What Computers Can Do For You - Essay Example

Introduction Since the time the microprocessor personal computers (PC), the kind of computers that are being used today, were first introduced in the early 1980s (Rico, Sayani, & Field, 2008, p. 5), it has benefited workplaces, schools, and even individuals with its many uses. Currently, desktops, laptops and even handheld computers are now being provided by different technology and electronic companies and offer an array of advantages besides their basic computing functions: serving as a source of instruction, entertainment, communication, and many others through the stored computer applications and the Internet. In the United Kingdom alone, statistics show that 98 percent of those who belong in the age group of five to 18 use computers for different purposes in the year 2002 only (“Activities undertaken,” n.d.). It was also found in another broader-coverage survey that 57% of British households have Internet access in the year 2006, an 11-point percentage increase after a four-year period (National Statistics, 2006, p. 1). As shown in these numbers, there is no denial that many are now spending more time in the virtual world of the computers. Whether these trends are good or not, this paper will attempt to answer. What Computers Can Do For You On top of its basic computing purposes, personal computers are now equipped with different features that allow people to do countless activities that aid them in office or school-related works, gaming, managing one’s finances, communicating with other people, and connecting to the Internet (Miller, 2007, pp. 10-11). With computers, people can make reports, essays, compute complicated accounting problems, and many others anytime they want. In addition to the basic programs made especially for these PCs, virtual libraries and sites can provide people with much needed information and services without even stepping out of the house or offices. Individuals, organizations -- government, non-government, private and alike -- are now continually improving websites for the consumption of the public; while others are free, many companies are now also using the computers and the Internet to provide information and services for a fee. Youngsters and even adults can also use computers for playing or any other sources of entertainment. There are already a lot of available computer games that anyone can download or play with other friends through networks of computers or via online. Moreover, computers -- especially the Internet-based ones -- can also be utilized in searching for the age-old to the latest releases of music, movies and videos posted in the World Wide Web for the entertainment of the consumers. People, too, can now meet and communicate with families and friends despite the distance given that Internet connection exists. Social networking sites, and other sites providing instant messaging and electronic mail services allow one person from one end of the world to talk, write and send messages to people who are at the other end. Computers: Good or Bad? Indeed, computers and the Internet have now emerged as a useful tool, even a necessity, for many individuals and organizations around the world due to what seems to be like its being an unlimited source of advantages. However, as the saying goes, too much of something is not good. Yes, computers can offer people with a lot of benefits in just one tap of the mouse or the keyboard or one touch on the screen; but while time, effort, and even money are saved for not having to go anywhere else to do what one wants, it is not advisable to become increasingly dependent on computers. Firstly, reports about identity thefts and other cyber crimes have increased as social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter (to mention a few) members make personal data easily available for criminal consumptions just for signing up or answering surveys (Shinde & Joshi, 2010; Bateman, 2010). Yes, the benefit of being able to communicate with families and friends anytime one wants is appealing. Despite that, the risks that people take in posting even the simplest information such as their names and birthdays could threaten one’s security as sexual offenders and other criminals openly gain access to their lives. Hence, it is important for the people who are using sites in the Internet to be responsible enough in being discreet about personal information and preventing others to use these for criminal purposes. Another considerable disadvantage of computers is the issue about its effects on the development of a person’s functions as a social and mental being. According to an article posted by BBC and the Mail Online, biologists and neuroscientists are now expressing concern about the effects of how people are spending more and more time in front of computers, especially the children, only to play computer games or just ‘socialize’ in those social networking sites (“Online networking,” 2009; Derbyshire, 2009). Experts Dr. Sigman and Oxford University’s Professor Greenfield say that the trend of computer usage displayed by individuals of different age group can “alter the way genes work, upset immune responses, hormone levels, the function of arteries, and influence mental performance” resulting to increased risks for health conditions and develop short attention spans, have diminished ability to understand others and suffer from poor face-to-face social skills (“Online networking,” 2009; Derbyshire, 2009). Although further studies are to be made regarding these claims, there is no harm in believing that computers can cause these; thus, it is only right for people to know what enough is. Irresponsible use of computers such as social network browsing during work hours has also been found to affect the business sector, leading to productivity losses and cost liabilities amounting to billions of dollars annually (Kelleher, 2009). According to a survey which included 3, 500 UK companies done in the year 2007, “233 million hours are lost every month as a result of employees ‘wasting time’ time on social networking” (“Facebook ‘costs businesses,” 2007). It may seem that business trends such as this do not have anything to do with the daily lives of the people outside it but it must be noted that these businesses influence the economy, and the economy affects the people. Consequently, the losses that these businesses sustain will surely alter the daily lives of the people as well. Conclusion There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of the profits that technology, especially the computers, is offering. What is to be disliked is how people are negatively influenced in applying its uses into their daily lives. It is true that computers have become an inherent part of the contemporary time that it has even turned into a need for others. Nevertheless, people must also consider the more significant parts of life that are being affected by the use of it. Besides, computers, like all of the other products of technology, are made to assist people and not otherwise. There is a real world where people can look for entertainment, and do all the socializing and playing games which can be done with computers; although it is impossible to stop availing for its benefits, there is no need to literally spend more time in front of it to live with its virtual world. References Activities undertaken on the computer at home by 11-18 year-olds, autumn 2002: social trends 34. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=7206 Bateman, A. (2010, August 19). Agencies work to prevent, counter cyber crime. Retrieved from http://www.army.mil/-news/2010/08/19/43912-agencies-work-to- prevent-counter-cyber-crime/ Derbyshire, D. (2009, February 24). Social websites harm children’s brains: chilling warning to parents from top neuroscientist. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1153583/Social-websites-harm-childrens- brains-Chilling-warning-parents-neuroscientist.html Facebook ‘costs businesses dear.’ (2007, September 11). BBC. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6989100.stm Kelleher, D. (2009, February 17). Social networking at work: fear not Facebook, MySpace and Bebo? Retrieved from http://www.cio.com/article/481215/Social_Networking_at_Work_Fear_Not_Faceb ook_MySpace_and_Bebo_ Miller, M. (2007). Absolute beginner’s guide to computer basics (4th Ed.). USA: Que Publishing. National Statistics. (2006, August 23). First release: Internet access: households and individuals. Retrieved from http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/inta0806.pdf Online networking ‘harms health.’ (2009, February 19). BBC. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7898510.stm Rico, D. F., Sayani, H. H., & Field, R. F. (2008). History of computers, electronic commerce and agile methods. In M. V. Zelkowitz, (Ed.), Advances in computers: emerging technologies (pp. 1-4). San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Shinde, S., & Joshi, P. (2010, August 19). Social networking sees rise in identity theft. Business Standard. Retrieved from http://www.business- standard.com/india/news/social-networking-sees-rise-in-identity-theft/405077/ Read More