How Does Technology Impact People in Our Daily Lives? - Research Paper

Introduction

Technology has become part of people's lives today. At any point in time, an individual is surrounded by technology which includes the mobile phone, CCTV cameras, computers, WiFi routers and others tech appliances that are important to what people do today. Technology has transformed each facet of people's lives. The smartphone revolution changed how things used to be done in the past. A decade ago people used cell phones to call or text. Today smartphones can serve various roles such as taking high-resolution pictures, browsing the internet, watching high pixel videos, playing graphic intensive videos and other activities. It is estimated that about 270 million Americans own smartphones and a large percentage of these devices are connected to the internet. Smartphones can accomplish demanding tasks as well as basic communication needs. These devices have simplified people's lives since the device allows people to communicate more frequently and easily with their loved ones through instant messaging and video calls. Some tasks that required the use of computers are now done using smartphones. People can create slides and documents and read emails using smartphones. Smartphones and apps have transformed how people work, play and communicate. The emergence of e-commerce and internet-based companies has also led to the increased proliferation of smartphones.

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The use of technology and especially smartphones has led to people to live a less-active lifestyle. Smartphones have made the lives of people so easy that they have become lazy. Everything can be accessed using the smartphones. Young people spend countless hours glued to the television, computers and even smartphones doing various kinds of activities. In the past young people kept themselves busy by playing with their friends by playing various kinds of games like football. However, today fewer people engage themselves in such activities due to cell phone addiction. Technology has caused parents to worry about their children's welfare. Many children and teenagers use the internet to access various platforms. This situation has led to addiction causing teenagers to spend the most time on these sites. When phones are withdrawn from teenagers, it leads to boredom. Most social media companies are using artificial intelligence to make these sites attractive therefore increasing addiction. Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, Twitter are some platforms used to communicate. Regardless of where a person is located, it is possible to send a message, and it is received at the same rate and speed. A voice message can also be sending and receiving in nanoseconds (Bray 1).

Technology has changed the lifestyle of people today people engage in online shopping which results in over-consumption of products that could not have occurred without technology. People also portray a life of satisfaction and success on social media than it is in reality. Further, people are more outspoken on social media with no emotion involved. Many teenagers post their photos to be approved by others. When they fail to get the Likes they desire, it causes feelings of shame and low self-esteem.

Additionally, robotics and artificial intelligence technologies have changed how companies carry out their production and packaging. Even though there are no machines that are like human beings, artificial intelligence has become a reality. Today drones use artificial intelligence to perform different roles such as surveillance, tracking as well as invasive measures. Additionally, automated assembly lines in industrial are capable of handling manufacturing, as well as packaging on their own. There are also machines that can work with minimal human supervision. Driverless is an innovation that is being carried out by Google, Tesla and BMW and it will employ artificial intelligence and robotics to function effectively. Driverless cars will change how people operate since there will no need of drivers. However, this technology will have negative effects on employment since companies will see no need for employing people. It will, therefore, increase layoffs and unemployment rates.

Technology has also allowed people to conserve the environment. Fossil fuels are which are still widely used as a source of energy is harmful to the planet. However, innovations have led to the discovery of solar panels that convert the light from the sun in a manner that it can be used for different purposes. Advancement in the field of solar power technology has helped reduce the cost of solar cells which makes them affordable for most people. Further, the generation of electricity through wind turbines has also increased. Therefore, in future countries will be able to abandon the use of fossil fuels and adopt green and clean energy solutions. Further, those people who do not have access to electricity can now use solar power systems to light their homes and satisfy their energy needs (Ramey 2).

Education is another area that is highly impacted by technology. A large number of people in the world do not have access to education. However, through the internet people can acquire the knowledge that they desire without the need of a teacher. People can find prerecorded lectures and materials on the internet which they can use to sharpen their skills. Online learning is also possible these days where universities are adopting these technologies to allow learners who may be committed elsewhere to study from home or others areas and still gain the necessary skills that they require. Search engines like google have students to do their research easily since it contains extensive information that is helpful to learners. Education for all can be achieved through the internet. Students can learn any course and acquire a degree at the desired university from any part of the world. Reading has also been simplified since students can use eBooks and PDF documents to study. Students are flexible in their learning as they can choose the institution and time that is appropriate for them to learn. Tutors also use the internet to reach students by using platforms such as Coursera and Edx.

In regards to health, technology has brought massive transformations. Patients can now consult a doctor with a video call to get the medical treatment for their illnesses. Technological developments have resulted in improved healthcare since many lives have been saved through life support machines and others. Today, many illnesses can be detected when one is screened using machines making it possible for medical doctors to easily diagnose illnesses and to begin treatment. Further, through research and the use of technology, many vaccines have been discovered that have the capability of preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

Further, surgeries in hospitals are done using technology which increases efficiency and prevents the development of post-surgery complications. Hospitals are today able to serve many patients due to the use of technology which increases the speed and efficiency of how physicians and nurses do their job. Electronic health records have allowed health care professionals to manage patient data more efficiently and to keep it confidential and private. It has also reduced errors during treatment as it can automatically alert a physician about the existence of an allergy if a patient has it to prevent other problems. A central and standardized system throughout an organization can help detect a viral or bacterial infection thereby causing the stakeholders to act quickly. Healthcare professionals also use big data to collect massive amounts of healthcare information which are analyzed and used to improve healthcare. Cloud computing is another technology that is used to deliver services through the internet. Healthcare professionals, as well as patients, can access specific files and data that on the internet. Technology has also transformed how healthcare records are handled since paper-based files are longer in use. Today mobile health apps are also used to provide reasonable information and support to patients.

Technology has digitized our professional lives. It is estimated that about 79 percent of employees now work on virtual teams. This trend is achieved through video conferencing, messaging, online collaboration, email or other methods. A study that was done in 2013 by Pew research indicated that 94% of employed persons are internet users. This includes people who work part-time, full-time or even freelance workers. Small and large companies use technology, and it does not matter whether they are located in rural or urban areas. In the past, employees spent countless hours writing letters, sending faxes and on the phone communicating with stakeholders. Today, emails are used as basic communication platforms making communication easier, faster and better. According to a study that was done by the British newspaper, was that technology led to 84 percent increase in productivity per hour of office workers since the 1970s. The technologies that were linked to this trend were the use of email, cell phones, and even business software. Technology affects not only professional life but also personal life. Private life is even more tech-enabled than professional life. In the 1980s and 1990s, televisions were the main technology that existed in homes as well as large personal computers. Data from the census bureau indicates that 15 percent of homes had a computer by 1989 while the number increased to 75 percent by 2011. Today people have various gadgets in their personal lives such as laptops, tablets, Apple watches, desktop computers; GPS enabled cars and others that are used on a daily basis. Technology helps people today to socialize, date, eat, learn and socialize ("Technology In Our Life Today And How It Has Changed 1)

Technology has changed how people pay bills and transfer money. People can use their mobile phones to transfer or withdraw money, and it is no longer necessary to go to the back to engage in such activities. People can today live without the need to go to the bank as the internet has allowed online services to be possible. Many banks today receive online applications and are also accessible when people need them. PayPal is a company that has enabled people to send and receives money from any part of the world. Technology has also simplified the way people pay bills since it is possible to go shopping without the need to carry cash as people can make payments using banking apps (Ahmed 1).

Technology has also changed how people watch the television. Today people can watch it the way they want it, when they want it and how they want it. It is possible to pause a live TV and rewind a program that was missed and control it depending on what one desires. The mobile phone has allowed people to watch various programs and movies online. YouTube is also a great platform that allows people to watch movies and any TV show they missed. Today TVs has a WiFi connection as they can be used to access the internet, to read eBooks and be used as projector screens (Kubey and Mihalyi 7).

According to Bray (21) is that technology has transformed the society. Each invention affected communication and how communities expand or end. Technology caused people to become socially motivated. Technology has improved civilization, agriculture, the homes people live in and other areas. It can also be attributed the increased life expectancy. According to Cherry and Steven (5) is that the use of smartphones can affect the brain. Smartphones have the ability of increasing laziness and affecting the social-emotional skills of a person. When young children are given smartphones and iPad, they can have problems developing their mental capacities. This is according to research that was done by the Boston Univ...