Currently, more than 60% of the population has access to the Internet , 3,000 million people own a smartphone and more than 2.14 billion made at least one purchase online in 2021. These are just three examples that show how how far the development of modern technology has come and how it has changed the way we live.
But does it strengthen us as a society or, on the contrary, does it make us more vulnerable? In this article, we investigate the advantages and disadvantages of technology.
Advantages of technology
Technological innovation has promoted the well-being of the human being. And it is that, in the last 70 years, the advantages of technology have provided humanity with the ability to live in society in a relatively comfortable way . Here we present some of the most outstanding advantages.
Quick access to information
The democratization of access to information is undoubtedly one of the greatest advantages of technology. Currently, 4.5 million searches are carried out on Google per minute , an impressive figure that demonstrates the enormous thirst for knowledge that exists, which can be satisfied through smartphones, since they allow us to access the Internet from anywhere. place.
Facilitates learning
49 % of students worldwide declared having taken an online course in the last 12 months. The easy access to teaching through the network allows anyone to train in any subject without leaving home.
In addition, according to a study carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit, 90% of leaders in the education sector affirm that students are more imaginative and creative thanks to technology, as well as 80% more productive.
Break the barrier of distance
That technology has revolutionized the way we communicate is undeniable. Without going any further, during the confinement experienced during the covid-19 pandemic, only in Spain, 8 out of 10 inhabitants between the ages of 18 and 65 (79.53%) have opted for video calls as a way to communicate with their family and friends. A clear example of how technology has broken the barriers of distance.
Simplify tasks
Technology transforms heavy or complex tasks into light or simple tasks . In addition, in recent years, automation and artificial intelligence have further simplified tasks, making our day-to-day life easier. A simple example is robot vacuum cleaners, capable of taking care of cleaning our home autonomously.
offers entertainment
Another of the advantages of technology is that it is very easy to access all kinds of multimedia content related to entertainment. Currently, streaming videos and audios account for 70% of web traffic , a figure that shows that the Internet is one of the main sources of entertainment in the 21st century.
Increased productivity and efficiency
Modern technology increases the productivity and efficiency of human activities, as it allows us to perform tasks in less time . In addition, thanks to the large amount of information available, it is possible to make better decisions and reduce human errors.
Increases life expectancy
Technology applied to medicine and people’s health has increased our life expectancy. According to data from the United Nations Organization (UN), life expectancy in the 1960s was 52.5 years and, today, the average is 72. The covid-19 vaccine is without This is undoubtedly a sample of this advantage of technology, given that, for example, in the United States it prevented 140,000 deaths and 3 million infections , a true milestone in science.
Create new jobs
Despite popular belief, technology creates more jobs than it eliminates . In the so-called fourth industrial revolution and by the year 2025 , technology will have created more than 97 million jobs worldwide. In addition, these new jobs will be much more satisfying for humans, since automation will eliminate the heaviest or repetitive jobs, allowing humans to be more creative and innovative.
Disadvantages of technology
There is no doubt that technology offers several advantages. However, its misuse or the collateral damage of its production means that the technology also has some disadvantages.
Dependence
In recent years, many people are having dependency problems with . The NGO Protégeles points out that 1.5% of citizens are already addicted to new technologies, and 21% of young people are at risk of ‘getting hooked’ on mobile phones. Therefore, using technology correctly is essential to fully enjoy its advantages.
Ethical dilemmas
The future of humanity seems to be heading towards what many movies have predicted: a society where artificial intelligence (AI) and robots will play a very important role. How far will these new technologies go? Will they be able to think or have feelings? Will they replace human beings? These are some of the ethical dilemmas we will face in the coming decades.
Dehumanization
Another of the disadvantages of technology is that a misuse of it can generate dehumanization and promote social isolation. A joint study by the Higher Technical School of Industrial Engineers of the Polytechnic University of Madrid and the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Oviedo confirms that the excessive use of mobile phones increases social isolation and psychological maladjustment and creates social conflicts.
Pollution
The evolution of technology has collateral damage that directly affects the environment . Industrialization has accelerated climate change, deforestation of forests or excessive consumption of raw materials, among other things. However, the development of technology itself can solve this problem through the creation of more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
Privacy
Did you know that, according to a study by IDC Research, there are 350,000 malware attacks worldwide every day? The lack of security on the network and the exposure of sensitive data is another of the disadvantages of the technology. Both companies and individuals are exposed to the dangers that exist on the Internet, since, even taking measures, they can be victims of some thefts or data hijackings that can cause great economic losses.
