The Ups & Downs of Living in a Digital Society
The digital age is here. Chatting with someone in a different continent? No problem. Having a product delivered to your home on the same day? Sure. The opportunities are endless with modern technological capabilities, however these capabilities also bring challenges. Addiction and data protection are just two of the challenges facing both us as consumers of technology, but also the large organisations providing and maintaining these technologies. This blog post provide an answer to the following…
What are the positive AND negative implications of living in a digital age, and what are the ethical considerations associated with this new way of living?
The Ultimate Communication Tool
With healthcare and education uses in mind when initially developed, the internet now acts as the ultime communication tool for individuals all over the globe.
“What do you use the internet for?”
“Communicating with friends and family — not only those ones who live far away but also those who live in the same house” — Anonymous student contributor (Digital Society, Week 3)
The rise of the internet has lead to many things, for example online shopping, gaming and entertainment streaming, however it is the development of social media platforms which has given way to this new way of communicating. There are now 3.8 billion active social media users across the globe today, emphasising the popularity and scale of these platforms.
The increased level of connectivity amongst these individuals has lead to an increase in virtual social contact, therefore reducinging feelings of loneliness and isolation. This was particularly important during the COVID-19 lockdown periods, in which the internet and social media platforms played a massive role in keeping people connected, highlighting the importance of digital communication in our lives. It is likely the effects of the pandemic would be even more severe if we did not have access to this level of connectivity. However, social media use also has its drawbacks, particularly in the form of addiction.
The dangers of internet addiction are just one of the negative implications associated with social media use. This addiction can lead to further problems such as depression and anxiety, therefore having a significant effect on an individual’s mental health. This therefore begs the question, is it ethically right to promote and advertise these platforms if they have such adverse effects on people’s mental state? Whilst some argue that these negative effects are to only get worse as the platforms develop, the element of community, togetherness and connectivity created for so many individuals cannot be ignored. This was particularly brought to light throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period as stated previously, in which social media became a ‘crucial communication tool’.
The Value of Data
Have you ever been browsing the internet, then out of nowhere a recommendation for a product pops up and you’ve thought ‘hmm yeah, I like that, I think I’ll go ahead and buy it!’. This is all because of data.
When online shopping, using social media, or just browsing the internet, companies are constantly capturing, storing and analyzing large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data, utilising machine learning to gain a greater insight into consumer shopping habits. A positive implication for users of these sites would be the useful purchase recommendations that are displayed. Companies like Amazon for example, may use personalised advertising based on recent search histories to recommend a specific product, therefore providing a level of efficiency, convenience and ease for the consumer. Whereas 15 years ago you might spend days looking for the right product to suit your needs, you can now simply have it presented straight to you.
Sounds ideal, right? Well there’s always a price to pay…
“Data is the new oil” — Clive Humby (Data Scientist)
The above quote from Clive Humby, a leading data scientist, encapsulates the true value of data to these large companies. Yes, we may not be paying a higher monetary price for these convenient recommendations, but we are surrendering some of our privacy in agreeing to the storage of our own personal data. However, you may ask, ‘what’s the issue if these companies are keeping our data safe?’. As summarised in the Sony example below, keeping customer data secure is often easier said than done.
In 2011, Sony experienced a ‘cyber terrorist’ attack, resulting in 77 million registered user accounts being compromised. Labelled one of the largest data security breaches in history, this event highlighted the power and ethical responsibility these large organisations hold in keeping consumer data secure. As stated previously, data is the new oil, therefore it is highly sought after not only by these large organisations, but also individuals with perhaps more malicious intentions.
What would happen if a company like Amazon was hacked, retrieving individuals’ contact information, browsing history and social media data? Would we as individuals continue to support the storage and analysis of our personal information, just so we can experience the convenience of having products recommended to us? This will likely depend on a variety of factors, for example what kind of data you agree to be held, how often you shop online, how accurate the recommendations are etc. Me personally, I’m not too sure whether I like the idea of Mr Bezos doing all my shopping for me…
The following BBC article by Leo Kelion provides a deeper look into ‘why Amazon knows so much about you’.
Reflecting on my Experiences within the Digital Society Course
Prior to starting this course, I thought I had a relatively strong understanding of technology and the digital world. However, this course soon made me realise a whole other side to technology. From learning about the ‘Internet of things’ embedding itself into our lives without even realising it’s there, to smart cities and the way they’re implementing technology in innovative ways to increase the quality of life for the population, a wide variety of themes and concepts were covered which has opened my eyes to the increasingly digital society we’re all living in…
Challenges along the way…
One element I found particularly challenging within this course would be writing in a blog post style. We have always been told not to write in first person for assessed work and to keep the writing formal, therefore switching to the blog post style was somewhat tricky. However, I used the feedback from digisoc 1 and 2 to develop my writing style and include more links, subheadings, quotes and bold highlights to really add character to my blog posts. I’ve found writing in this style extremely refreshing, and feel like I’m able to express my thoughts effectively whilst adding a creative element too. I now really enjoy writing blog posts, and have actually started writing my own blog as a hobby!
What have I learnt?
Thanks to this course, I believe I have gained a critical and inquisitive mindset when it comes to the technology that surrounds us. For example, after learning about the Internet of things in week 8, I am now hyper aware of the devices that are all around us, monitoring and communicating to gain ‘ambient intelligence’. I myself own IoT devices such as an Amazon Echo, therefore having the realisation of the wider uses of this device within the overall network was extremely insightful. Likewise, week 6’s content based upon online identity gave me a new perspective as to the way I behave online. I am now extremely aware of what I post on my social media accounts, and the impact this may have in the future. An appreciation of these technologies and an awareness as to their impact on our lives is a major takeaway from this course for me.
Looking to the future…
Becoming a more critical thinker is something I am thankful for within this course. I now know not to take information at face value. I question it to determine whether I agree or disagree, or whether further research or discussion is needed. Also, insights from other students within the contribution boards is something I will also take forward. Discussions within the topics proved useful in thoroughly understanding themes within the course, therefore a focus on collaboration and discussion is definitely something I aim to take forwards both academically and professionally.
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed the DigiSoc course! Its open and relaxed nature was a great addition to my final year at university, and I believe I am now a more responsible, yet skeptical citizen within an increasingly digital world.
