Like it or not, technology is a huge part of our lives and unless you live on a remote island and have made a conscious decision to 'opt out' of modern living, you will probably understand some of these reasons technology is both a blessing and a curse. We have much to thank modern advancements in technology for. Indeed, if it wasn't for modern technology, you wouldn't be able to indulge in a little AWS action whilst at your desk in the office (yeah, I see ya!) Or on the train on your way to work. As with anything though, there are the good, the bad and the downright annoying. So here are some of my reasons technology is both a blessing and a curse.
1. Networking
I will begin my list of reasons technology is both a blessing and a curse with a blessing and one of the great things about technology is the fact that you can network. This can be great for small businesses and budding entrepreneurs. LinkedIn and other social networking sites are great for people promoting their businesses and services.
2. Cyber Bullying and Stalking
Cyberbullying is an unfortunate by-product of technology and there are many disturbing stories about young people who have been bullied online or on their mobile devices. It can have devastating consequences and is something many organizations are working towards tackling. According to dosomething.org, an organization in England that campaigns for social change for young people, nearly 43% of young people have been bullied online and girls are about twice as likely as boys to be victims and perpetrators of cyber bullying. Also, one of the other downsides of technology is cyberstalking. Unfortunately, it is a rising crime in Britain but it is hard to quantify. Have you been a victim of cyberbullying or cyberstalking?
3. Spreading Awareness
Technology has an incredible power to do good. Information can reach millions of people and through the internet, people can spread awareness about things going on in the world. Charities have the ability to spread their message to many people and anyone can share their story with the world, inspiring others and seeking help for their cause.
4. Dating
Many people have met the man or woman of their dreams through online dating and this is one of the great things about the advancements in technology. It has meant that people can communicate with their potential partner, despite maybe living hundreds of miles away from each other. I know a few people who have met the partner of their dreams through online dating, which proves that it can be a doorway to lifelong love.
5. Procrastination
Technology can be a curse because it can take that precious time away from us. If you have a tendency to spend hours online then this can be dangerous as you could be pursuing your goals and ambitions instead of spending all your time online. And whether it's computer games, virtual reality programs that take you away from the real world or social networking, it can be incredibly addictive.
6. Bargains Galore
Another reason technology is a blessing is the fact that you can get many bargains online without even leaving your living room. If you're a busy mother who can't go out and do the shopping, you can forget the queues and get online to grab some amazing bargains. Next-day delivery also means that even if you leave things to the last minute, you can have that item you desire the very next day.
7. Information at Your Fingertips
One of the reasons technology is a blessing is the fact that you literally have information at your fingertips. Whenever we need to know the answer to a question or find a recipe, all we have to do is type it into the search engine and voila! I know it's something we take for granted now but it's quite amazing that we can find out what we want, when we want.
8. Privacy
We have all seen the impact that cyber hacking can have and if you're a celebrity, you're all the more vulnerable to invasions of privacy. This is undoubtedly one of the curses of technology and unless we do everything we can to protect our precious data, we are all potential victims of computer hackers. Also, we are so technology dependent now that much of our personal data is in the ether and is vulnerable to fraud. I have to say, this is something that scares me a little.
9. Passwords
This is one of my bug bears. I hate the fact I have to remember a billion passwords and PIN numbers. I know they are necessary for security however, it can be difficult to remember them all and sometimes my mind just goes blank when I'm at the checkout or when I'm having to sign into an online account. Surely there must be an easier way?!
10. Convenience
There is no doubt that technology has made life so much more convenient. We can do online banking instead of going to the bank itself. We can shop online whilst enjoying a cup of tea and we can find information from the comfort of our sofa.
11. Saving Lives
Advances in technology mean that lives are being saved every day and in the future, many more lives will be saved as a result of technological advancements. Medical futurists predict amazing things for the future such as the ability for nanorobots to enter the bloodstream and intervene even before a disease appears and humanoid robots that will be able to care for the elderly and sick children.
There are so many reasons that technology is both a blessing and a curse. Can you think of any more or can you relate to any of the reasons above? Perhaps you think technology is more of a curse than a blessing or the other way round? I would love to hear!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is technology considered a good thing?
- Technology is seen as good because it makes life easier with things like computers, smartphones, and the internet. It helps us talk to friends and family far away, find information quickly, and do our work better.
- In what ways can technology be bad?
- Technology can be bad because it can be addictive, make people less social face-to-face, and lead to issues like cyberbullying or identity theft. Some people also think it can make us lazy and depend too much on gadgets.
- Does technology help us connect with others?
- Yes, technology like social media can help us stay in touch with friends and family around the world, but it's important to also spend time with people in person.
- Is technology hurting our privacy?
- Yes, sometimes technology can hurt our privacy because companies and hackers can get our personal information from the internet if we're not careful.
- Can technology lead to health problems?
- Yes, using technology a lot can cause health problems like hurting our eyes from staring at screens, or neck and back pain from not sitting right. Also, not moving around much because of technology can be unhealthy.
- Is technology making us smarter or dumber?
- It's a bit of both. Technology can make us smarter by giving us lots of information and helping us learn new things. But some people think it can make us dumber if we rely on it too much and don't think for ourselves.
- How does technology affect jobs?
- Technology creates new jobs, like in computer programming, but it can also take away jobs, like when machines replace people. It can also make some jobs easier to do.
- Does technology help in education?
- Yes, technology helps in education by giving access to a lot of learning resources online and making it easier for teachers and students to communicate and share work.
- How can technology be bad for the environment?
- Technology can harm the environment if we throw away phones and computers without recycling them because they can pollute the earth. Also, making and using a lot of technology uses up a lot of energy.
- Can we control how we use technology?
- Yes, we can control how we use technology by setting limits on our screen time, being careful about sharing our personal information, and choosing to do some things without technology, like reading a book or going for a walk.