I have been blogging for some time now. The reason I started blogging was to reach higher masses than I am able to in real life. I wanted to share facts and inform people about information technology. I am at the IT(information technology) club of my school that is why I chose to blog rather than posting my work on the school newspaper so that I could take students’ attention. By the help of the internet, I am able to get comments and feedback which I can reply or take action to do better the next time. But of course, there are some precautions I take which everyone should as well to stay safe. The Internet isn’t the safest place, therefore you shall make sure that you and everything about you stays safe. That is why I use a strong password that contains capital letters and numbers so that no one can get into my account without my permission. I also keep my personal information out of my blog which might cause safety problems if I don’t. I also never use information that is not true, to do that I always use secure sites, check the HTML address and make sure there is a lock sign on my sources. I am always trying to be respectful to anyone and never threaten anybody in any way. And most importantly I don’t steal content. I don’t plagiarize and always give credit if I use any kind of support I make sure to give give credit to the original producer.
HOW TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS US
After publishing my article about effects of computer games there were comments about a request that I write about IT in general.That’s why I decided to write about effects of IT (information technology).
In today’s world, IT is a must have in our lives. However, even most of constant IT users don’t really know its consequences. IT opens tons of doors in our lives. Helps us in many areas such as communication, information, sharing etc.
Let’s just take a minute to appreciate the possibilities that opened to us with the help of IT. sharing evolved, we can reach to different places of the world in split second, future technology is closer than ever, plus its free! with the IT, many things are achieved and one of them is a new step in education. Most of the schools use projectors or smart-boards, a student can reach information by just touching a screen or just opening a computer, it under their hands. If not they can even take education from IT! Distance education can be taken easily.
The industry took its share of this visual space as well. now people can shop from their homes without even getting out of their comfort zone all they have to do is open a technological device such as smartphones or tablets to do online shopping. It sounds like a dream doesn’t it? it actually isn’t the most recommended thing to do. Why do you ask? In case of a hack or fake shopping sites, IT criminals/hackers can access your personal information, steal it and use it for illegal purposes or they can get their hands on your card information and steal money from it. In a different scenario, they can get into your social media accounts and phone to access more information about you and your surroundings reach out to your friend and family and get into their accounts to steal more money or worse in some ways.
Art and science also got its hand on the technology. Mathematical equations and scientific experiments can be calculated in seconds. Technology sent men into space, discovered new thing and more…
Artistry is one of the hardest jobs, artists have to deal with the fact that not everybody is willing to spend their money on a painting, sculpture nor on a music(?), etc. That’s why if you are not a big artist that doesn’t make art the society wants you to do you are not going to be able to sell art or make art in some point because art supplies are rather expensive. This changed after IT came into the frame. Now artists can upload their art to IT, there are many people that can appreciate the hard work given to the product. maybe not buy it but at least support the artist behind it. But at this point, a new issue occurs; plagiarism. Plagiarism is when a person takes a product made by somebody else, delete the signature or whatever that shows its belonging to someone else and present it like it’s yours without given a credit. Not only in art but in information or basically in anything this scenario is familiar to happen. This is actually a crime and shouldn’t be tolerated. At some point, the artist can send a copyright for a stolen content, which gets demonetized most of the time. That is why manufacturers take ownership of the product, so if someone wants to use it they shall pay the producers money in exchange.
How many hours do you spend time on IT? Did you know that half of the new generation is spending half of their lives on IT? Isn’t that a lot? yet they claim that they know everything about technology while they don’t even know how to protect themselves. IT was never a safe place to start off with. People kept finding ways to get the most of it, not in a good way. That is why people made companies to inform everyone about the threats and abuse of the internet such as IT (information technology).
Spam, cyber-bullying, denial of service attack (dos attack) and phishing are only some threats you can face;
Cyber-bullying is basically hurting someone psychologically by word, action or some other way through IT.
Dos attack is more of an illegal action made through IT.
Spams are emails of advertisement or virus. Advertisements are annoying than dangerous. Pops up every once in a while in your inbox or screen. Viruses are anonym or fake posts that when you open it, the virus gets into your computer. It can be a long-lost brother and still if you are dodging it, it is still called spams. They are basically a bunch of trash emails or advertisements.
Are you getting an email from a bank usually asking for your bank information? If so you might want to think twice before you open that email. Phishing is a method that is used by IT criminals to get your bank information then taking your money from your account.
IMPACTS OF DIGITAL GAMES
As a blogger, my life basically consists of the internet. Since I observe my surrounding (so that I can write about it), I couldn’t help but notice that our lives changed so much in so little time, thanks to the technology we are able to do incredible and mind-blowing things.And each day it develops/improves, new inventions are made such as VR (Virtual Reality) devices and digital (computer) games. And that is what we are going to be talking about.
Computer games have been the centre of attention since it came out, but little did you know this fun visual space can cause serious issues in many areas.
Computer games have been around for some time now. It developed and changed over time. It became so big that people made companies, they started educating computer software and computer (game) programming. People started playing more and more the more they made it addictive and fun.
Impacts on Individual:
Computer games affect people differently, especially children. Physical and psychological health issues may occur if the individual is addicted or plays on a usual basis(more than 2 hours a day). spending free times in front of the computer playing games, loss of appetite, lack of sleep is seen on addictive use. If a child spends its time watching tv or using the computer instead of doing outdoor activities may suffer from obesity. The University of Texas at Dallas notes that medical issues such as headaches, backaches, eyestrain and carpal tunnel syndrome–pain and numbness that your child may feel in his wrists, hands, shoulders and elbows can also be seen.
Not only these but people who spend a lot of time in front of computer/television/smartphone is seen to be less sociable. Also suffering from lack of relations with other people who have big roles in our lives such as family and friends. spending time playing digital games rather than having a nice time with loved ones can influence a person’s life.
The violence in some games can lead to aggression on the individual to others. however, this does not mean that violence in a just a visual place rather than real life can also help the person empty its anger and hate (more detail below).
If the individual attends to school that can be a big issue as well. Delay in schoolwork and procrastination is seen in computer game players.
However, this does not mean that computer games is a very bad thing for everyone and should be banned because it has its positive side as well as negative. First of all motor coordination develops, they play the game with their hands on the controller while looking at the screen, it improves so much that they can do this without even a glance to the controller. Reflex development, critical thinking and stress relief are just some of the advantages of digital games. We also shouldn’t forget about the increase of imagination.
Impacts on Society:
As mentioned violence in digital games are a problem and believe it or not people separated into two groups to discuss on this topic. While some people support the idea that it influences people especially children who are the main audience in a bad way which they grow up to be or become a criminal. Other groups including some scientists insist that there is no real proof that children are damaged psychologically or physically, they actually think that it calms people when they kill or hurt virtual characters in digital games. It helps them empty their minds, hate and anger, plus relief stress which is worth mentioning.
In a world which violence is considered “usual”, I think this topic should be sorted out before it’s too late. Kids are the future, and it’s our responsibility to make sure they turn out good for the future generations. So think twice before giving your kid digital devices knowing that they will be playing violent games.
All this aside, digital games are actually very good alternatives to boost a child’s imagination, motivation and inspiration to do more. Considering that the future will consist of technology a little help won’t hurt, will it?
REFERENCE:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/278074-negative-effects-of-video-game-addiction/
https://www.livestrong.com/article/52757-pros-cons-exposing-children/
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/media/video-gaming-and-its-impact-on-society-media-essay.php
CENTER OF IT 