Does living in a digital society cause more harm than good ?
Introduction
Being a part of a digital society comes with many benefits, such as the ability to communicate digitally using social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and through video call services like Zoom and Skype. Also, being part of a digitalised world has significantly changed online shopping patterns since we no longer need to leave our room, as all our shopping needs can be conducted online and be delivered even the next day. However, this lifestyle comes with great costs such as online abuse and fraudulent activity that arises when shopping online.
Communication
Due to modern technology the way people connect with each other has changed dramatically, social media platforms are now the number one way people engage with each other and voice their opinions about current issues. Social media platforms like Facebook have over 2.8 billion monthly users which is more than a third of the world’s population. The inclusive nature of these platforms means that anyone can join regardless of their socio-economic background as most social media platforms are free of charge.
Engagement through social media is very efficient and comes with many benefits. One major benefit is the ability to conduct group discussions without having to be located within proximity of each other. Using platforms such as Facebook group chats allow individuals to join groups and find people that have similar interests to them from around the world and engage with them digitally, therefore making it easier for many to make friends. Also, the increase in the use of digital social media platforms has changed how people engage with each other in the workplace. Many companies are now conducting their team meeting online using platforms such as Zoom which has over 200 million daily users , as it is a very efficient way of getting everyone together for a group discussion when people are located in different locations. This has especially been popularised as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as most offices were forced to shut due to restrictions leaving many companies with no other alternative.
Online Abuse
However, communicating digitally is not without flaws. The nature of social media platforms makes it a hotspot for online abuse and the sharing of inappropriate content. As conversations are conducted online the ability to make abusive comments is much easier and often have no real life ramifications. Online abuse on major platforms such as Facebook and twitter is worse than it has ever been as many people take advantage of the digital nature to voice hurtful comments. This has become a huge topic of concern as it has resulted in many to suffer from depression. Large organisations have now come together with an aim to put an end to online abuse with the Premiere Football League being at the forefront of this movement.
Another topic that has arisen in recent years is cancel culture on platforms such as twitter. People are quick to expose others if they have different views to them or of they are accused of doing something wrong even before it has been proven. This has lead to a toxic culture which resulted in many leaving social media platforms.
Online Purchasing
Modern technology has allowed online shopping to be conducted with ease. The large online shopping platform amazon operates as a large online department store which stock everything you can think of, and with their one day delivery promise prime members will receive their purchases the next day. Amazon has dominated the market and is the world’s leading online marketplace. Also, due to the demise of the high street many people now choose to do their clothes shopping online. Companies such as ASOS stock all the major brands and have even acquired the fashion giants Topshop and sell their products exclusively online. One major issue that arises with purchasing clothes online is the inability to try them on, however, major online retailers offer virtual size finders which accurately predict your size. Additionally, start-ups are currently working on software’s that will even allow you to try on the clothes virtually which would further reduce the need to shop instore.
Living in a digital society also enables people to engage with each other through selling and purchasing of second hand goods. Websites such as Depop and Ebay allow individuals to list items they no longer need and find a buyer for them. The increase in demand for vintage and second hand clothing has increased dramatically due to market trends and this had changed the dynamic of online shopping as people can find what they want at a much lower price second hand.
Online Fraud and Data Security
The are many issues that arise due to the prominence of online shopping. For instance, there are many security threats such as scam websites pretending to be legitimate which will steal private information and use it maliciously. Additionally, the increase in the trend of buying second hand clothing runs a higher risk for scams than traditional online shops since it can be hard to judge whether the seller is a genuine. Therefore, Individuals may unfortunately experience PayPal scams by conducting transactions via PayPal friends and family which are not covered by buyer’s protection. Individuals may also accidentally purchase unauthentic goods as scammers may list fake items as authentic.
Another issue that arises due to conducting online purchases is data security since many companies store private information used for advertising purposes. Companies may share data with other companies and with large data providers thus it is impossible to know where your data will go and how it will be used. There also runs the risk your data will be compromised due to a hack and your private information would be in the hands of fraudsters.
However, the exposure to these scams can be minimised through being extra vigilant when purchasing online and checking for the padlock on the top right hand side of the google browser page to ensure the website is encrypted. Also, it is important to vet the seller you are buying from when purchasing on online marketplaces and ensure the transaction is via PayPal goods and services which is covered by buyer protection.
Conclusion
Overall, we have seen how online communication via social media has dramatically changed how we communicate digitally, and how technology has changed the way we conduct online purchasing. We have also looked into how social media platforms can be a hotspot for online abuse and how online purchasing is subject to data handling risks and potential fraud , however there are ways to significantly reduce this risk.
Reflection
My interest to take the module digital society stemmed from my enthusiasm for technology. As an avid reader of technology blogs such as Cnet an Engadget I have always been interested to learn how the world of technology is progressing . I wished to learn how the advancement in digital technology has negatively or positively impacted the way we live and how this can be translated to real life experience.
I found Learning about how we engage with society and with each other through the internet, and how it developed throughout the years very interesting. Also, learning about the dangers of being on the internet ,especially regarding how your data is never safe will make me consider how my data is used whenever I purchase online or give out personal information. Also, as I am very passionate about real estate development and Investing I found the smart cities topic very interesting and I am excited to learn how this will be Implemented across cities throughout the UK.
This module improved my ability to think and write critically by looking at the negative and positive implications of the transition to a digital society, since it is important to consider both perspectives. This skill would help me with future research since critical writing is crucial to fully develop a strong argument.
Additionally, as this module is conducted differently to other units it assisted me to further develop various skills. For example, learning solely online through medium without having typical lectures and tutorials improved my ability to learn independently and make use of my time management skills. This would definitely assist me in the future as strong time management skills are crucial during a professional environment. Also the research that is conducted during this unit is different to other modules which I found hard to adjust to. During the first assignment I had to analyse an individuals online presence which requires a different style of research which was new to me.
Moreover, the method of writing using a blog post format is different to standard formal academic essays and trying to adapt to a less formal tone was difficult at the beginning. This module improved my ability to adapt to new writing styles and formats. One area that I was not familiar with prior taking this module was how to properly cite images. This is since I did not fully understand the concept of image rights and what images are ok to use academically. This course provided information on what images I can use and how to correctly cite them.
Overall, I feel this course provided me insight on how the world has changed to a more digital world and the dangers that come with it. This course has also provided me with transferable skills due to its online nature and allowed me to think critically and adapt to new writing styles which will be beneficial when conducting future research.
