Understanding how changes in technology impact on the way humans communicate and the ethical issues that surround these changes. (updated version)
Updated with the following feedback:
Thanks to the advancements in technology, we can communicate faster and more effectively than ever before.
(Marker, 2015)
The fast and constantly changing state of mobile phones, computers, tablets, and other forms of technology have enabled us as humans to find more effective, fast and immediate forms of communication through the likes of instant messaging, facebook, and email. Not to mention the range of communication technology has enabled us to have with people across the world on global issues and topics on platforms such as Twitter, which enables users to quickly and effectively share thoughts and ideas. (Wong, 2016). The evolution of technology has also enabled us to have the highest level of access to an endless expanse of information, at the touch of a button thousands of results appear before our eyes to use at our discretion.
However there are many ethical issues that have arisen with the rapid changes in technology, some of the following are issues that we may all experience when it comes to the constant technological advancements we are faced with.
(Willis, 2017)
As each tiny thing we do on our smart devices (phones, laptops, tablets, etc) is tracked and recorded, privacy is a prominent ethical issue. (Carsten Stahl, Timmermans & Flick, 2017). As well as lack of privacy being an issue, loss of personal autonomy is also an issue, as we rely more on it to help us make everyday decisions - what to eat, where to go, what movie to see, what to write that essay on, and so on. (Carsten Stahl, Timmermans & Flick, 2017). As well as the formers, technology also poses an increased risk of identity theft, with our lives based around technology, keeping most of our information on one form of technology or another, the risk of theft of identity becomes higher. (Carsten Stahl, Timmermans & Flick, 2017).
I know I myself have fallen victim to the risks of using technology, with facebook and other social media accounts being hacked and having personal information taken, along with the loss of personal autonomy, due to becoming reliant on often leaving technology such as Siri and Google to be the final decider in many matters. And I know there are many other people out there who have fallen victim too.
References
Carsten Stahl, B., Timmermans, J., & Flick, C. (2017). Ethics of Emerging Information and Communication Technologies: On the implementation of responsible research and innovation. Science And Public Policy, 44(3), 369-381. http://dx.doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scw069 Marker, G. (2015). Evolution of mobile phones. Retrieved from http://easytechnow.com/learn-technology/the-evolution-of-mobile-phones/ Willis, A. (2017). Social Media and Communication. Retrieved from http://circaedu.com/hemj/how-social-media-changed-the-way-we-communicate/ Wong, W. (2016). How Technology Has Changed the Way We Communicate. WPS Office Blog. Retrieved 17 September 2017, from http://blog.wps.com/how-technology-has-changed-the-way-we-communicate/









