Communications Technology
Introduction
I will be doing an essay on the issues surrounding Communication Technology. I will be covering different areas such as the advantages/disadvantages, how it affects our personal and public life. I will also be talking about the data protection act and the copyright act.
Advantages of communication technology
Communicating- By using social networks such as Facebook or twitter you can send messages to friends and family even in different countries for free. You can use Skype to video call them too. This is far cheaper than phoning abroad.
Ebanking-Thanks to technology you can now do all your banking online. This saves you a lot of time as you do not have to stand in a que. It is open 24/7 so you can check your account at any time.
Ecommerce- You can also do all your shopping online. From clothes shops to grocery stores you can order and buy your items online. You can even book a holiday. EBay is another great website for buying and selling online. You can either bid on the products or buy them straight away. You can sell your own products on this site too.
ELearning- This is a great website that can teach you any subject you wish to learn all from the comfort of your home.
The internet is available 24/7.
Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system. This means that we can not only share information quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries. The world has developed into a global village due to the help of information technology allowing countries like Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other. (Small business bible)
Disadvantages of Communication Technology
Cyber Bullying: Children are now been bullied not just at school but at home too because of technology. Kids are now been verbally abused and humiliated through social networking sites. They can upload pictures or videos that the victim might not want to be seen. Also bullies can leave nasty comments on their webpage.
Socialising Skills: Some people actually believe that they are losing their social skills as they are regularly chatting online. They believe some are becoming withdrawn and actually get shy while having to talk face to face because they are just not use to doing it anymore.
Lack of context: As people are communicating regularly through text messages sarcasm can easily be misread as there is no vocal tone and you no facial expressions. This can lead to misunderstandings.
Writing skills: Some people say they are losing their writing skills as they are texting so fast they start to misspell words.
Jobs affected: the type of people that would be affected is bank tellers as they are talking in machines and they also have 0nline banking so there is less people going into banks so that means there is no need for bank tellers. So the banks are saving money by buying machines to do the work.
Addiction: Some people get addicted to the web and this can cause social isolation.
As more students acquire cell phones, iPods, and gaming systems, technology's impact on effective communication is becoming more pronounced. As the District Chronicles reports, teachers attempting to convey messages about lessons and textbooks find students are texting, playing, or listening to music. Not only does this mitigate the teacher's ability to communicate lessons, but it hurts future communicative interaction between the teacher and student because of the lack of respect it conveys. (eHow)
The Impact CT has on personal life
In case you want to know how technology affects our society then you just need to think of the past days when we had no modern means of transport, no computer, no food processor. A person had to spend a lot of time on traveling. Women were bound to grind spices with their hands or simply high physical activity was required in old days. Our routine life completely has dramatically changed with the advent of high tech machines, modes of communication and transport. Life becomes easier and more comfortable than before. It seems that world is at our finger tips. (Importance of technology)
I think the Internet has had a major impact on private life. Through social networking sites family and friends can keep in touch for almost no cost. Instead of paying a lot of money on phone calls abroad you can now Skype your loved ones for free. Social networking sites are also great for disabled people who cannot get out of the house to meet friends. By using the search engine ‘Google’ you will find an answer for any question. You can save digital photos to your computer and email them to family or friends to see. Many stay at home mam or dads can now work from home as well as spending time with their children. You can order your shopping online and have it delivered right to your door. This saves a lot of time. In my opinion communications technology has had a great impact on people’s lives although it does have its disadvantages too.
Impact CT has on Professional life
Communication technology has had a big impact on our proffesional life. Businesses now advertise theres products online as its free. Some people actually make a living by selling online. The goods can be purchased online by credit cards and delivered straight to your door. Some grocery stores do this too so you can now do all your shopping online.
Business meetings are now held by video conferencing which means people are travelling less and saving money. They can use emails instead of sending letters which is cheaper and faster.
It has a negative effect on some of our jobs as most people are now doing everything online. You can buy your shopping online, do your banking online and a lot more which puts some people out of a job as they are not needed.
Issues involved with CT
Hacking- this is one of the major issues involved with CT. People are hacking into company mainframes and stealing people’s details.
Eg: Playstation 3 users accounts were hacked to get their details.
Viruses- computers can pick up viruses from almost anything. You can receive them through emails and many other devices.
Identity theft- this is when a person claims to be someone else by using their details that they got by hacking online.
Fraud- this is when someone steals money by using their details that they got online.
Another issue with communications technology is with banks for example when ulster banks machines went haywire. Peoples money was delayed or not going into their accounts at all.
Health and Safety Communications Legislation
The Data protection acts 1998 + 2003 are there to protect us as individuals. It was updated in 2003 because the Internet was invented. It is important that people know what rights they have. Everyone is entitled to access their information held by the government. You have the right to know if anyone is holding your details and what they want your details for. You also have the right to remove any information been held about you.
A Data controller is a person or company who stores your information. They must only keep your information for the length of time needed and have a responsibility to keep it safe and secure. Your information must be facts and up to date. The data controller must be holding your information in a lawful way. All individuals should know that they can obtain a copy of their information on request.
The copyright Act allows you to copyright anything that you have created. This means that by law, nobody can use your things.
Conclusion
As You can see technology has had a major impact on the world. It has globally taken over replacing a lot of jobs. In my opinion i think it has a lot more advantages than disadvantages. Technology is growing more and more each day, getting bigger and better.
Bibliography
http://importanceoftechnology.net/151/impact-of-technology-on-our-lifehttp://www.smallbusinessbible.org/advan_disadvan_informationtechnology.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_6402193_disadvantages-technology-communication.html
