An Analysis on All-Inclusive Information Society - Essay Example

? An Analysis on All-inclusive Information Society Paper of Supervisor An Analysis on All-inclusive Information Society The human society is creative, innovative, knowledgeable, and competitive. These are the values that kept people going despite the many changes in the world as suggested by globalisation. One of these many usable changes is the advancement of Information and Communication Technology or ICT. ICT has been widely used in the world for purposes of education, work, social networking, and business. ICT’s tools and services are very useful and accessible to make people’s daily lives a lot more convenient. ICT has proven its worth for providing economic developments, improving the quality of living, opening employment opportunities, and linking people no matter where they may be located in the world. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not one can argue that people live in an all-inclusive Information Society. Hence, it will dig into details such as the background of the network society, the definition and facts about all-inclusive information society, some issues that surround it, the influence of media and other communications industries, and the arguments, advantages, and disadvantages of the issue in focus. Background of All-inclusive Information Society The e-inclusion policy of Europe aims to lessen disparities when it comes to ICT usage among every single person despite social status. This policy wishes to create an all-inclusive information society, also known as the network society wherein everyone can create their own opportunities in business, education, and employment by being able to access reliable information through the different tools and services provided by ICT easily (International Telecommunication Union 2012). Manuel Castells (cited in Glass 2005, p. 9) once postulated that ‘in a new network economy, information becomes a key factor in economic productivity.’ For example, the flow of stocks in the market is based on relevant information regarding businesses and finances, as well as social and technological trends. Hence, information is made known through ICT and the relevant information is being used to improve businesses and increase economies. The all-inclusive information society is needed in order to balance development in a nation—both the urban and rural areas. The ICT tools and services must be fairly accessible and convenient to all citizens so that they will access information equally relevant for the improvement of their quality of living for all types of people including the disabled, old, and those living in remote areas where there used to be difficulties in finding good signals to access the net (European Commission 2007). In the advent of technology, only few people were able to make use of the internet especially the educated ones. These days, almost everyone can use and access ICT tools and services—even children can go online and be able to do e-learning. However, despite these advancements, studies have shown that factors such as education, age, employment, culture, and language may impede the e-inclusion policy because these are major drawbacks in the effective usage of information and communication technologies (Webster 2006). Solutions to these have constantly been researched and studied in order to realise the policy fully. Countries like Europe have implemented this and are close to around 80% of success in the e-inclusion. They still need to do a lot of work, though, and they are aware of it. Other countries, especially those belonging to the third world country will find this a difficult task because first and foremost the availability and affordability percentage of people in using ICT tools and services is quite low, but the positive side is that there are more and more people becoming more literate to these technologies little by little (European Communities 2006). In an all-inclusive network society, every ICT user will be able to express his or her opinion, which is a great way to make use of the freedom of expression and speech. However, there are ethical policies that come along with networking that must be strictly followed so that these rights will not be abused, misused, or violated (UNESCO 2013). People have the tendency to become too intense when it comes to airing their views about a particular topic especially in social networking sites that sometimes they forget to respect one anothers' opinions and preferences. Hence, there are benefits and drawbacks in using and accessing ICT tools and services. These will be presented in details in the next few sections of the paper. The Social Media and Communications Industries The social media serve as a bridge of information for people to send and receive messages needed for their daily activities. Today’s social media can reach different parts of the world with the innovation of social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, some blog sites, Youtube, and many others wherein people stay connected with friends and strangers alike. The social media environment requires technological skills and many people are either taught or self-taught about how to operate and manipulate these social networking sites making more and more people become technologically literate time after time (Central European Initiative 2013). The role of media in the lives of people is both beneficial and disadvantageous at varying degrees. People have indeed become too dependent in getting the information they want from ICT in both their personal and professional lives. However, some people are not able to manage their digital lives properly as they spend more time looking posting, and delivering unnecessary and irrelevant information about themselves or someone else on their social networking sites accounts (Verdegem 2011). That is why the government of Europe did researches and found reliable results on how to make the lives of its citizens better with the use of ICT. They believe that increase in ICT knowledge by a greater number of people can help build and expand businesses important for the growth of the economy of the whole country. The communication paradigm has been drastically changed by these social networking sites. A study by Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies (quoted in Garcia 2011) has shown that 67% of netizens buy brands that they follow on Twitter while 51% buy those that they find in Facebook. This shows that a large percentage of people are persuaded in business talks within social networking sites. Moreover, this shows that social media sites are effective environments for business transactions. The fact that there are around four million Facebook users and roughly three million Tweets on Twitter per day supports this finding (Garcia 2011). Still according to Garcia (2011), this social media phenomenon has created a major mutation in the standard business communication process. The feedback is now long-lasting which allows more exposure and engagement to the brands being advertised in social media sites. Other modes of communication from different communications industries have provided more convenient and faster link from one person to another anywhere in the world. For example, Apple and Samsung are extremely popular brands of mobile phones, tablets, and other gadgets that make it easier for people to communicate to the social media world anytime and anywhere without their computers. They can access information from applications innovated by mobile apps stores. Everyone can now access the information they need and spread whatever information they want to get across in no time. That is why many advertisers and marketers can also advertise and promote products and services through applications linked to social networking sites—a great tool to expand business and the economy (Commission on Science and Technology for Development 2009). An all-inclusive information society will help build and expand businesses, especially when remote areas can have easy access over the net. Online businesses will flourish as well as shipping lines and cargo companies which will deliver the goods and services to customers ordering online. As a result, the market exchange will become better, and the economy will increase steadily. This tactic has been used by many countries including the superpowers China and the United States. India and Brazil are also successful countries that have benefited from this social media network phenomenon. Europe, on the other hand, links all inclusive network society to its government policies in order to be implemented properly in order to compete well with these countries and for the continuous growth of its economy (European Commission 2007). Wireless industries are likely to flourish in the coming of age. The European Commission has created a program called Mobile and Wireless Communications Enablers for the 2020 Information Society or METIS. This program aims that by 2020, an all-inclusive information society will be established with all improved wireless communications systems that will enable even more opportunities to for market expansion and increased global connectivity (Commission on Science and Technology for Development 2009). Benefits and Drawbacks of a Network Society The network society was believed to have rooted from the beginning of the Information Age in the early 90’s. However, during that time, the exchange of information was quite limited. The internet was created during that era, but social media networking sites were not innovated yet (Karvalics 2007). Informationalism and networking have come along with the increasing demands of globalisation. Since then, there had been various innovations that emerged with the help of improved ICT. The advancement in education has led many IT professionals to come up with improved and more effective ICT tools and services. Advantages The rise of e-learning and tutorials over the net have also encouraged self-learning that enables many people from different walks of life to know how to use these tools and services. Thus, the first advantage of a networked society is that ICT tools and services are easy to learn as they are user friendly and can be used conveniently and affordably. Another advantage is that it can be used for effective business communication wherein business people and clients can exchange information for equally providing constant feedback and exposing the product or service to others even if they are not originally involved in the conversation (Vodopivec & Samec 2012). The third advantage is that ICT can provide information at lightning speed, and anybody can be updated about a particular subject matter instantly. This is ideal in making an all inclusive information society. Since people stay connected because of these ICT tools and services, personal, intimate, or professional relationships are nurtured among friends, family members living overseas, and business partners; hence, another advantage (Helsper 2008). In addition, ICT can improve the quality of living for many people because it encourages business building and self-education. It also encourages self-expression since people can share their opinions about something freely. Lastly, the establishment of a networked society will eventually increase market capability and boost a country’s economy. Disadvantages There are also drawbacks in an all-inclusive information society. One of which is the abuse of power to express oneself freely. There are people who use their freedom of expression the wrong way where they tend to insult or criticise other people. Hence, instead of building and nurturing relationships, some people break connections just by saying bad things about the other. Another disadvantage is that there are some people who are not educated at all which makes it difficult to realise an all-inclusive information society (Law, Lee, Chan, & Yuen 2008). Some are willing to be educated or to teach themselves, but others are just simply uninterested. This is because of some factors like age, culture, and language. Older people do not find it necessary to make social network accounts, and there are those who do not know or bother to turn on their computers at home. In terms of culture, there are people who are too sensitive when it comes to their norms and traditions, and they apply it to the digital world causing arguments. Also, there are some, especially those belonging to tribes and indigenous groups, who think that it will be a conflict or a violation to their culture if they digitalised, so they simply do not bother. After all, some of them are not even interested in owning computers or other digital gadgets for them to access the social media and be part of the network society (Vodopivec & Samec 2012). Communication with many different people from different countries also has a major drawback which is the language barrier. Many people are not capable of speaking the universal language which is English, others may be able to speak and understand but not fluently while others may misinterpret the message of another (Helsper 2008). There are still so many things that need to be reconsidered in the e- inclusion policy. According to the European Commission (2007), the broadband coverage is still very limited to around 89% of the population because there are rural and very remote areas that are difficult to reach since there is only 71% of availability with very low broadband speed compared to those living in the urban areas. Hence, those in the rural areas have lesser job opportunities and lesser chances in getting the right information they need for their daily lives. It is not also a good idea for business people to contact people from the rural areas online because the signal disruptions will cost them time, money, and effort. Case Study To date, many people are still arguing whether or not all inclusive information society is effective, moral, and reliable. There are many things that need to be clarified in order to convince people to cooperate in this initiative. What is really lacking here is the sense of cooperation among citizens in using ICT tools and services for networking in order to have a sustainable quality of life. Those who are against a networked society refuse to see the benefits it may bring to their future while those who believe in it refuse to be discouraged by the disadvantages it may bring. Arguments against All-inclusive Information Society Quite a number of people are against the idea that everyone must be included in a networked society. This is because some of them do not completely understand what it is all about. The theory of the network society is associated with sociological frameworks under similar disciplines (Castells 2010). Somehow, a networked society brings sociological order wherein the educated and the rich who are knowledgeable enough and can afford the gadgets needed to access the network are ranked ahead of the other social status. Those who are unable to manipulate or access the internet are on the lowest status, which are mostly composed of the elderly, disabled, uneducated, and some indigenous individuals (Kollanyi, Molnar, & Szekely 2007). Furthermore, many people are against an all inclusive information society because of people’s disparity in technological literacy and their limited ability to cope with people who are capable of bullying and doing other unethical deeds in the online environment (Stahl n.d.). Somehow, the main reason why people avoid being included in a social network is the issue of ethics. Indeed there are so many people who use social networking sites to mock people while others use ICT tools in order to do fraudulent activities harmful to those who are victims by these bogus. There are numerous instances that netizens need to look out for because some frauds may involve money or even life. Critical social issues like prostitution have also been an issue in social networking sites. Some people are posting pictures of girls, especially minors, in chat sites or social networking sites in exchange for money. Indeed social media are a good place for business but it does not mean that these businesses are all clean. Identity theft is also currently an issue especially in Facebook. There had been a considerable number of cases wherein some people use the names and identities of others in order to target the victim’s friends since it will be easier for them to be deceived by some fraudulent activities if they know the person behind it (Experian 2010). If things come out worst, those victims of fraud will have to report the person whose identity has been stolen. Thus, it is very important to be vigilant all the time to protect oneself and those important people around. Arguments for All-inclusive Information Society In order to highlight the benefits it brings to netizens, they have to be aware that this initiative is widespread. As a matter of fact, there have been several World Summit events that happened in different parts of the world in the early 2000’s. In December 2003, a World Summit regarding the information society was conducted in Geneva. The dignity of every human being who make use of information and communications technologies was discussed and focused in the summit, as well as the protection of rights, equal distribution of resources, and the sustainability of the environment ("Shaping Information Societies for Human Needs" 2003). This shows that the world is not blind about the issues and that people who are in a position to correct these issues are taking action. The United Nations have also initiated actions in order to uphold civil rights in using the social media. In the summer of 2005, another world summit was conducted. This time the indigenous people were in focus. The theme was basically bridging the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous people in the information society (Brown & Cullen 2005). Since the indigenous people are part of the population, they can also contribute to the advancement of the social and economic aspects of countries. Hence, they must have the equal technological knowledge in the field of social networking. Another argument for an all inclusive information society is that, although there are many people against it, there are more people accustomed to using it—even the disabled, the elderly, and the indigenous peoples (Almeida 2009). The disabled are encouraged to use social media sites because there they can be helped as much as they can express themselves freely. The things they cannot do in real life they can somehow achieve in the digital world. Also, they can connect with groups of disabled people and be able to share their life stories with one another. As for the elderly, they can connect with their loved ones especially when their sons and daughters already have families on their own and live from another town or overseas. They can interact and communicate on a daily basis to check if everyone is doing well. They can also connect with healthcare websites and be well-informed about what to avoid or not while they are ageing (Brown & Cullen 2005). Thus, it is important that grandparents are being taught by their children or grandchildren on how to be interactive over the net as much as possible. More indigenous people, on the other hand, are already being educated with the social media. They can now interact with ease regardless of culture. Also, because of education, most of them are able to communicate effectively online whether for personal, academic, or business purposes. In terms of fraudulent activities, people are now taught on how to safeguard themselves against identity thieves and other frauds (Almeida 2009). There are sites that tell them what to do, whom to call, and where to go when they are victimised. Also, government laws are already including in their policies about social networking and sanctions are available for violators and abusers. Analysis Over the course of shifting times, different technological innovations and information and communication strategies have been introduced, and millions of people around the globe have become accustomed to them to the point that some could not live without them any longer. Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and other social networking sites have been avenues for self expression and reflection. The way people became so attached to these innovations have caused different effects—both positive and negative. Humanitarian organisations and governments have become alarmed at how these sites can be used for criminal purposes but somehow, they have been remedied. Despite all these, there are millions of reasons why people must continue using the social media. One of which is its ability to bring the world closer to every person with every single click. Surely anyone can argue that we live in an all-inclusive information society. It can be said that the majority of the world’s population are connected to the social community. The different news all over the world can now be seen and witnessed by the whole world by uploading pictures, videos, or updating tweets and statuses. However, it cannot be denied that there are also people out there who are not aware about what is happening to the world because of lack of resources, little or no education, and absence of access because of low signals. It is sad to note that some governments like those of the third world countries cannot pay much attention to these issues because they have more important and more critical issues to attend to like famine, poverty, and calamity-related issues. In addition, there are also countries experiencing war and terrorism which makes it even more difficult for citizens to even express them. There are just too many issues that need to be taken care of first before heading to the path of an all inclusive information or network society. Based on the arguments presented above, anyone can argue that we live in an all inclusive information society because of the ability of social media to reach even those in the remote areas. They can teach people from remote areas to catch up and be updated by using the social media. Also, they can teach them to make use of e-learning to teach them how to be part of the network society. However, one can also argue that we do not live in an all-inclusive information society, not yet. We will only be able to conclude that we do if everyone including the remote areas, areas of the indigenous people, and very poor places are reached with broadband signals, given the proper resources, and provided with adequate education. As of now, in Europe there is 71% of the entire population who have very slow download speed. They may have the resources, but they are not able to make use of it fully. If Europe is experiencing this kind of problem, this could also be evident among poverty-stricken countries. The Philippines, for example, is a poor country, but with many people are involved in the social media. However, there are more people in the rural and remote areas who do not have any idea what social media is and what it does. Another problem is that there are also avis netizens who no longer have access to the internet because of the recent calamities it has experienced—the earthquake and the super typhoon. More countries are also experiencing the same. Africa has to tend to its problems with famine more that providing resources for social networking, indigenous peoples in some parts of the world continue to want to preserve their culture and stray away from any technological innovations, some are extremely poor because of corrupt governments. Hence, we still have not achieved the goal of an all-inclusive information society. Some countries may have achieved that like the superpowers China and the United States but still they struggle to keep that place. It is simply utterly impossible as of the moment to consider ours living in an all inclusive information society despite the efforts of the United Nations. Today may be too early, and the nations may still be experiencing a lot of problems that impede the realisation of a networked society that is inclusive of all populations. Perhaps a new information and communication technology and innovation is yet to come in the near future that will make this initiative possible. Conclusion An all inclusive information society is not that hard to achieve. The world has started to make a move and standby for any support needed by netizens. However, there is a need for a firm support from the government in order to achieve this, and because of many emerging social issues, crimes, war, and terrorism, it is quite hard to have an all inclusive network society. Perhaps not today, maybe in the near future when everyone will learn to cooperate and be eager to learn despite the struggles of poverty, corruption, crimes, and other issues. We do not live in an all inclusive information society—not yet. We all need to work hard by beginning with ourselves. If we think we are capable and talented individuals belonging to the network society, we may need to share knowledge bit by bit to those who do not. We can start with a disabled friend, grandparents, or our indigenous brothers. References Almeida, MP 2009, Classification for Fraud Detection with Social Network Analysis, Available from: https://dspace.ist.utl.pt/bitstream/2295/570141/1/InglesRevistoVersaoFinalEntregue.pdf. 7 December 2013. 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