Public Policy That Has Positive Impact on IT - Essay Example

The use of computers and the internet has become the most influential tool for advancing one’s business and improving the database of knowledge both on a personal and professional basis.
Indeed, while the use of information technology has greatly increased the efficiency of people, it has also been a major factor that could be used against the wider welfare of society. The government control and regulation processes, therefore, need to become important guidelines for users of information technology. The paper would be discussing one positive and one negative factor of public policy vis-à-vis information technology.

Public policy that has a positive impact on IT
The government across the globe has been very encouraging with regard to the use of information technology within business operations. In America, the use of technology has been the major factor for its fast-paced development. Barnett (2009) strongly believes that America has maintained its leverage in the changing political economy of the world chiefly because of technology. It has greatly facilitated communication, making it the most significant factor that controls the market mechanism. In 1981, President Bush had signed legislation regarding Research and Development Tax Credit. It ensures that America becomes an attractive location for global research activities which has greatly facilitated business interests in emerging new industries in the area of information technology (Hall, 1992). The policy has been a major motivator for technology-based innovation and development processes.

Public policy has negative repercussions on the social fabric
It is no doubt that the internet has become the most powerful tool of information that has redefined communication across the globe. But the adverse impact of internet use has also emerged as a major concern for people at large. The lack of effective control vis-à-vis the use of internet-based information has resulted in a huge number of cybercrimes like identity theft, misuse of confidential information, etc. Cleaver (2006) has shown great concern about the misuse of the internet by children and calls for more effective government and social policies that would help to protect and safeguard the interests of the children.

Conclusion
Indeed, information technology has significantly influenced all aspects of the personal professional lives of people. It had hugely benefited business outcomes. But at the same time, it has also exposed children to adult sites like pornography, violence, etc. which are having an adverse impact on their psyche. Indeed, the increased violence exhibited by children can be contributed to various media like new-age television and the internet. Thus, there is a need for the government to introduce more stringent laws. Read More