Outline

Effects Of Technology

I.             Introduction

Although technology brought us achievements and advancements, they also have negative effects pinned on them.  There are some effects of technology that can be seen through health, social lives and the increase of crime rate.

II.            Body

                A.            The first negative effect of technology is that it is bad for health.

                                1.            Modern technology is a contributing factor to many types of diseases.

                                                a.            Electronic devices especially mobile phones emit certain radiations                                                          that are harmful to humans human beings.

                                                                i.              According to the National Cancer Institute (2011),                                                                                            researchers have investigated the possible role of cell                                                                                   phones and other sources of radiofrequency exposure and                                                                                 their cancer risks in humans and animals.

                                                b.            3D glasses emit several light rays that can affect the eyes.

                                                                i.              Kenny & Keiler (2010) mentioned of a person affected by                                                                            the light rays emitted by the usage of a 3D glasses. As a                                                                                                 result, his eyes would  converge when he looks at a nearby                                                                         object and diverge when he looks in a distance (Kenny &                                                                    Keiler, 2010).

                                2.            People who spend a lot of time using technology like the Internet, television                                     and video games can increase the likelihood of diseasese as a result of not                                   getting enough physical activities.

                                                a.            They are too occupied with social networks or games. This can take                                                         them away from exercising.

                                                b.            They can suffer other illnesses like lack of sleep, migraine and stress.

                                                c.             The number of obese children have increased rapidly due to the                                                              invention of television.

                                                                i.              According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention                                                                        (2004), the number of obese children has tripled since 1980.                                                                       The major cause of the rising numbers is due to electronic                                                                                 usage.

                                                                ii.             Lack of physical activity activities important factor in the                                                                                increase of obesity among childen.  Studies have shown that                                                                      children who spend a lot of time watching television and                                                                               playing video games are at a higher risk of being obese.  The                                                                               study found that one in three high school youth do not                                                                                                 engage in vigorous physical activities.  In fact, less than 30%                                                                         attend daily gym classes.  Sprawling development that                                                                                  discourages physical activity and makes walking and biking                                                                           difficult or dangerous is also a factor (Boyse, 2008).

                                3.            Technology advancements though they improve the country’s production                                          sector, lead to environmental pollutions that are hazardous to humans                                                                 beings.

                                                a.            The Environmental Pollution Counters (2009) states that those who                                                        use contaminated water are prone to dangerous diseases such as                                                           diarrhoea and respiratory infections.

                                                b.            Harmful gasses that are released to the atmosphere can also lead                                                            to diseases in children such as asthma, eye irritations and skin                                                                    problems.

                B.            Technology can also affect social lives.

                                1.            Technology changes the way people communicate with                one another.

                                                a.            People prefer communicating through social networks instead of                                                             face-to-face interactions.

                                                b.            Personal bonds can no longer exist as people prefer virtual                                                                         communication.

                                                                i.              Making sure messages reflect their actual meaning                                                                                         presents extra challenges.  For example, Internet acronyms                                                                       or slangs such as "LOL" and "LMOA" describe laughter, but                                                                             these are no real substitutes to people’s laughter. Laughter ,                                                                      has real power in lifting our spirits when we are feeling                                                                                                 low(Lickermen A., 2010).

                                                c.             People can feel isolated because they only have “online” friends.

                                                                i.              We may feel we are connecting effectively with others via                                                                          the Internet, but too much electronic-relating paradoxically                                                                        engenders a sense of social isolation(Lickermen A., 2010).

                                2.            Technology causes poor communication skills.

                                                a.            Teenagers are able to express themselves virtually but are unable to                                                     do so verbally.

                                                b.            People tend to say things without thinking.

                                                                i.              The Internet convinces people especially youths to follow                                                                           the Western philosophy of absolute freedom. It is therefore                                                                      a paradise for individual achievements where private life is                                                                               without obstacles and external interference (Ru, 1998).  

                                3.            Youths are exposed to negative influences.

                                                a.            Without guidance youths will be influenced by what follow they see                                                       on the television, Internet and radio.

                                                                i.              The Internet corrupts people’s minds, influences and                                                                                    changes people’s moral perspectives and ethical values                                                                                                (Ru,1998).

                C.            Lastly, technologies can also lead to various crimes.

                                1.            Cyber crimes that violate people’s privacy like hacking are on the rise.

                                                a.            Many websites have been hacked by irresponsible people and                                                                                 caused important information and data to be lost.

                                                                i.              According to Lulz Security (2011), the cyber attack on                                                                                      Citibank seized 200,000                 credit card account numbers,                                                                                     customer names and email addresses.

                                                b.            People’s private information can be obtained easily with technology.

                                                                i.              According to Bethesda (2011), hackers can gain access to                                                                              user’s names, email addresses and passwords.

                                2.            Technology has also enable people to easily share and obtain movies and                                            songs.

                                                a.            There are a lot of websites that offer free downloads. Hence,this will                                                     affect the film and music industry.

                                                                i.              People are using the Internet to download or upload music                                                                         files for free via the Internet (Rema Ling, 2009).

                                                b.            The music and film industry suffer losses yearly due to declining                                                                               sales.

                                                                i.              EMI Records was forced to shut down in March 2009 and                                                                              Universal Music had to relocate parts of its operation to                                                                                India.

                                3.            Modern technology easily spreads rumours.

a.            Rumours can provoke and this can disturb the country’s peace and harmony.

III.           Conclusion.

                While technology may have brought good, its negative effects are apparent.