Has the UK Become a Digital Nation - Case Study Example

Has the UK become a Digital Nation? Name: Institution: Lecturer: Task: Has the UK become a digital nation? TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………......3 2.0 Findings and Analysis…………………………………………………………...…...4 2.1 THE SITUATION………………………………………………………….....4 a) New Media………………………………………..……………………5 b) Online Advertising and Marketing…………….……..………...............6 c) Use of Smartphone and Tablets………………………………...…...….7 d) Interpersonal Relations in the Information Age……………..………....7 e) Impact on Business……………………………………………..………8 2.2 PROBLEM EVALUATION…………………………………………..…....8 2.3 SOLUTIONS…………………………………………………………...…10 3.0 Conclusion and Recommendations…………………………………………………....……………..10 Reference……………………………………………………………..............………...12 1.0 Introduction Digitalization is a situation where technology increases the speed and breadth of accessing knowledge within the economy and society. Evolutionary Theory explanation of our society postulates that economic growth and its sustainability hinges on knowledge turnover. (Bradley.2007; 148) The Digital Era/Information Age can be described as the emergence of an evolutionary arena where turnover of knowledge is very high, and increasingly getting out of control. (Bradley.2007; 163) The social, economic and technological implication of digitalization is increasing at a phenomenal rate. This impact is further aggravated as internet technology functionality is becoming more and more knowledge-based and our daily lives increasingly intertwined to it. It has almost taken a ‘life’ of its own. (Hwang, Jenq-Neng.2009; 21) Analyzing and understanding this digitalization and the challenges it portends to the society will aid in ensuring we build a sustainable socio-economic structure through technology. (Garrett, J. et al.1996) Social network sites, internet and other virtual technologies are now part and parcel of our lives useful for both personal and corporate users. This large-scale proliferation of Cloud, Mobile, Social networks etc is having a profound impact in our society. This influence is what Gartner (a technology research company) called ‘The Nexus of Forces’. (Garrett, J. et al.1996) This paper will take an in depth look and analysis of the impact of this digital movement in the UK. The paper will further delve into the debate of the changing face of human and interpersonal relationships in the wake of social media sites (Facebook,Twitter, Flickr,Instagram etc) ,modern technology communication channels(text, online-messaging) ; Dissect the emerging culture/ consequences of online ‘life’ and the identity and impression crisis that comes with it ; Analyse the changes in the business world brought forth by this digital technology (e.g. Amazon, e-Bay, I-Tunes) and the changes and adaptation of the markets thereof ; Open up the issues and benefits of the use of technology in health sector, for educational purpose, E-governance etc ; Look at the Information Age and the issue of privacy and freedom of expression, human rights in the digital environment; Freedom of expression and privacy. Human/Civil rights in a digital society; Challenges of copyright Laws (e.g. music copyright, you tube video ownership, Flickr photos etc).New crime coming up as a result of this massive digitization viz; cyber-terrorism, cyber-bullying among others; the issue of Web2.0 world (e.g. Wikipedia) and the credibility and veracity of information and authority therein. I will finally look at the impact of the digital society on the environment. All this will be done through analysis of relevant journals and observation of the industry trends. 2.0 Findings and Analysis. When Tim Berners-Lee came up with World Wide Web 30 years ago many people had not foreseen the overwhelming impact it would have in our society. 2.1 THE SITUATION. I will critically break down the various aspects of technological advancement and assess their impact in our society. Even though economic aspects play an important role in changing the technology sector, philosophical aspects also shape the technological sector. Many developers are have cut- and –dried ideas of what they want their inventions to be. Many wish to make the world a better place. They therefore strive to make inventions that enable/transform the world positively. Certain structural conditions determine how technology is used. Just as economic factors .These technologies go a long way in transforming the society either positively or negatively. (Hwang, Jenq-Neng.2009; 20) The major ways through which digital era technologies are used and impact our society are; a) New Media: The internet technology and its many uses have both positive and negative influences. (Bradley.2007; 149) It has changed, almost with a snap of its fingers the traditional business models in the media industry. News is now increasingly being delivered through the internet and its numerous channels i.e. Blogs, Tweets, You tube and many other non-traditional news sources. A commentator once said that the traditional print newspapers are on their death-beds courtesy of the internet (Garrett, J. et al.1996).Murdoch Empire and his group of right wing print newspaper is increasingly being overshadowed as the number one source of information by the new media. (Garrett, J. et al.1996) This ease of information accessibility and intercommunication has resulted in unparallel spread of information. This has also resulted in a democratic cultural explosion never seen before. (Bradley.2007; 147) On the flipside, it exposes its users to surveillance; their preferences, habits etc can easily be mined by third parties thus interfering with their privacy. Through this unprecedented exposure to information from the internet the citizenry can be awakened and mobilized to threaten bad leadership, it also leaves democracies prone to cyber-attacks. Critics say that the internet offers freedom of expression, but does not deliver it. (Garrett, J. et al.1996) No legal system has been tailored to check the stranglehold of technology and new media companies and other purveyors of virtual information such as Google or Facebook .If not checked they may become monopolies of news and information. In this unrestrained arena, citizen’s interests can be interfered with these commercial interests. Aspects such as copyright and intellectual property must be strengthened in this information age. The founding principle of the web - openness, must be protected at all costs. This is what Tim Berner’s called Citizen Vigilance. It was not conceived to be a closed-down space fenced and managed by corporate and commercial interests but to be a virtual space for the citizens, not consumers. (Crypto-Gram Newsletter. May 2001; 27) we must not stop being citizens, and become mere consumers. The large body of information (raw, unedited, unedited etc) that social media brings has been equated to an ocean of information, (Bradley.2007; 164) this information overload calls for a clear way of balancing from this information onslaught. b) Online Advertising and Marketing: The other significant technological change that has taken place in our society is the massive proliferation of online advertising. The myriad of services in the digital advertising sector have a challenge of handling of personal information/data. A generic law Data Protection Act of 1998 is the only law governing the sector. The law is inadequate, proposals have been put forth for new regulations .This will capture more data sets within the ambit of the law and make the sector more transparent. (Crypto-Gram Newsletter. May 2001; 26) The European Union has gone a step ahead and set EU Framework for Online Behavioral Advertising and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 to regulate the sector. Consumer’s interests must be protected for online business to be made more competitive and fair .The issue of use of personal data must be strengthened to uphold information and civil rights. c) Use of Smartphone and Tablets: There is the decreasing use of user-programmable PC and the increasing use of closed system carried by Smartphone and tablets. This is a challenge for traditional IT companies .On the other hand; it has caused people to be computer literate on a large scale. This massive proliferation of use of Smartphone tablets and hand other hand –held devices increased the digital drive. (Bradley.2007; 147) Proprietary providers of internet services like Skype is widely used .It experienced challenges of open standards which it has majorly won. (Ensuring Long-Term Access to Digital Information, Final Report.2014; 206) d) Interpersonal Relations in the Information Age: With the emergence of social media and its massive use, the relationship between people both corporate and individual has changed drastically. The culture and way of communicating of personal and general information has shifted. This is what Christopher Levy (2003), called ‘New media language’. These channels have given the voiceless a place to ventilate their views. Sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Instagram etc are used in large scale further deepening internet and technology usage in the society, and with it come the challenge of identity and personal impression management. People almost have double lives-online and real life. (Bradley.2007; 146) Social media brings with it the conflict between fear and attention. Funny enough, fear on social media is not propagated by marketers and politicians alone. Friends, relatives and workmates also use it to get attention. (Bradley.2007; 145) e) Impact on Business: The business world, without any doubt is the most affected sector by the digital technology. The way we do business has been changed by technology. Shopping is now conducted mainly online via Amazon, e-Bay, I-Tunes etc This has also changed the outlook of the markets as more and more people are embracing online buying.(Hwang, Jenq-Neng.2009; 23) Sectors such as Health, Education ,Transport ,Entertainment and E-governance have also not been left behind. The potential of digital technology is big. Challenge must be how to make technology encourage people to live healthy and sustainable lives. (Ensuring Long-Term Access to Digital Information, Final Report.2014; 206).Mobile payment such as Virgin Money is an apt example of this new movement. 2.2 PROBLEM EVALUATION. My guiding mantra about the problems and impact of technology in the community is the Kranzberg's first law.Kranzberg postulates that technology is not good or bad. He further says that technology is just a tool and like other tools it has both positive and negative effects. Technology does not dictate practice. How systems are designed and used is important according to Kranzberg.The uses may be different from what the conceivers of the technology had in mind. (Garrett, J. et al.1996) The sheer quantities of information being churned by the social networks and other digital communication channels are increasingly surpassing the information levels that any one person can manage. This situation was aptly termed as ‘Twitter Zen’ by computer Scientist Michael Bernstein.(Sicker, D., Paul, O., and Shannon, G. 2007;103) What is clear is that this large-scale information onslaught is not going to stop or reduce anytime soon ,in fact it is bound to increase. In the wake this scenario, those who want to capture the attention of the online community must device new ways of doing so. Social media marketers have known how difficult it is to capture the attention of this online community in the swirl of this cross-current of information. Through networked technologies, people are now more exposed than any other time in the history of mankind. The internet allows people to have a peak into the lives of others and access to more and more people than before. This exposure is good and the same time bad. Just as the internet makes the things that we wish to know visible, it also exposes the things that we don’t want to see. It exposes us to information and people that can be harmful. This is a major cause of worry. Cyber bullying is increasingly getting out of control. This is a major issue especially surrounding children and youth’s online interactions. 2.3 SOLUTIONS. The plethora of problems and challenges brought about by this massive information and technological advancement calls for critical analysis of the dynamics that result as a result of this new fashion of connecting people. The mind of the makers of technology went into devising the infrastructure but we can also change the virtual world’s negative ecosystem through our own practices. This digital movement leaves in its wake negative impact on the environment. This is often overlooked by many. The issue of handling of E –waste must be placed on the forefront is we don’t want the technology to destroy our beautiful globe. (Sicker, D., Paul, O., and Shannon, G. 2007; 107) It is a critical moment that we need to analyse the values brought to us through our tools. There is an urgent need to critically assess the information that we generate, use and share to others. Conversely, there is need for all technology-users to be responsible and help forge a better world. 4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS As seen the UK is a digital society. Information technology and its various branches such as social networking are here for the long haul. We need to get past a situation where we simply critize or praise it .What is needed is a way to productively embrace and utilize it. Sociologist Manuel Castells states that there is a power shift. Power no longer operates in a hierarchical manner. Real power is now within the networks. (Blue Ribbon Task Force on Sustainable Digital Preservation and Access, 2010). His most important point was his description of network-making power. He said that this is the power wielded by people who can connect people to the information flow. Those who are able to control information flow are also able to capture people’s attention. (Garrett, J. et al.1996) Through technology, business has been easened and information is now easily accessed. Increasingly we are seeing good use of the digitization.However; we should note that good information just as propaganda can also be spread extremely fast. Right wing opinion shapers and Oxbridge politicians no longer control ‘policy ideas’ alone. As we embrace technology, we must also address the question of the digital divide before it gets out of hand. Their is a new challenge of accessibility for people with disability, access across all age brackets and the problem of rural –urban digital divide. These are issues that can dampen the benefits of the technology in our society and must be addressed. References Crypto-Gram Newsletter. (May 15, 2001). The Futility of Digital Copy Prevention. Sicker, D., Paul, O., and Shannon, G. (2006–2007).The Analog Hole and the Price of Music: An Empirical Study". Journal of Telecommunications and High Technology. vol. 3, no. 2, August, pp. 103-107 Hwang, Jenq-Neng (2009). Multimedia Networking: From Theory to Practice. Cambridge University Press. London: Pan Books Christopher Levy (February 3, 2003). "Making Money with Streaming Media". streamingmedia.com. Retrieved 2014-07-15. Blue Ribbon Task Force on Sustainable Digital Preservation and Access (2010). "Sustainable Economics for a Digital Planet: Ensuring Long-Term Access to Digital Information, final report". La Jolla, Calif. p. 35. Retrieved July 15, 2014. Bradley, K. (2007). Defining digital sustainability. Library Trends v. 56 no 1 p. 148-163. Garrett, J., D. Waters, H. Gladney, P. Andre, H. Besser, N. Elkington, H. Gladney, M. Hedstrom, P. Hirtle, K. Hunter, R. Kelly, D. Kresh, M. Lesk, M. Levering, W. Lougee, C. Lynch, C. Mandel, S. Mooney, A. Okerson, J. Neal, S. Rosenblatt, and S. Weibe (1996). Preserving digital information: Report of the task force on digital information" Commission on Preservation and Access and the Research Libraries Group. Retrieved 2014-07-14. Read More