Impacts of digital technology on wider society
Computer use in the UK is widespread and new technologies have provided many benefits to society. However, this technology has raised various ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns. It has also highlighted important issues surrounding privacy.
When thinking about issues that have arisen from the use of computer technologies, it is important to consider the key stakeholderAnyone who has an interest in a business or is affected by business activity. affected. A stakeholder is anyone who is impacted by the actions of an organisation and this may include individuals, groups, manufacturers or business owners.
Understanding the wider impact of computer technologies may encourage people and organisations to think about the consequences that may arise from their actions. Computer-related laws are needed to make sure people stay on the right side of the law and act ethically.
| Digital technology | Potential positives | Potential negatives |
| Social media and communication | The ability to communicate with people across the world in real time, via emails, voice and video calls. Also to connect with family and friends through messaging, sharing photos and videos. | Difficult to escape communications, users can't always “switch off” and possible negative communications such as bullying. |
| Online shopping/e-commerce | Larger range of items available to be delivered quickly, open 24/7 and jobs in packing and delivery increase. | Reduction of shoppers in High Street shops. Closing physical stores leads to loss in jobs. More delivery vans on roads, increasing pollution. |
| Health and fitness | Easy to track fitness via apps and devices such as smart watches. Apps designed to help monitor calories. Devices used to monitor health conditions, such as diabetes, via a sensor and mobile phone. | Potential for addictions to achieving daily goals on devices. Location and data can be shared with companies. |
| Entertainment and streaming | Easy to buy tickets online for different events and a range of streaming services providing entertainment on demand | Physical media, i.e. Blu-ray and DVD being phased out as a result. Closure of cinemas as content appears online quickly. Environmental effect of everyone streaming data. Tickets being sold and/or resold online for inflated prices. |
| Digital technology | Social media and communication |
|---|---|
| Potential positives | The ability to communicate with people across the world in real time, via emails, voice and video calls. Also to connect with family and friends through messaging, sharing photos and videos. |
| Potential negatives | Difficult to escape communications, users can't always “switch off” and possible negative communications such as bullying. |
| Digital technology | Online shopping/e-commerce |
|---|---|
| Potential positives | Larger range of items available to be delivered quickly, open 24/7 and jobs in packing and delivery increase. |
| Potential negatives | Reduction of shoppers in High Street shops. Closing physical stores leads to loss in jobs. More delivery vans on roads, increasing pollution. |
| Digital technology | Health and fitness |
|---|---|
| Potential positives | Easy to track fitness via apps and devices such as smart watches. Apps designed to help monitor calories. Devices used to monitor health conditions, such as diabetes, via a sensor and mobile phone. |
| Potential negatives | Potential for addictions to achieving daily goals on devices. Location and data can be shared with companies. |
| Digital technology | Entertainment and streaming |
|---|---|
| Potential positives | Easy to buy tickets online for different events and a range of streaming services providing entertainment on demand |
| Potential negatives | Physical media, i.e. Blu-ray and DVD being phased out as a result. Closure of cinemas as content appears online quickly. Environmental effect of everyone streaming data. Tickets being sold and/or resold online for inflated prices. |