamar et al., 2020). Using information technology ensures the information evaluation is reliable, maximizing profitability (Burbules & Callister, 2018). Information technology is commonly regarded as the supporting innovation of the twenty-first generation. Hence, it continues to impact numerous parts the society

Positive Societal Impacts of the Increased Use of Information Technology

            The use of IT has improved the efficiency and productivity of the educational system. It has improved the students’ learning in schools. Education techniques that have been established, like the substitution of textbooks by smartphones and computers, have rendered this approach simpler (Ratheeswari, 2018). Furthermore, the introduction of internet-learning systems has enabled learners to study from the comfort of their residences. Such networks could be a valuable option for students absent from class or who struggle to follow along with their professors in school. Those internet platforms allow learners to study lessons using easier and better specific descriptions at any time, which strengthens the learning experience and contributes to improved academic outcomes for most learners (Pradhan et al., 2018). Infirmation technology has empowered instructors and learners, reshaping tutoring and studying systems from heavy instructor dominated  to learners-centered, resulting in enhanced studying improvements for students by generating and enabling chances for students to create their creative thinking, conflict resolution abilities, instructional reasoning ability, effective and interactions

            In healthcare, medical gadgets have advanced dramatically. First, healthcare services have gotten more effective by improving and integrating healthcare instruments that make healthcare delivery easier and safer. Because of information technology areas such as intelligent machines, healthcare has experienced robot-assisted remote operations the deployment of synthetic components such as synthetic arms, legs, and eventually artificial cardio-aortic valves (Olofin, 2020). Secondly, the value of information systems in telemedicine cannot be overstated. Electronic healthcare information advancements help improve the productivity, efficacy, and dissemination of medical services. Society data has become increasingly important to healthcare professionals and the public health sector as controlled service systems evolve (Akram & Kumar, 2017). The ability to communicate this data over communication channels, especially medicine, must transform the availability of medical services for underprivileged communities, both in the countryside and urban. Considering health data could be extremely important to jobs and insurance policy, such changes would generate significant issues about privacy and confidentiality.

            Some scholars have compared the influence of information technology on society to the transformation of the globe from enormous regions dividing individuals and families to a highly tiny town comprising the whole globe’s populace, which is known as globalization. Before the advent of digital information technology, interactions across humans may take weeks or even months. Realtime interaction between individuals in a different location has grown to a quick and straightforward procedure because of advances in information systems, allowing immediate texting, cellphone conversations, and internet chats (Ratheeswari, 2018). Information technology has altered everyone’s conceptions of existence, causing significant disruption in some concepts and beliefs. Numerous conceptions have shifted in our minds as a result of contemporary technology.

            Technological advancements have a significant impact on a country’s political scene. These technologies are becoming frequently being employed in the election process to sway popular opinion and, in particular, engage youthful individuals in politics. Politicians utilize technology in various methods to impact the development of various persons in their particular fields. Internet, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are strong social media channels that may quickly boost leaders’ popularity (Majeed, 2018). For most political campaigns, information technology is a significant factor. Politicians may use technologies to acquire finances, garner political backing, and invest less time campaigning and promoting their election.

Negative Societal Impacts of the Increased Use of Information Technology

            In the education sector, although the introduction of technologies has enhanced the amount of material presented in less amount time and has improved learners’ ability to visualize this knowledge, an overdependence on digital information technology in schools has a desensitizing impact. Education has become wrenched from the sphere of individual endeavors and mutated into a technology monster that progressively reclaims the field’s essence (Burbules & Callister, 2018).  This ‘monster’ is found in various places and at several stages of schooling, even pre-packaged curriculum, which a specific program’s instructor does not prepare (Mgunda, 2019). Educators offer lectures from a distance at universities and colleges while e-learning, for example, teachers deliver courses from a distance, and pupils are obliged to engage with computers instead of humans.

            Technology has resulted in significant job loss throughout the world. More employments are anticipated to be affected in the coming years as more businesses use contemporary technologies. Experts believe that technology is the greatest danger to humans. Individuals in several areas such as production, banking, and transportation, among others, confront an uncertain future. Machine learning and modern technology need people to upgrade their knowledge and abilities to remain viable as technologies and mechanization replace low-skilled people (Pradhan et al., 2018). If a corporation does not substitute human labor using technology, it is vulnerable to damages due to severe competitive rivalries that employ technology. As a result, it is unavoidable for businesses to keep up with technology. Low-skilled individuals would be the first to be laid off in this approach. As a result, economic disparities are growing.

            Vast amounts of information are collected from every one of us each day. Through the cookies which become logged onto our laptops whenever we access a webpage to our financial data whenever we complete a purchase, numerous aspects of our privacy are preserved on technological methods such as HDD, SSD, or cloud (Majeed, 2018). Somebody could discover our private details, such as our whereabouts, our work, and who are our nearest friends when such information is compromised just once. What is worse alarming is how this information remains accessible online, despite the lack of a privacy breach. While it may appear strange, it is neither illegal for a site such as TruePeopleSearch to obtain information from public databases if someone is looking for somebody. One may obtain the information by emailing these websites.

What We Can Do to Mitigate the Negative Societal Impacts of Information Technology

            Keep an eye on and restrict the usage of technology. It is critical to understand how much and how individuals utilize technology equipment. Various control mechanisms impose varied constraints on screen time and reliance on technology. Taking a break from the use of digital technology is an excellent approach to mitigating the harmful impacts since it allows people to prioritize and focus on themselves (Akram & Kumar, 2017). Organizations should focus on investing and training their staff to be competent to complete tasks that machines can also accomplish. In these cases, relying on human labor can be easy, and this can help individuals keep their jobs. Furthermore, one of the biggest three ICT concerns in education and industry is a lack of appropriate training. Quality staff, employee, and teacher training in the education sector can reduce rates of technological overdependence.

Conclusion

IT affects practically everyone who has exposure to it, and the web has revolutionized society and how people operate. IT connects individuals from all over the globe so that they may speak with one another (Lobo et al., 2019). It provides a possibility to improve interaction, connect with different individuals online, create friendships, exchange information online, and expand educational options. People must learn to use various computer technologies to utilize information technology efficiently. People’s new understanding will result in an upskilling impact. Technology has removed geographical constraints, allowing individuals to interact well. IT devices have improved human lives and made it easier and more enjoyable, yet using IT requires knowledge of data, entertainment, and technology (Ratheeswari, 2018). IT may have a significant influence on our life, but we must be cautious while utilizing it since it may have a detrimental effect on us. We must be prudent in the way we use these gadgets.