Bad Impacts of Computers on People and Society - Research Paper Example

Bad impacts of computers on people and society al Affiliation The increasing computer usage has been a key featureof the last few decades. The relevance of computers is a function of the increasing relevance of computers in contemporary life. For example, usage of computers is relevant in academics and professional life as computer profiles replace traditional filing systems and information management systems. Computer usage has the benefit of connecting friends in spite of distance, increasing the efficiency of file storage and consequently work output and creating new learning platforms (Berleur, 2009). However, the rise of computers is associated with a number of social problems. For example, chatting on the internet sometimes connects lovers despite the distance. However, it also reduces the amount of time they spend together and therefore weaken their bonds. In addition, excessive usage of computers results in development of health problems among the computer users. For example, eyesight problems due to staring on the screen and complications resulting from maintaining rigid postures for prolonged periods are examples. The role of computers in reducing outdoor activities also implicates usage of computers in the increasing rates of lifestyle diseases (Winston, 2010). Other problems include the development of social misfits due to the role of computers in learning, especially in children (Zhang, 2011). However, the majority of these problems are a reflection of the changing social structures that are accelerated by usage of computers. Therefore, though computers have negative effects on the users, the negativity is a function of the changing social structures. Computers merely accelerate the changes. Introduction Over the last few decades, the volume of computer usage has been increasing due to innovations and advancements in technology. Innovations increase the convenience of computer usage and advancements in technology facilitate the innovations. For example, the rise of the social media platforms over the last decade has increased the amount of time spent on the internet, especially by the youth. Though the increasing usage of computers are a function of advancement and reflect positive changes, it results in health problems, social problems and behavioral problems in the society. Health problems According to Winston, 2009. Lifestyle related diseases are the leading cause of death in the US today. These diseases are a function of poor lifestyle activities that limit physical exercises and therefore result in the buildup of fats in the body. For example, due to social media, people can now meet their friends from the comforts of their houses. The convenience in talking to friends virtually therefore reduces the volume of physical exercises and leads to development of lifestyle related diseases (Berleur, 2009). In addition, the volume of computer usage and sitting on chairs often results in back pains in a computer user. Usage of the arms and body posture while using a computer for prolonged periods is also responsible for numbness of the arms and shoulder and chest pains in extreme cases. In addition, staring at a computer screen for prolonged periods, especially when the screen brightness is not adjusted (Winston, 2010), leads to the development of eye problems. For example, more people require spectacles that reduce the amount of light entering the eyes due to computer usage. However, despite the role of computer usage in causing health problems, other factors play a bigger role. For example, the American diet of fast foods is responsible for the accumulation of fats. In addition, office work, regardless of computer usage, leads to a sitting posture for many hours and therefore produces similar strains to usage of computers (Greenberg, 2014). Usage of bulbs also produces the sight disorders related to the ones produced by computers (Greenberg, 2014). Therefore, a closer examination of the issue of health reveals the presence of other factors that play a significant role in the deteriorating health problems of the computer users. Though other aspect of lifestyle play a central role in determining disease likelihood, Greenberg, 2014, writes that “the problems resulting from other aspects of lifestyle cannot be used to negate the negative aspects of computer usage on lifestyles or on the health of the computer users”. Therefore, illumination of their superior role in the deteriorating health problems cannot be used to alleviate the focus of the role of computer usage on users (Winston, 2010). Therefore, computers result in the development of poor lifestyles and therefore results in health problems among the users. Relationship issues Berleur, 2009, explores the role of computer usage on contemporary relationships. He proposes that excessive usage of computers inhibits the development of effective relationships in all levels. Due to the convenience of talking to virtual people, the current generation is having problems developing proper relationships. For example, the relationships between the employers and the employees, or relationships between people in positions of leadership with the digital generation, is problematic because the relationships on the internet are not structured. Consequently, failure of internet users to perceive the relevance of authority is a consequence of poor development in communication strategies in the current generation (Berleur, 2009). In addition, the role of interpersonal relationships has reduced as a function of computer usage. For example, after work, many people log into their social media accounts for leisure, the effect of spending leisure time on the internet is a reduction of time dedicated to love ones (Luppicini, 2009). Therefore, Luppicini, 2009, shows that love relationships are strained by increasing usage of computers because computer usage reduces the amount of time dedicated to the relationship. In fact, the rising rates of divorce worldwide are a reflection of the role of computers in reducing the significance of these relationships to a person. Computer usage facilitates virtual meetings between friends. Therefore, computers ease the role of distance in relationship, especially where group meetings are no longer possible. However, the convenience of computers in facilitating meetings is a weakness (Luppicini, 2009). People increasingly prefer to spend time with their virtual friends on the internet that the friends around them. Consequently, the role of interpersonal meetings is reduced. The reduction in the value of these meetings is leading to poor development of communication strategies where real people are involved. Therefore, computers inhibit the ability for people to interact on a real basis and therefore result in social problems. Despite the role of computers in reducing the function of social functions in the society, such as reduction of the value of the social institution of marriage, these changes are not strictly a function of computer usage (Greenberg, 2014). For example, the changes in social values took shape long before the introduction of social media (Zhang, 2011). The rates of divorce have increased steadily since the emergence of the professionals in the society. Therefore, it is unfair to blame computers for all social evils in the contemporary times. The social changes are a function of changing social values. Computer usage is merely a reflection of these values. However, despite the role of the changing social values, the role of computers in accelerating the changes cannot be denied. Therefore, computers play a significant role in reducing traditional social values. Behavioral Problems In psychology, the social learning theory proposes that children learn by imitating models in their direct environment (Akers, 2007). Therefore, it is important to control the material that is accessible to the children because they pick values and attitudes from models in their environment. In addition, the behavioral theories of psychology support the social learning theory in demonstrating the role of the environment in directing learning and acquisition of traits (Akers, 2007). Parents traditionally control the material accessible to their children in the hope of fostering the influence of positive models. However, with the rise of the internet to prominence, the task is increasingly harder due to lack of controls to what material children access. In addition, video games often have violent characters who depict violence as the ‘cool’ way to solve problems (Akers, 2007). The result is that children grow up insensitive to violence. In fact, they are likely to be aggressive to achieve their objects in emulation of the video games or movie characters they associate with because of their access to computers. Therefore, the rise of computers to prominence had introduced a new agent of learning in the society. Unlike the earlier agents, computers are virtually impossible to control (Akers, 2007). Therefore, parents have no way of controlling what their children access to the internet. The result is development of violence, increasing likelihood of drug usage and disregard for life and authority. In addition, the reduction in the role and value of active play is a function of computer usage and increases the likelihood of diet related disorders in children in addition to the reduction of the role of play in the development of communication skills in the children (Akers, 2007). Therefore, computer usage in children results in development of behavior problems in children. However, despite the role of computers, other social agents play the same role. For example, abusive parents, foster development of behavioral problems. Though computers are responsible, the development of social misfits is a function of the failure of the existing social systems. In conclusion, usage of computers results in development of health problems, behavioral problems in children and social issues among the users. All these effects can be mitigated by controlling the volume of computer usage to reduce their negative effects. For example, regulation of computer access to children or supervised access can reduce the negative effects of computers on the learning process among them. However, the lack of supervisor or controlled usage reflects the fading social values of parentage. There are similar trends in other aspects of computer usage that demonstrate the role of fading social values in creating the negative effects of computer usage. References Akers, R. (2007). Social learning theory and the explanation of crime. New Brunswick: Transaction. Berleur, J. (2009). Perspectives and policies on ICT in society an IFIP TC9 (Computers and Society) handbook. New York, NY: Springer. Greenberg, J. (2014). Empowering health decisions. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Luppicini, R. (2013). Handbook of research on technoself: Identity in a technological society. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference. Winston, M. (2010). Society, ethics, and technology. Belmont, CA. Wadsworth. Zhang, T. (2011). Future computer, communication, control and automation. Berlin: Springer. Read More