Living in a Digital World: Navigating the Ethical Landscape
In the 21st century, we find ourselves immersed in a digital world that permeates every aspect of our lives. From communicating with one another to entertainment and education, the digital society we live in today has undeniably revolutionized how we interact with not only each other, but also with the world around us. However, this digitization brings with it a variety of implications, both positive and negative, that warrant critical examination. In this blog, we will delve into the multifaceted dimensions of living in a digital world, exploring its societal and ethical implications. The ramifications of being part of a digital society transcend far beyond the confines of our screens. From the way we communicate, to how we study and acquire information, the digital world we live in is a prevalent park of all aspects of our lives. I will also describe the ways in which the course has challenged me to critically think and shaped the way I view social media and technology.
One of the main problems we face living is a digital age is ethics regarding information use (Jhonson, 2021). Due to the profusion of information, we have access to has enables us to have an unprecedented amount of knowledge. Despite this abundance of knowledge we have access to, we must consider that there may be some problems with reliability and authenticity. Misinformation can spread very quickly, meaning it is quite important that us as consumers, are careful not to fall into the trap of fake news.
with social media being so familiar to some of us, I think many of us forget that we leave a digital footprint that can be exploited for many different reasons, for example data breaches, identity theft and targeted adverts. This raises many questions of privacy. The issue of personal data has become a serious issue, putting pressure on tech companies to be more transparent with their access to our data (Jhonson, 2019).
Additionally, the rapid growth in popularity of social media has undeniably, changed and shaped the way we connect, interact, communicate, and even form friendships and relationships. Despite there being an abundance o opportunity to monetise off social medias like Instagram and TikTok, we can’t ignore the bullying and pressure to be perfect it creates space for. As individuals who use social media, and are from a generation that knows no different, we must be mindful that one: social media is not reality and two: just like mean comments are unacceptable in real life, the same goes for social media.
Furthermore, as students, we can’t deny how much the digital world has aided to our learning, Online learning and even the ability to work from home has revolutionised typical notions of a career and studying, fostering great accessibility and flexibility to all individuals. However, because of this digitalisation, some issues arise, such as those who do not have access to technology or WIFI being at a major disadvantage. Also, as a lot of us may have noticed from our parents or grandparents, many people have limited digital skills, which means not everyone can benefit from digitalization (Patel, 2021).
Additionally, in equipping individuals with the digitals skills they need, no one will be left behind in this digital revolution. This means it is important that educators to prioritise digital literacy and inclusion initiatives. This digital divide can be conquered through digital literacy initiatives and enabling individuals access to devices they may not have at home (Patel, 2021). This will enable everyone to participate in the digital world of education, work and online socialising. Through fostering a lifelong learning approach, all individuals have an opportunity to thrive in this age. People of all aged can be empowered and find a confidence navigating the digital society we live in.
To wrap up, as the digital world continues to go and revolutionize the way we communicate, learn and work, it cannot be denied that the issue of limited access to devices and lack of digital skills hinders the digital world from being at its best, inclusive of all individuals, no matter the age, access to technology and skill level. Also, the implications of there being an abundance of our personal information gathered through online communications has raised many ethical questions regarding privacy and how our personal data is being used (Smith, 2020). Furthermore, the rise in popularity of social media has led to discussion regarding data privacy. Social media platforms collect large amounts of personal data which is used to generate algorithms and personal advertising. As digital citizens, it is vital that we are protecting our privacy online by advocation for transparency from tech companies. By being aware of ethical implications of data privacy and being productive in protecting our personal information, we can ensure a more ethical digital society (Jhonson, 2019).
Reflecting on my journey through the digital society course, I am quite shocked by how much I have learned, my knowledge on the impact of living in a digital world has grown massively. This course has challenged me to critically about the ethical issues inherent to out digital society and has given me the nudge I needed to be a more responsible and alert as a social media user.
I have particularly been reflecting upon our accessibility to all information, it is a true privilege to have access to all information in the world. Through ensuring I critically evaluate information found on life and discern between fact and fiction, I feel a strong sense of confidence in navigating the dynamics of the internet and digital world.
Also, during this course I have been reminded of my personal ethical responsibility. For example, respecting others privacy and spreading important information. My perspective has broadened regarding ways the digital society we live in shapes everyday aspects of life, for example education and work. I now have a deeper knowledge of the opportunities and challenges that come with our digital society.
Going forward, I feel confident that the knowledge and insights I have acquired will serve me in my professional and personal life. To summarise, the Digital society course has been transformative in the way I view everyday aspects of life. I found myself a lot of the time imagining what life would be like without technology, like how would I find the correct place without apple maps, how would I complete assignments without knowledge at my fingertips and so on. My appreciation for the privilege of technology my access and skills to use it has greatly deepened. Looking ahead, I hope all individuals come to a place of acknowledgement of the privilege we have at our fingertips, although it comes with many issues and problems, we can’t deny the benefits it has on our every day life!
