We all are aware how technology made life less complicated for humankind.

It is referred
to as the use of technical and scientific knowledge to develop, monitor, and design
machines. We cannot deny the fact that the world is currently dependent upon technology,
and everyone from the young to the elderly appears to be heavily committed.
Technology has had an impact on every aspect of society, and it has even contributed to
improve efficiency and effectiveness. Yet, some argue that it promotes laziness and causes
individuals to focus more on the fun aspects of it rather than working and making good use
of their time. While some of the aforementioned may be true, it is indisputable that
technology has greatly contributed in enhancing our lives and altering things for the better.
The incorporation of technology breakthroughs into various aspects of our life has aided
the transformation of the world and the improvement of efficiency in nearly everything we
do.
Technology has its share of advantages, some of which are: first is the ease of access to
information. The World Wide Web, or www, has transformed the world into a communal
village. This is because the internet makes information from all around the world readily
available. While the majority of the news we read on social media is factual, we might also
find visual results for specific topics. Not only is there more news available, but all of this
information is also easily accessible. Second is ease of mobility, have you ever considered a
life without a car or a bicycle? Certainly not because technology has buried these issues
beneath our feet. The value of a vehicle can simply be measured by the fact that the
distance between the United States and Australia is about 15,187 kilometers, but it takes
just 16-17 hours to drive. Modern technology has, without a doubt, superseded older
technologies. And we can't conceive how our lives would be without it. Letters were the
most prevalent mode of communication less than a century ago, but no one would consider
writing one today because why would anyone prefer a parchment over a video call? Which
brings us to the third advantage of technology, that is, better communication means. Fourth
is that disabled people are no longer disabled. Almost anything is now feasible thanks to
modern science and technology. Brails based on electronic pulses have recently been
developed. Artificial feet, smart sticks, and other devices have been invented. Lastly, as a
student I can say that technology has been of a great aid not just for students but for
instructors also especially during this time of pandemic where the facilitation of classes
and any other forms of interaction is mainly administered on technological devices. These
devices paved the way for hundreds of students not only in the Philippines but all around
the world to continue learning amidst this pandemic. Furthermore, it has also improved the
skills of our teachers and helped them integrate scientific methods to bring motivation to
us, their students.
It is true that technology is very beneficial, but just like any other things, it is a dual edged
sword that also has its downsides. Dependence on new technology is one. It is no longer
necessary for man to think. Even if the calculator is a good invention, man no longer uses
his memory or performs mental calculations. Unemployment is likely to rise as human
capital declines. In some cases, technology can take the role of the human mind.
Community etiquette also has not yet caught up with technical advancements. Despite
announcements in movie theaters instructing spectators to turn off their phones, some
people still do so while watching a movie with a highly lighted screen or a ringing phone.
Several people use the anonymity of the Internet to distribute false information or leave
hateful comments on websites. Cyberbullying is a frequent problem, but bullying laws are
new and often difficult to enforce, in part due to difficulties identifying perpetrators from
their digital identities. Identity thieves can break into accounts using technology, while
impersonators can access social networking profiles. Moreover, cyberbullying is a frequent
problem, but bullying laws are new and often difficult to enforce, in part due to difficulties
identifying perpetrators from their digital identities. Identity thieves can break into
accounts using technology, while impersonators can access social networking profiles.
With all the new regulations governing internet access and standard etiquette in the digital
world, I can say that privacy concerns and information sharing have yet to be fully
addressed.
However, with all the risks that I have mentioned, I would like to emphasize this certain
disadvantage, that is, isolation. Ironically, the technologically dependent populace is
becoming increasingly separated from interpersonal interaction, although being more
connected than ever. That direct touch is minimized by connecting more in ways that do
not entail face-to-face interaction, such as through chat rooms, SMS, forums, and websites.
Spending more time alone in front of a computer than out in public reduces social
interaction, while letter writing and even phone talks are also declining. Society is
becoming more individualized and even alienated from face-to-face interaction as a result
of this heavy usage of technology. From what I have experienced and continue to
experience, I’m afraid to unplug from technology because of the thought that I’m missing
out on something important if I’m not always connected. We may, in fact, be missing out on
face-to-face interaction with our neighbors. Also, according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs,
the need to be loved comes after the need for food and shelter. We yearn for commitment,
love, and connections. To meet this urge, we must engage in human connection and venture
beyond of our comfort zones. Technology, on the other hand, is a barrier that separates us
from people. We yearn for relationships, but we are enslaved to our electronics, making it
difficult to leave our screens and interact with others. Furthermore, by removing the
human element of touch and depending so much on technology, online hazards such as
misrepresentation on social forums and potential predators in chat rooms are increasing. I
can also attest to this kind of feeling now that we are still facing up to this date wherein, no
matter how I frequent me and my friends talk on various social media platforms that we
have an account in, I still feel like I’m alone, that no matter how long our conversations
were, it doesn’t have an effect on me, and I still feel like I’m isolated from the rest of the
world. And it scares me to the point that I feel like my mental health is slowly deteriorating
given the fact that my old self which is an extrovert who never stops blabbing about
something suddenly stopped going out and meet her friends or peers.
Our social abilities are harmed by technology. We no longer interact physically with our
peers. We prefer social media connection, Instagram likes make us feel superior, and
technology is pulling us apart, not just in the form of social media but also in the form of
games and other forms of entertainment. We cannot deny that technology has great effects
on our lives, but it also has detrimental impacts. Advanced technology has altered our
lifestyles, resulting in increased social distance. One of the negative effects of technology is
the feeling of being alone. Companies spend time and money to create a sense of loneliness
or isolation, then make their software so addictive that individuals use it excessively to feel
connected. As a result, their brain becomes bored and unhappy, and they feel even more
alone and alienated. It is, however, up to us to break this habit; we may go out and not use
those things; after all, they are just tools, and the choice is always ours. Also, just like any
other things, technology has its own set of constraints. It is up to us to decide how will we
use it in a useful way without abusing it.
References:
https://www.advergize.com/edu/advantages-technology-modern-life/
https://classroom.synonym.com/what-are-the-disadvantages-of-technology-
12083192.html
https://www.information-age.com/modern-technology-advantages-disadvantages-
123465637/