Name:
Institution:
Course:
Lecturer:
Date:
Technology in communications
Introduction
Technology in communication systems and devices is growing at an exceedingly high rate in such a way that inventions and modifications to previous inventions are developing everyday. For example, if one purchases a device such as an expensive mobile phone that is popular on the market, a week later, inventors develop another version of the device with additional features. Growth in advancement may be advantageous in terms of bearing cost, but also encourages dishonesty and shutting down of human relationships. This has posed a great danger to the human society and the environment we live in. (IDG Enterprise, 1980).
Discussion
Technology can be of great advantage in learning institutions as students can communicate easily and gain access to any kind of information they need. However, as a result, it endangers their ability to create healthy relationships with others because they are unable to have a personal attachment with other people they meet in their life. For example, unidentified messages over the internet disturb the social atmosphere in our environment because they assume the identification of people and this denies human beings the right to being responded to or appreciated in the expected manner (Information Resources Management Association, & Khosrowpour, 2000).
The modern world inherited by the young generation is different from that which existed in their parent’s time. Young people are becoming more familiar with technological output such as emails, music, videos and images to the extent of causing a social threat to their development stages. As generations are changing through modern technology to upgrade and improve future life conditions, the gap between the older and newer age groups continues to widen. As a result, the newer generation finds it hard to have any interest in knowing their history, which is very important for them to determine their future. (Lerone Bennett, 1978)
Media technology denies the aspect of the healthy communication including actual presence, voice, and the normal interaction that should take place between human beings. It leads to loss especially in the ability to acquire communication skills, both oral and written. (Higgs, Light & Strong, 2000) For example, children who own gadgets such as blackberrys, laptops or music players have less communication with their guardians. This leads to detachment in relationships between them, hence a negative impact on their social environment. In communication, the information generated by systems is inconclusive, as there is no certainty in who the owner of the data is or whether it is credible.
The invention of online systems has also led to reduction of jobs because online systems cater for functions that workers originally had before they lost their jobs. For example, the local mail industry has lost its past market because the online mail system industry has taken over. Workers who are computer illiterate are no longer required to work for such companies that adopt the new system. The heavy use of technology, such as the internet, introduces negative effects to the social development of an individual because they may suffer from depression, abandonment, and decrease in positive healthy communication within the family setting (Charness, Parks, & Sabel, 2001).
In the education environment, electronic communication is of a great disadvantage to the instructors due to an increase in workload. Students send many emails including suggestions, questions and assignments such that it becomes difficult to handle them single-mindedly as a teacher. (Benjamin, 2005) Communication technology also leads to social conflict in human relationships. For example, in a marriage, a wife may have trust issues with her husband and spy on his laptop to check for any messages that suggest infidelity. As a result, the husband’s relationship with the woman becomes strained and may end in divorce in the future.
Dependency on computer screens also leads to relationship issues such as mistrust, envy, pride, dishonest and in worst cases, domestic violence. (Melhem, Tandon & Morrell, 2009) Communication technology has also caused human overdependence on it. Although contributing positively to the economic environment, man has developed an unhealthy obsessive attitude towards technology. It is also responsible for the destruction of the ecological environment because the waste and chemicals used to make technological gadgets are of great danger to natural elements such as oxygen, which leads to unreliable weather patterns. This has led to climatic disasters such as floods and drought resulting in problems such as poverty, war and hunger. (Atomic Scientists of Chicago, 1972)
Technology that facilitates the spread of information across networks causes environmental and human health hazards. For example, satellite cables that are fixed on the rooftops of different buildings, release radiation waves to the atmosphere that encourage the spread of dangerous diseases like cancer. In our modern day culture, people are becoming more dependent on receiving information through modern devices hence leading to an increase in exposure to radiation (Claire Stern, 1986).
Modern advancement in communication has encouraged immorality in our society. Information generated from the media through technological devices such as computers and mobile phones are a threat to the young generation. Some information produced may not be of any value and may bring immorality among the children. Decent education should result from having the value of self-discipline and this becomes difficult when children are exposed to all kinds of information that are beyond their age limit. (Abdul Khabir, 2006) For example, children who own laptops and mobile phones with access to the internet can gain access to information that would destroy their moral development. A good example would be internet sites that show pornography, violence and vulgar language.
The process of development, learning and growth should not only involve being educated in an environment with controlled processed information, but an atmosphere where expression of feelings, attitudes and understanding is encouraged. No modern device can replace the real presence of a human being (Micheal Shallis, 1985) For example, a child who spends the whole day playing video games at home has the disadvantage of not taking part in interacting with other children, which he would were he to play practical games out of the house.
Communication technology can lead to issues of self-esteem, especially in a school environment, where children are categorized into different social classes. For example, a student may want to associate himself with a group of students from rich families who own expensive gadgets such as state of the art laptops and mobile phones. The student is trapped into deception because he is not interested in forming friends, but enjoying their modern gadgets. Modern communication can also lead to insecurity issues. At times, there is no guarantee that personal information stored in this device has maximum protection of its privacy. This allows people to commit illegal crimes such as fraud and theft.
Conclusion
As much as advancements in communication technology are occurring and making our lives easier, it is important for us to know the limit especially in allocating time to them and to other parts of our life such as family, friends and work. Technology can only be effective if used and controlled in the right manner. However, in the case of children, it is advisable that they be brought up to be able to differentiate between personal human relationships and relationships formed based on technology.
References
Abdul Khabir (2006, September). Modern IT education and Moral Values. Pratiyogita Darpan, 1, 3
Atomic Scientists of Chicago (1972). Bulletin of the atomic scientists. Chicago: Educational Foundation for Nuclear Science Higgs, E., Light, A., & Strong, D. (2000). Technology and Engineering: Technology and the good life? Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Benjamin, A. (2005). Differentiated instruction using technology: a guide for middle and high school teachers. New York: Eye on Education.
Charness, N., Parks, D. C., & Sabel, B. A. (2001). Communication, technology and aging: Opportunities and challenges for the future. New York: Springer Pub. Co.
Claire Stern. (1986, 12 May). Special to the Network world. Network World, 3.
IDG Enterprise. (1980, November 3). Dangers of New Technology: On-Line Technology Seen Promoting Deception. Computer World, 14, 45.
Information Resources Management Association., & Khosrowpour, M. (2000). Challenges of information technology management in the 21st century. Hershey, Pa: Idea Group Pub.
Lerone Bennett Jr. (1978, August). Lost-Found Generation: New group with new values changes racial dialogue. Ebony, 33, 10.
Melhem, S., Tandon, N., & Morrell, C. (2009). Information and communication technologies for women’s socio-economic empowerment. Washington, DC: World Bank.
Micheal Shallis. (1985, January 31). Computers in education. New Scientist, 105, 39.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]