Are We Too Dependent on Computers - Essay Example

Are we too dependent on computers? Are we too dependent on computers? Many people rely on computers to enhance their daily activities since their introduction. A significant proportion of work places have computers that save time by making work easier while reducing the workload. Additionally, they allow individual to work from anywhere and socialize with their friends and relatives. Computers are helpful tools; however, they become dangerous when people over use them. Computers make life simple because people can learn several things through them. For example, people can shop and conduct their studies online. This makes people become addicted to the computers. People also spend more time on computers in the contemporary society compared to the past. Personally, I spend approximately 6 hours daily on computers chatting with my friends or typing my assignments. It is clear that addiction to computers negatively affected individual’s behaviors. I have become lazy and antisocial because computers are now the central point of my personal life. Children are affected when they spend their time playing video games. This makes them engage in less physical activities and interaction with other children. This has resulted into higher pervasiveness of obesity especially in United States. Furthermore, the video games affect children’s academic performances because they take most of their study time. Older students depend on computers to get answers and information on their research projects. They spend very little or no time in the fields collecting information. This negatively affects their psychological capacity. Addiction to computers has led to reduction of output in work places. Researches show that employees use most of their time on social sites resulting into huge losses. Safety concerns prove that people rely on computers. There has been high occurrence of stolen personal information. The daily usage of computers increases people’s comfort and trust in them. This makes them save their private information in them. Additionally the high usage increases their knowledge, and this makes it easier for some to steal information from other people’s personal accounts. Delicate financial information especially for those who bank and shop online has been stolen. Many people have experienced financial harm based on the initiation of computer technology in commerce. For instance, people’s money has been stolen through ATMs because they have bank notes and all the information that can lead to access of people’s bank information. Moreover, some people hide their identity by using other’s personal information to commit a crime. This has made many innocent people lose jobs and be embarrassed because of false accusation. Overdependence on the computer has also increased illiteracy issues. Teachers and student in schools are now shifting to computers. Students type most of their assignments that can be hand written. This does not affect the older students, but it affects the young students who are still learning to read and write. This is because they spend time to learn how to write. Additionally, it has unpleasant effects on the children’s grammar and spelling abilities. Handwriting is a vital skill that everyone should develop; however, computers affect the acquisition of appropriate skills. This is because it easier for a child to remember handwritten information compared to information typed on computers. The loss of jobs is an additional factor that proves that people are over depending on computers. Small and big organizations are now using computers especially during online services. The common online activities entail sales and marketing. Customers can access information about goods through the internet without being served by workers in the organization. This makes the workers in the sales and marketing divisions ineffective. Most organizations no longer employ workers in these departments. This is advantageous to the organizations because it reduces their expenses; however, it is disadvantageous to the employees. Overdependence on computers has also increased prevalence of cancer especially in the developing countries where computers are used everywhere. Most laptops have radiations that can cause cancer to the human skin. The financial growth of all countries depends on computers. Consequently, the sustainability of business and commerce is hugely dependent on computer technology. For example, vital banking transactions and services are done using computers. There are higher chances that technology failure may cause markets to crumble. This culminates into significant loss within the entire community. Additionally, it may lead to loss of resources. For example, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) was affected by the technology failure in 2008. Moreover, technology failure may lead to huge losses in the major companies. Overreliance on computers alters how people operate and think currently. This is because it has resulted into a fast-paced society where multitasking ability is highly valued. For instance, I read mails, online information, and receive a call at the same time. Such multitasking behaviors make me unable to focus and to choose relevant information. Prolonged multitasking behaviors can affect a person’s brain lowering his or her performance. Regardless of evidence suggesting overdependence on computers, several individuals argue against and oppose the evidence proving that people rely on computers for virtually any process. For example, a significant proportion of the populace acknowledges that computers do not lower the organizations’ performances. They claim that computer have increased business outputs. This is because additional work can be completed within short periods. Furthermore, they assert that computer do not contribute to the antisocial behaviors of individuals in the community. They believe that computers increase the social circles because many people meet communicate online. It is equally clear from the opposing factions that computers have positively contributed to improved school performances because students can obtain new information online. Furthermore, classes are currently available online and one does not need to waste time travelling to attend classes. Conclusively, the society is currently dependent on computers. The effects of overusing and over relying on computers prove that corrective actions should be taken. The effects of excessive use of computers incorporate computer addiction that leads to lower workers’ outputs and poor academic performance. Other effects include the increase of disruptive behaviors in the society. Furthermore, over dependence on computers has opened avenues for fraud within the financial system making it fundamental to embrace corrective actions. Read More