Social Impact of Technology - Essay Example

For a long time, the extent to which technology is responsible for the breakdown of social relationships has been a controversial issue among scholars, researchers and psychologist. Hundreds of technological advancements are introduced every day and the dilemma of living in a fast moving world, while averting the effects of the technology on social fiber is surfaced time and again. The impact of technology on a society and relationships may vary in different societies based on culture, religion, economy and many other factors. It has often been claimed that the socio-economic conditions have an impact on the way technology adoption changes the life style, behaviors and relationships in a society. Dr. Mamdouh (2004) asserts that, “Science and Technology have been responsible for major advances that touch on all aspects of our life. In this respect, Science and Technology have proven to be the major engines of social changes.” This technological advancement is commonly interpreted in terms of the benefits, prosperity and ease that it has to offer to society, however, the psychological and moral influence of technology is usually not studied at length. This essay will explore various foresighted, learned and far reaching effects and consequences that the continuous progression and expansion of technology can introduce in the making or breaking of social relationships. This essay will analyze the impact of technology on human relationships and argues that technology is not responsible for the breakdown of social relationships. The paper will begin with introducing technologies that can have an impact on human relationships and societies followed by the arguments in favor of technology. The essay will examine the arguments that confront the limitless use of technology and finally, it will present the conclusion drawn in the light of arguments presented in the essay. Today, most of the technological advancements are powered by electronics. Almost, every technology that can have a pertinent impact on human life and relationships, will create, enhance and maintain electronically enriched equipments. Technologies like computers, mobiles, games, television, telephone, networks and the internet all have electronics involved either in operations or functionality. In fact, this is an age of electronics and this world has turned into an electronics planet. According to National Research Council of Washington, “Electronics is one core technology arena in the form of integrated circuitry of increasingly higher density, digital devices for communication, an enlarging array of computers, and increasing sophistication in ‘user friendly’ software.” (NRC, 1983, p. 25). In its essence, technology is a neutral phenomenon, meaning thereby it does not have a positive or negative impact unless used positively or negatively as Rojcewicsz (2006, p. 151) states, “To consider technology neutral is to view it as neither good nor bad in itself; what is good or bad is the use we make of it.” The liberty in adopting a technology is often open ended, people are free to use it to any extent and the justified use is left to the free discretion of an individual. This liberty in adoption and usage of technology create equal openings for its good and ill use. Obviously, extended indulgence require extra bit of time which otherwise would have been assigned and spent with relations. Human relationship grows and strengthens through communication but increased use of technology eats up a major portion of quality time that could be utilized for building relationships. This mismanagement of time caused by the use of technology is an important argument of those who suggest a balance approach in the use of technology. Murphie and Jones (2003, p.22) asserts that, “This argument is certainly common in theoretical discourse; it also has a common-sense appeal as a social attitude: ‘it’s not the thing itself, but the way it’s used that counts’.” There are numerous everyday examples that support this argument, extensive use of games by children and adolescents consumes a major portion of available time after mandatory educational, sports and physical necessities. The negative side effect of these video games and online computer games is a serious concern for sociologists and psychiatrists. Gunter (1998, p. 126) observes that, “There is the additional suggestion that children who really become hooked on these games tend to play alone and eschew social contact. The concern about the games themselves stem from the observation that many games have violent and anti-social themes which may create more impulsive and aggressive tendencies among those who play these games a great deal.” Those who favour the argument for technology have coined many goodies attached to game playing phenomenon which supports the theme of enhanced social interaction from the use of these technologies. Gunter (p.115) notes that, “For individuals who may have difficulty establishing relationships through face-to-face encounters, however, these on-line computer games environments creates a socially beneficial alternative in which they can be more comfortable and self-confident.” If games have some good to offer to an individual in terms of caliber to integrate with the society then the ways and means should be found to spread this positive use of technology in spite of rejecting it altogether in the name of a social evil. Computer and video games are not an evil in themselves but their excessive use may be discouraged to avert any adverse effect on human relationships. Communication and dialogue is considered to be the most important aspect of human relationships. It gives birth to cordial relationships and plays a decisive role in keeping this relationship alive but unfortunately, technology has affected this important aspect of human relationship badly. Technologies like mobile phones, chatting, texting, and many other forms of mobile communication have enabled distant conversations very effectively and it is the technology which has turned this planet into a global village. There is an increasing trend of living online, especially among youth. Mueller (2007) asserts that , “According to Pew Foundation study, 87 percent of all U.S. teenagers ages 12 to 17 uses Internet.” Yet, today’s man is much more alone and deserted than he was before the advent of these technologies. Some people are of the view that Internet provides a better opportunity to those who confront shyness in building relationships, “Shyness also differentiated relationship involvement across face-to-face and online relationship with shy people doing better online.” (Duck, 2007, p.69). While this may be true to some extent its side effects are comparatively much more devastating in building true and sincere relationships and there is a logic behind negation of this argument, as Bireme & Peter (Cited in Wood & Methew, 2010, p.88) states that, “Online social communication is more likely to be an outlet for the social able person than compensatory mechanism for the shy or socially anxious individual with infrequent or superficial social contacts.” This communication is not only limited to personal relationships but businesses are also exploring new dimensions of online and offline communication technologies to establish and enhance business relationships with customers and other businesses. (Donaldson & Tom, 2000, p. 155). However, like many other technologies, communication technologies of this age have introduced new challenges to human relationships. Interpersonal communications are decreasing rapidly amid the excess of communication facilities and despite, abundant communication sources the communication gap between relationships is escalating day by day. People use emails, phones and mobile devices to wish birthdays, Christmas and even condolences are conveyed electronically in most cases where a visit to the relation was considered a social norm before the boom of these electronic technologies. While these might sound petty matters, they have a definite importance in building and enhancing close relationships. No doubt, sending an electronic message instead of a visit to convey feelings saves precious time but it is not without a cost of diminishing relationships. The mechanical use of communication sources in lieu of face-to-face meetings has introduced relationships that lack intimacy and recognition; a core product of face-to-face meetings. Erupting Mind (n.d.) suggests that, “When you communicate virtually or by phone, your communication is much more limited than it when you communicate in person.” Non-verbal cues and gestures are an important part of communications but in case of a virtual conversation no face readings, eye-contacts and body language is involved rather there is an extra reliance on choice of word and presentation skills. This can do if there are no sentiments involved in the communication but otherwise technology can only make things worse for delicate relationships. Technology is rapidly making lives busier than ever before. Technology facilitates but this facilitation has a cost to pay and that is what Muller (2011) has pointed out, “Instead of making our life easier and less complicated, many of our newer technologies have had the opposite effect: we are busier and more hurried than ever.” Technology has automated most of the routines jobs in the quest to save time but this automation has brought little good to relationships. Today, despite having the fastest moving cars, planes, and other means of communications best school time friends can seldom spare time to rejoin. It is evident from the above analysis that there is an obvious need to select and utilize the technologies intelligently lest it may cause harm to relationship ties. More often than not technologies are introduced with a good intend with no inbuilt dangers and threats. It is only the positive or negative use that can make it a blessing or curse. It will be prudent to address and eliminate threats posed by each new technology to relationships and societies before introducing them to the masses. References Donaldson & Tom. (2007) Strategic market relationships: from strategy to implementation. ,2nd eds.USA: Jhon Wiley & Sons Inc. Dr. Mamdouh, (2004) ‘Social Impact of Technology: A perspective of Developing Countries’, Proceeding of the 13th International Conference on Management of Technology, 2004, Bahrain: Arabian Gulf University P. 1. Duck. (2007) Human relationships. New Delhi, India: Sage Publications. Erupting Mind, n.d., ‘The effects of technology on social relationships’, Erupting Mind Education [Online]. Available from: http://www.eruptingmind.com/effect-technology-social-relationships/ (Accessed: 22 July 2011). Gunter. (1998) The effects of video games on children: the myth unmasked. England: Sheffield Academic Press.   Mueller. (2007) Youth Culture 101. USA: Youth Specialties. Muller. (2011)The Transformational CIO: Leadership and Innovation Strategies for IT executives in a rapidly changing world. New Jersey, USA: John Wiley and Sons. Murphie. & John. (2003) Culture and technology, China: Palgrave Macmillan. NRC. (1983) ‘International Competition in Technology: Decisions for America: A Consensus Statement Prepared by the Panel of Advance Technology competition and the Industrialized Allies’. Washington, USA: National Academy Press. Rojcewicz. (2006) The gods and technology: a reading of Heidegger, Albany, USA: State University of New York Press. Wood. & Matthew. (2010) Online communication: linking technology, identity, and culture, 2nd ed, USA: Lawrence Erlbaurn Associates Inc. Read More