Introduction
One thing that has amazed mankind is the speed at which new technologies emerge. It is no doubt that everyone is impacted by technology. Technology has changed since the inception of computers and mobile phones.
Technology and Life
One of the areas that technology has impacted my life is in terms of communication. The availability of the internet and smartphones, which are now affordable, helps me to communicate with friends and relatives who are in other parts of the world. For instance, through e-mails, instant chat, and video calls, I talk to my uncle, who is working as an expatriate in India. I am also capable of reading news from BBC, New York Times, US Today, among others, through my phone. This keeps me updated on all events, both locally and internationally. Despite the fact that technology has made communication easier and faster, it is worrying that I talk to my relatives and friends less when I e-mail or SMS them (Oak, 2012). Additionally, through video calls and e-mails, it is not possible to express my emotional feelings and thoughts as compared to face-to-face interaction.
On the same line of thinking, this kind of communication has been used widely in education. I have managed to enroll in some online courses and successfully graduated. Through the internet and other forms of technology such as CD, video conferencing, among others, we have managed to have a class discussion where we share course contents, ask questions, take tests, to mention but a few (Schroeder, 2010). As a student, I have really benefited from technology. For instance, when I am not sure about some terms and concepts, the internet has made it easy for me to understand them. I just have to google, and I find simplified explanations. However, the problem with this kind of learning is the fact that it lacks face-to-face interaction between students and the teacher or instructor (Oak, 2012).
Businesses have tried to adopt online or internet commerce. This has offered me a platform to shop online without experiencing the problem of queuing for hours. Well developed websites make it enjoyable to order goods and services online. It is worth noting that the approach is convenient, easy to use, saves time; one can buy whenever he or she wishes and receive the product at his or her doorstep. Additionally, for those individuals used to carrying out business face-to-face, it might not be a good idea for them to shop online (Schroeder, 2010).
Technology, particularly through internet games and social media communication, is addictive. Whenever I am free, I always find myself using social media such as Facebook or Twitter to communicate with relatives, classmates, and other friends despite the fact that we were together, maybe in class or in town. On the same note, the internet provides me with an opportunity to create videos and upload them to YouTube. Although this is another way of sharing information with others, it takes a lot of my time not only when creating these videos but also watching those already uploaded by others. Thus I lack time to carry out physical exercise, which is good for a healthy person (Greenfield, 2011).
Conclusion
In my view, I believe that technology is here to stay and we will see more changes in the future. For this reason, it is up to us to try to develop boundaries on how to use these technologies so that it does not negatively impact on our lives.
References
Greenfield, S. (2011). Modern technology is changing the way our brains work, says neuroscientist.Web.
Oak, M. (2012). What is the Impact of Technology on Our Society? Web.
Schroeder, R. (2010). The Consumption of Technology in Everyday Life: Car, Telephone, and Television in Sweden and America in Comparative-Historical Perspective. Sociological Research Online, 2(1), 27-36.