Positive and Negative Effects of Technology in Various Spheres of Life
Today’s technology has become so advanced that people have become accustomed with communicating and using technology. Of course there is both positive and negative effects of technology and in this essay some pros and cons of technology in nowadays world are presented. Many effects of it are discussed here as they are happening from the common use of technology and as years go by technology has advanced and is take over. Many families are no longer having family’s dinners where they have intellectual face to face conversations. It has become normal for people to be in the same room and not speak in person because it is easier to communicate through technology. On another hand technology has advanced to the point where people can use a device to read a book instead of stopping by a library to pick one up. Many people prefer using devices to read instead of picking up a paper books. There are positive and negative effects of technology such as the way people communicate, the change in education, and the change in medicine.
Some positive effects that technology has had on communication would be being able to communicate with a mass group of people, family and friends who live long distance as well as communication for the disabled. Technology has made it easier for large numbers of people who may be in school or running a business to effectively communicate using email or Skype. Another means of communication would be using social media. This would be ideal to keep in touch with family and friends long distance. An example of technology being used to communicate would be a person who is deployed overseas keeping gin contact with family and friends. This is a faster way to communicate than the old fashion way of sending letters. Lastly technology has a positive effect of communication for the disabled. For example people with loss of hearing can communicate using specialized computers and programs, to help give them a voice.
Some negative effects that technology can have on communication is that technology is often attributed to the characteristics of the technology itself. For example Electronic mail, for instance, filters out personal and social cues and provides new capabilities not found in traditional media, and it has been argued that these factors have consequences such as “flaming” and depersonalization. The use of technology can cause someone to use inappropriate behaviors when communication. Some will communicate in ways that are different than how they would communicate face to face with a person. Studies show that forty three percent of young people who are exposed to online hostility have experienced cyber bullying.
Technology has effected education in a positive way by allowing students to learn information in different ways as well as allowing for flexible learning schedules. For example teaching are using tablets, apps, videos even interactive white boards in class rooms as a learning tool. According to a 2014 pew research study “fifty eight percent of American adults have a smart phone, thirty two prevent own an e-reader and forty two own a tablet.” As Kevin C. Costley stated in his essay, The Positive Effects of Technology on Teaching and Student Learning, “We are an evolving technological society and in many ways have become dependent on its use. Thus, the use of technology, and teaching students… to use it, has become a high priority in… public schools.”
Some negative effects technology has on education are that people are using fewer basic skills and some are experiencing technology difficulties. Technology has affected people from learning basic writing, reading, math and communication skills, These skills are important in day-to-day living and working life. For example when people communicate via text compared to writing a letter or paper many use abbreviations and slang. The way a person speaks face to face should be different when writing. Another negative effect technology has on education is that technology is able to experiences malfunctions or difficulties. For example if a teacher is using a touch screen white board to preset daily work and the white boards go out because of a systematic issue, the teacher has to be prepared to deliver the assignment in a different way or the assignment may be delayed until the white boards are repaired.
Technology can also have an effect on health. Some positive effect technology has effected health would be that results in test are reflecting predominantly positive results. Technology is so advanced that doctors are able to use it to diagnosed disease as well as find cures. Studies have shown that recent literature of heath information technology was reviewed and ninety two percent of the articles stated that technology has a positive effect. There can also be some negative effects from technology such as musculoskeletal problems. For example is someone is using their phones constantly they are not holding their head in a natural position more than likely they are in a forward- leaning position. This position puts stress on your neck, shoulders and spine. A study done in 2017 found a clear association between self-reported addiction to Smartphone use and neck problems. There are many causes and effects technology has had on the way people communicate with one another, the effects it has on education as well as health.
To end up, there are both positive and negative effects of technology that affect our health conditions, the quality of social life and communication, the process of education and so on. Technology has effected work, schools and overall social/communication skills.
