Dependency on Screen Technology - Essay Example

DEPENDENCY ON SCREEN TECHNOLOGY By Name Course Instructor Institution City/State Date Dependency on Screen Technology Introduction A screen technology such as touchscreen is an electronic visual display capable of detecting the location as well as the presence of a touch in the area of the display. Generally, touchscreen connotes a device display operated by hand or finger. Basically, screen technology refers to a monitor, rooted either in a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology, which accepts onscreen input directly. In this case, the direct onscreen input ability is enabled by the internal (controller as well as touch overlay) and external device (light pen), which relays both the X and Y coordinates to the monitor (Bhalla & Bhalla, 2010, p.12). Basically, the key attributes of a screen technology include; facilitates direct interaction with what is being displayed, instead of indirectly using a cursor controlled by a touchpad or mouse. Besides that, screen technology allows a person to interact freely without the need for an intermediate handheld device. Utilisation of screen technology enables the user to manipulate the digital environment. In the current society, the way through which people interact physically with electronic devices has changed, and this change has resulted in various advancements, such as the touch screen technology development. By utilising screen technology, the user is offered an alternative method of interacting with the device (Kalia et al., 2013, p.81). The essay provides an analysis of dependency on screen technology by providing substantial evidence why screen technologies are bad. Individual A key benefit of screen technologies as compared to other input methods is their user-friendliness. Even though most users utilise the combination of mouse and keyboard, the practice of interacting through screen touching comes automatically even for individuals with no computer background. Besides that, touch-screen interface may lessen the time required for training and empower users to search for information utilise screen technologies. Individuals browsing the web through screen technologies such as tablets and smartphones can easily understand the content as compared to the person utilising a personal computer. In case the content is not relevant or interesting to the mobile device user, individual using screen technologies can switch to a new web page or application immediately. Imperatively, screen technologies enable users to directly choose icons, devoid of getting worrying about deciphering horizontal movement of a mouse to the vertical screen. Besides that, instant messaging, email, and texts offered by screen technologies have improved interactions with deaf people. Nowadays, smart video phones, tablet computers, smartphones as well as different apps allow the deaf to do nearly everything that is done by the hearing community, from calling to ordering products (Jensen, 2011). Moreover, popular applications for video chats like Skype as well as Facetime are helpful for deaf people communication through lip reading as well as American Sign Language (ASL). Besides that, screen technologies have been espoused in the workplace to improve workers’ productivity, wherein most workplaces have embraced bring your own device (BYOD) philosophy. This has enabled workers to become more connected to their workplaces. Still, in spite of the above mentioned benefits of screen technologies to individuals, screen technologies are bad as evidenced in the next paragraph. Antagonists of screen technology argue that this technology takes away time that people need for learning as well as exploring the world physically by means of interactions as well as play. Besides that, doctors as well as educators are concerned that overexposure to screen technology may negatively impact the development of brains, especially amongst children (Linn et al., 2012, p.5). Radiation attributed to screen technology affect the brain, but this theory is yet to be proven considering that scores of professionals argue that screen technology cannot expose users to adequate radiation that can result in harm. Even though this offers a little relief, reference posits that screen technology emitted radio frequencies can negatively affect a developing brain. As stated by reference, the arrival of new screen devices presents a unique challenge for young children. From the childhood, a lot of children lives are dominated by screen technologies, which in consequence, have altered childhood significantly. Children aged above three years according to studies can be positively impacted by screen technology; therefore, media content that are thoughtfully constructed may contribute to learning as well as promote pro-social behaviors for children, particularly when under the supervision of an adult. However, the content displayed in screen technologies may be harmful to kids. For instance, digital activities as well as games that limit children to responses preset may reduce creativity. Besides that, screen technology can expose children to media violence, which is associated with violence, lack of sympathy for victims as well as desensitization to violence. In consequence, the media violence observed through screen technologies lead to poor performance in schools for children and in workplaces for adults. Children use screen technologies to watch animations and play games, which as observed by reference have a negative effect on the executive function skills, which includes problem solving, self-.regulation and attention. As indicated in this paragraph, it is without a doubt that screen technologies are bad. Society Screen technologies offer the users a platform for socializing, where they interact as well as connect with people so as to establish or form social networks. Social technologies help in diminishing the stress level that people experience in their day to day activities (Schaefer, 2013). People build positive and constructive relationships because of the created networks. Screen technologies are as well valuable in helping users with physical issues, especially those who cannot use keyboard and mouse setup. For instance, people with arthritis can find it challenging to use mouse or keyboard, but touchscreen technologies can make things easier. Therefore, accessing screen icons directly can be much easier for persons with physical challenges, particularly when integrated with pointing device so as to improve the interface. Screen technologies also promote education considering that students can access information online easily. Nowadays, students are used to updated and instant information considering that printed textbooks do not offer students with the up-to-date information like screen technologies such as Smartphone and tablets do. Moreover, digital textbooks that can be accessed through mobile devices have helped students remain organized as well as offer them easy access to learning materials (Chen & Denoyelles, 2013). Furthermore, the majority of these digital textbooks are regularly updated making them more helpful, vivid, resourceful, and cheaper as compared to printed books. Therefore, technologies are going to becoming smarter, faster as well as cheaper (Wright, 2015). Allowing the use of screen technologies in school may help expand learning beyond the classroom setting since students can access information anywhere and anytime. Through use of technology a variety of populations can be supported, which includes community members, neighborhood, professional researchers, as well as the companies’ employees who can gain from maintained ties (Ellison et al., 2007, p.1165). As mentioned above, screen technologies are beneficial to the society, but as proved in the next paragraph their negative social impacts make screen technologies bad. Screen technologies have negative social effects. Screen technologies, especially touchscreen are social distractors, and can possibly reduce the productivity of workers at the workplace and students concentration in the schools. Considering that touchscreen devices such as Smartphones can fit in the users’ pocket, they can constantly use them to check sports scores, email, Facebook, text messages, as well as surfing the internet. In consequence, this reduces the time used in focusing on school work or on business projects. In addition, users of screen technologies often use the technologies during seminars as well as business meetings, instead of concentrating on the presentations. Use of screen technologies has resulted in addition, which is proliferating at a disturbing rate, considering that the number of college students, teens, and middle-age parents are becoming addicted to these technologies (Harjani, 2014). Addition to various technologies is fairly a new occurrence that is prevalent within the digital society. Text messages, mobile phones, surfing the internet, and watching, movies through screen technologies has made people become addicts and less productive in the society. It is without doubt that technological advancements result in creative destruction. Most of the accidents that take place daily are attributed to mobile phones. The majority of screen technologies, especially touchscreen devices lead to dangerous driving, which consequently has led to increased number of accidents (Tessler, 2012). Aside from accidents, screen technologies have a negative impact on health a number of studies carried out by health experts providing evidence that touchscreen and other mobile devices have a negative effect on the health. In the society, the students are no longer focussing on books but rather on their mobile devices. They are misusing screen technologies to play games and socialise most of the times rather than reading various digital textbooks. These days, students focus more on wasting their time on screen technologies, instead of spending it on learning. The negative social impacts of screen technologies as discussed above makes them bad. Crime Screen technologies have turned out to be a powerful tool for fighting crime considering that mobile devices have contacts, call history, web browser history, text messages, electronic mails, GPS (Global Positioning System), in addition to other location information valuable for the police. Besides that, people can use their Smartphones or tablets to report crimes as well as send tips to law enforcement agencies. Individuals can utilize their screen devices to send videos and digital photos of ongoing crime to police. Besides that, these technologies have reduced paperwork, and at the same time as have improved how important crime information is captured especially in the scenes of crime. Using screen technologies, crime investigators can record witness statements in the scenes of crime (Your Ready Business, 2015). Screen technologies help people get instant access to accurate information about dangerous situations through government websites and their service providers’ online sites (Britt, 2013). In spite of their ability to be utilized as crime protection and investigations tools, screen technologies are still bad since they can be used by people with bad motives as evidenced below. In the current digital age, screen technologies have become more popular among people lives, and the hackers and malicious attackers have taken advantage of its popularity. Nowadays, screen technologies play a crucial part in nearly all crimes committed. Smart-phones, tablets, computers as well as the internet are presently part of everyone’s life, which consequently create new vulnerabilities that are exploited quickly by organized crime groups. Criminals are utilizing screen technologies to carry out new crimes as well as to commit conventional felonies in novel ways. These crimes can be committed to a myriad of victims, with anonymity as well as from any location, making it difficult to detect as well as pursue such criminals. Stalking, identity theft, scam, illegal electronic surveillance, pornography, as well as intellectual property theft are just but a few of crimes that are committed daily on screen technologies (Britt, 2013). This proves that screen technologies are bad. Conclusion In conclusion, the essay has provided an analysis of dependency on screen technology by providing arguments to prove that screen technologies are bad in terms of individuals, society and crime. As mentioned in the essay, even though screen technologies have negatively impacted the society, it has for a greater part helped in making peoples’ lives better. Besides that, screen technologies have largely assisted people to become more efficient and have improved their productivity. Besides that, these technologies have helped people to save both time and money, but have resulted in addition especially amongst the youths. Both schools and businesses have embraced screen technologies to change the way students and employees communicate and interact while at school and work respectively. The technologies can also be used for crime investigation and improving security with the society, but organised crime groups are using these technologies for both financial and non-financial gain. References Bhalla, M.R. & Bhalla, A.V., 2010. Comparative Study of Various Touchscreen Technologies. International Journal of Computer Applications, vol. 6, no. 8, pp.12-18. Britt, D., 2013. Fighting Crime with Mobile Technology. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://source.southuniversity.edu/fighting-crime-with-mobile-technology-137309.aspx" http://source.southuniversity.edu/fighting-crime-with-mobile-technology-137309.aspx [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Chen, B. & Denoyelles, A., 2013. Exploring Students' Mobile Learning Practices in Higher Education. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://er.educause.edu/articles/2013/10/exploring-students-mobile-learning-practices-in-higher-education" http://er.educause.edu/articles/2013/10/exploring-students-mobile-learning-practices-in-higher-education [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Ellison, N.B., Steinfield, C. & Lampe, C., 2007. The Benefits of Facebook ‘‘Friends:’’ Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, vol. 12, no. 4, pp.1143–68. Harjani, A., 2014. Mobile addiction growing at an alarming rate. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.cnbc.com/2014/04/24/mobile-addiction-growing-at-an-alarming-rate.html" http://www.cnbc.com/2014/04/24/mobile-addiction-growing-at-an-alarming-rate.html [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Jensen, E., 2011. Smart video phones are a sign of better days for deaf users. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/smart-video-phones-are-a-sign-of-better-days-for-deaf-users-20110307-1bl9r.html" http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/smart-video-phones-are-a-sign-of-better-days-for-deaf-users-20110307-1bl9r.html [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Kalia, 1., Sandhu, G. & Kaushal, A., 2013. Touch Screens: Technology for Better Tomorrow. International Journal of Electronics and Communications, vol. 4, no. 5, pp.81-83. Linn, S., Almon, J. & Levin, D., 2012. Facing the Screen Dilemma: Young children, technology and early education. Boston, MA: Alliance for Childhood. Schaefer, L., 2013. The rise of digital socializing. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.technicianonline.com/features/article_e184b80a-aaf7-11e2-a900-001a4bcf6878.html" http://www.technicianonline.com/features/article_e184b80a-aaf7-11e2-a900-001a4bcf6878.html [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Tessler, F., 2012. The hidden danger of touchscreens. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.infoworld.com/article/2618327/laptop-computers/the-hidden-danger-of-touchscreens.html" http://www.infoworld.com/article/2618327/laptop-computers/the-hidden-danger-of-touchscreens.html [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Wright, S., 2015. Technology is magic (and faster, smaller & cheaper according to Moore’s law). [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://techgirl.co.za/2015/04/28/technology-is-magic-and-faster-smaller-cheaper-according-to-moores-law/" http://techgirl.co.za/2015/04/28/technology-is-magic-and-faster-smaller-cheaper-according-to-moores-law/ [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Your Ready Business, 2015. Fighting crime with mobile technology. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.yourreadybusiness.co.uk/fighting-crime-with-mobile-technology/" http://www.yourreadybusiness.co.uk/fighting-crime-with-mobile-technology/ [Accessed 8 September 2015]. Read More

Nowadays, smart video phones, tablet computers, smartphones as well as different apps allow the deaf to do nearly everything that is done by the hearing community, from calling to ordering products (Jensen, 2011). Moreover, popular applications for video chats like Skype as well as Facetime are helpful for deaf people communication through lip reading as well as American Sign Language (ASL). Besides that, screen technologies have been espoused in the workplace to improve workers’ productivity, wherein most workplaces have embraced bring your own device (BYOD) philosophy.

This has enabled workers to become more connected to their workplaces. Still, in spite of the above mentioned benefits of screen technologies to individuals, screen technologies are bad as evidenced in the next paragraph. Antagonists of screen technology argue that this technology takes away time that people need for learning as well as exploring the world physically by means of interactions as well as play. Besides that, doctors as well as educators are concerned that overexposure to screen technology may negatively impact the development of brains, especially amongst children (Linn et al., 2012, p.5).

Radiation attributed to screen technology affect the brain, but this theory is yet to be proven considering that scores of professionals argue that screen technology cannot expose users to adequate radiation that can result in harm. Even though this offers a little relief, reference posits that screen technology emitted radio frequencies can negatively affect a developing brain. As stated by reference, the arrival of new screen devices presents a unique challenge for young children. From the childhood, a lot of children lives are dominated by screen technologies, which in consequence, have altered childhood significantly.

Children aged above three years according to studies can be positively impacted by screen technology; therefore, media content that are thoughtfully constructed may contribute to learning as well as promote pro-social behaviors for children, particularly when under the supervision of an adult. However, the content displayed in screen technologies may be harmful to kids. For instance, digital activities as well as games that limit children to responses preset may reduce creativity. Besides that, screen technology can expose children to media violence, which is associated with violence, lack of sympathy for victims as well as desensitization to violence.

In consequence, the media violence observed through screen technologies lead to poor performance in schools for children and in workplaces for adults. Children use screen technologies to watch animations and play games, which as observed by reference have a negative effect on the executive function skills, which includes problem solving, self-.regulation and attention. As indicated in this paragraph, it is without a doubt that screen technologies are bad. Society Screen technologies offer the users a platform for socializing, where they interact as well as connect with people so as to establish or form social networks.

Social technologies help in diminishing the stress level that people experience in their day to day activities (Schaefer, 2013). People build positive and constructive relationships because of the created networks. Screen technologies are as well valuable in helping users with physical issues, especially those who cannot use keyboard and mouse setup. For instance, people with arthritis can find it challenging to use mouse or keyboard, but touchscreen technologies can make things easier. Therefore, accessing screen icons directly can be much easier for persons with physical challenges, particularly when integrated with pointing device so as to improve the interface.

Screen technologies also promote education considering that students can access information online easily. Nowadays, students are used to updated and instant information considering that printed textbooks do not offer students with the up-to-date information like screen technologies such as Smartphone and tablets do.

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