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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The Negative Effects of Technology on the Modern Society
Qurratul ‘Ain Binte Jamil Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
This study explores the negative effects of technology on society and its role in contributing to the precarious nature of the modern world. This research paper dwells on the issues associated with technology and on what will become of society if we do not tackle the challenges that technology has presented. The study was undertaken through the critical reading of scholarly articles and relevant published materials related to the issue. It discusses the various problems surrounding the subject of technology. Such issues include the freedom of speech, the cancel culture as well as the invasion of privacy. By the end of this paper, the study concludes that technology has negatively impacted our society in unprecedented ways.
Keywords: technology; precarious; freedom; culture; unprecedented
INTRODUCTION
With the advancement of technology today, there is no need for people to drown in books for information or rely on handwritten letters and notes for communication. It has allowed society to progress and adapt easily to the changing times. Unfortunately, the technological advancements that were made possible by the hard work of scholars centuries ago that are being enjoyed today are being misused and abused. Society has become more self-centred and egoistic because of how they use and communicate on the internet. This study aims to uncover how the advent of technology has opened new doors to problems that are troubling the society.
Nevertheless, this study is only confined to the information derived from reading materials acquired online and thus presents a limited significant glimpse of the issue which could be explored further in future studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials acquired for this study, are those from written materials researched online.
Relevant materials are then selected to fit in to the discussion on the issue. Ideas are paraphrased as much as possible to suit understanding and simple enough for readers to follow. The collation ideas subsequently form the basis of the research discussion.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Freedom of Speech
Social media platforms are like a blank canvas. A space where anyone can share and express their opinions freely without having to worry about government interventions.
Certainly, there is a silver lining to everything. As much as one is free to voice his
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views on the internet there is a limit in what one can share. Unfortunately many loyal consumers of technology staunchly believe that they are entitled to saying and doing whatever they wish. They paint this blank canvas with whatever their heart desires.
Freedom of expression becomes a serious issue when what people say or do may be socially, physically, financially or psychologically harmful to others.
A poll conducted online to get participants to voice up their opinion on a controversial issue has gained more responses which would likely be impossible to have if it is conducted in person. This was reported by The Straits Times (Yufeng 2021, May 29) was to rank the respected female Islamic religious teachers on a sexuality issue.
Cancel Culture
A behavioural issue that has arisen with the existence of technological advancement is what we call 'Cancel Culture'. The term "you're cancelled" is commonly used against celebrities or famous people to put an end to their career by means of boycotting or via disciplinary actions by an employer. According to an article entitled "What is the cost of "cancel culture? “written by Zoe Thomas (Oct 8, 2020), cancellers justify their actions by saying that using social media to call attention to actions they do not agree with, is the only way to create consequences for those who have more power in society.
Invasion of Privacy
The next thing in question is the security of our private information people put up online. “Privacy Settings” that social media sites impose are truly an oxymoron. In the era of screenshots, shares and how it takes one click to capture one's personal sensitive information, raw emotions and true feelings that he posts on his social media platforms, nothing is truly private on the internet. James E.Gaskin stated that the stone cold truth of privacy in the internet age is that whatever one does on the web can be made public because everyone is just a tweet, forward, share away from having their online secrets exposed (2013).
Negative effects on the society
Individuals believe that their well-being matters much more than that of others. Social media works in a way where it is about how fancy and perfect people's lives are. People are so obsessed with creating this ideal and perfect image of themselves on the internet that they have unconsciously turned into narcissists. An article written by Zara DeGroot mentions, people's obsession with technology is affecting their empathy and spoiling the goodness they have to offer to others (DeGroot 2015, September 24).
CONCLUSION
Through the critical readings of research materials done it can be concluded that the misuse of technology has made society to become uncompassionate and self-centred.
Online practices like the cancel culture that was formally started to serve social injustice has spun out of control to become a tool used to combat the mistakes committed by individuals. Future research on this issue could be embarked to appreciate how well this issue could be brought under control, if not eradicated.
REFERENCES
BizTech. James E.Gaskin, DeGroot, Z. (2015, September 24). Our misuse of technology is making us selfish. The Rocky Mountain Collegian. Retrieved September 24, 2015
Masilela, N., Burkett,Robinson ed. Freedom of Speech on the Internet
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Thomas, Z. (2020, October 8). What is the cost of 'cancel culture'? BBC News
Yufeng, Kok. “Ranking of Female Religious Teachers: Those behind Poll Won't Be Allowed to Teach in S'pore.” The Straits Times, 29 May 2021
