Good Example Of Essay On Technology And Its Consequences

In the past 100 years or so, technology has greatly exceeded our expectations and given humanity easier, more efficient, and economic ways of living. Technology has given us machines to mass produce food, clothing, and other necessities as well as provide us with treatments and cures for a variety of conditions and illnesses. In light of these advances in technology, we must also be aware of the dangers they pose to our society. With everything else, there are pros and cons to the subject of technology. As previously mentioned, technology has given us ways to make life easier. Conversely, technology also poses such treats to our society, such as a breach of confidentiality and privacy, dependence upon the system, and the reliance on technology can negatively affect our health, to name a few. Special precautions should be taken when implementing a new technology in a company or allowing students new liberties in using technology in class. Technology has given us more disadvantages than advantages.
In Myhre’s article for Direct Marketing News, she reviews how technology has negatively affected our society by one large factor, breaching our security by interrupting our privacy. Technology has the potential to exploit us all as computers, laptops, notebooks and phones keep records of our everyday, private information. Technology has the capacity to store personal information, use location tracking, and track our website browsing. Every word we type into our gadgets in stored on an unseen level. We store personal information on our computers, such as passwords, bank information, and bills. Our computers can track our browsing history and cookies can save passwords, credit card numbers, and addresses. Again, even if we delete these, a computer technology specialist knows a way to uncover these facts by looking at our hard drive. Moreover, all of our gadgets are connected to the worldwide internet. The internet is the playing ground for hackers. It is through our connections to the internet that they hack into our technologies and steal our information to commit fraud and give us software viruses (Myhre).
Finally, technology can pose a negative impact to our health. According to the Huffington Post, our reliance on technology and our use of it every day can have some minor, but also some major effects on our health. One of the most important and devastating effects is cyber bullying. There has been more than one new story on cases of teenagers cyberbullying one another, even to the point where one party will commit suicide. Social media gives us the opportunity to share the good things that we experience within our lives. Conversely, it also allows us to compare ourselves to one another and criticize others on how they live their lives and what they choose to post. Not too far from this effect is the connection between social networking and depression (Holmes). Users browsing different sites, such as Facebook, can see what their friends and family members are doing. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and unhappiness if the user is not involved. Additionally, it has been speculated that lonely users often peruse social media networks, thus burying themselves into more loneliness. Other adverse effects of technology include the development of poor posture, blemishes from holding our dirty gadgets to our face, decreased sperm count in men who often sit their laptops on their laps, sleep disturbances, and the development of addiction (Holmes). Some of these side effects can be reversed if we become more aware of our use. We can think about how we sit at our desks in front of our computers and we can shut off our gadgets an hour before bed so our brains know it is time to sleep. However, some of the more serious affects, such as the negative impacts on our mental health need more awareness in our communities so that we may stop the bullying and improve our mental health.
Technology is utilized every day in our education system, in elementary, high school, and collegiate levels. Technological advances have given teachers a new way of teaching. PowerPoint, projectors, and YouTube have allowed teachers to teach their students in various ways, giving students the ability to learn in their own unique ways. Students can utilize technology to learn by watching videos and reading book and complete their homework. Additionally, some schools use laptops and IPads for test-taking purposes. All these ways in which technology can be used in the classroom also have a negative impact on our education system. Teachers and students alike become dependent on the technology. This extreme reliance can become a problem when the technology fails to function. When the internet fails to load and projectors stop working, the users are at a loss of what to do and how to carry onward. Students can take advantage of the system by using their technology to cheat (Sahakov), either by way of sharing their answers with other students or finding others’ work online and using it as their own. Furthermore, technology provides a distraction for students when they should be learning and studying, both in the classroom and at home (Sahakov). Students become preoccupied with social networking as they attempt to complete their work; students both attempt to use their devices during class hours and neglect to do their work at home by spending time in front of a screen.
One of the most obvious downfalls to technology is its cost (Booher). Technological devices, whether it be for entertainment, business, or science, cost money. These machines are built from many intricate parts and they have the power to do so much for us. Not surprisingly, these advantages come at a price. Electronics, specifically, are very pricey. We have devoted one day a year to selling them at reduced prices: Black Friday. We can watch the news and see many people rushing into and out of the store with large, flat-screen TVs. Additionally, it doesn’t take long for these devices to become outdated. Every day, researchers and developers are looking for ways to improve technology, either by making it faster, more efficient, or more elegant looking. For example, every September, Apple comes out with new products and computer software is coming out with new versions every two or three years. This progress costs money. Developers must be paid and consumers want to have the newest technology in the palms of their hands.
In my own life, technology has a great influence and takes up a lot of my time within the 24-hour day. I use technology to stay in touch with friends and family, to take a break and entertain myself, and to learn and work towards my degree. I have the constant feeling of being preoccupied and distracted. I am jumping from one subject to another. I am constantly replying to texts, emails, and phone calls. There is always a gadget that is in use and one on the charger. I have become addicted to social media and reality TV. I spend hours on end in front of the screen when there is a beautiful, expansive world right outside my window. There are friendships to be had and relationships to nurture by way of communicating face-to-face. There are various activities to do without the use of technology, including taking walks, exercising, having picnics, and sight-seeing. Moreover, there are attractions to see and visit, such as museums, zoos, aquariums, and sporting events. None of these activities can be done while I am inside in front of my screen.
The growth and development of technology has sky-rocketed in the last 100 years and has given us many amazing technologies, such as industrial machines, assembly lines, cars, home appliances, and the internet. However, along with these advantages have also appeared disadvantages. The disadvantages are widespread and include dependence and addiction, costly prices, distractions, an end to privacy, and cheating. However, the adverse effects also go beyond these examples, and may include something such as work-related accidents with the use of heavy machinery and the inhalation of noxious substances when discussing technologies inside the factory. Our world shows no signs of slowing down or stopping the progress. Therefore, we must become educated of our surroundings and be vigilant to these harmful effects as we continue to use technology and its machines every single day.

References

Booher, Dianna. "6 Ways Social Media Is Doing More Harm Than Good." The Huffington Post.
The Huffington Post, 23 July 2014. Web. 9 Mar. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dianna-booher/social-media_b_5375853.html>.
Ellison, Briana. "Technology Dependence Decreases Social Skills." The Breeze. James Madison
Holmes, Lindsay. "Sneaky Ways Technology Is Messing With Your Body And Mind." The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 5 Dec. 2014. Web. 3 Mar. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/05/health-effects-of-technol_n_6263120.html>.
Myhre, Julie. "Technology Is Invading Our Privacy." Direct Marketing News. Haymarket Media,
Inc., 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2015. <http://www.dmnews.com/technology-is-invading-our-privacy/article/307471/>.
Sahakov, Roman. "2 Pros And 2 Cons To Education Technology." Edudemic. Edudemic, 15 Jan.
2014. Web. 9 Mar. 2015. <http://www.edudemic.com/education-technology-pros-cons/>.