Information Technology and Society

1099 Words3 Pages

Information Technology has the potential to change societal structure and processes similar in scale to that of both the Agricultural Revolution and the Industrial Revolution. On this basis governments should ensure provision of Information Technology to all members of society as a matter of urgency. Discuss. Today, we are experiencing a technological revolution. There is nothing silent or stealthy about it – we are aware of new technology arriving every year. In-your-face advertising and attractive shop displays tempt buyers at every turn, and this year’s new model is next year’s dinosaur. This revolution is global, not local. Many years ago in India, there was a campaign to have a “tap in every village” – such a simple aim. Now every home “needs a computer”. The Information Technology(IT) revolution has brought a lot of good. It has improved the way we communicate, storage and retrieval of information has never been easier, and we have new ways of learning, working, trading and enjoying ourselves. Technology brings benefits and prosperity to its users, but it leaves the under privileged behind, creating a “digital divide”. The digital divide is a term used to describe “the gap between those who have 'ever' and those who have 'never' used a computer or the internet” (Young, 2005). Digital divides can exist between young and old, urban and rural locations and country to country. Information Technology has changed individual lives and it is beginning to change society’s structure. Unless we deliver IT to all members of society, those without access to computers will have less opportunities than those who do. “We are witnessing an explosion of computer applications for peaceful goals -- for economic development, ed... ... middle of paper ... ...om The Internet Society: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3271.txt Clarke, R. (1996). Information Technology & Cyberspace: Their Impact on Rights and Liberties . Retrieved from The Australian National University: http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/II/VicCCL.html Levy, C. M. (2005). Social Impact from Technology. Retrieved from Digital Vision Program at Stanford University: http://fellows.rdvp.org/sift Meadowcroft, B. (n.d.). The Impact of Information Technology on Work and Society. Retrieved from Ben Meadowcroft: http://www.benmeadowcroft.com/reports/impact/ Rooksby, E. (2006). Information Technology and Social Justice. Wladawsky-Berger, I. (1999). Information Technology:Transforming Our Soc. Retrieved from President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC): http://www.nitrd.gov/pitac/meetings/1999/19990217/transformations-17Feb99.pdf

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