WE are in the middle of an information revolution in which information travels faster through numerous digital technologies.
IMMACULATE NCUBE
These technologies have been widely used as a powerful tool in both sustaining and shaping of job markets and distribution of income, information and culture.
However, new information technology has brought about a plethora of moral challenges.
Some have concluded it is the same powerful tool that is causing ethical and moral decay of society and of the world at large. Though it is a good marketing tool for the communication industry, it can also be a poisoning weapon to societies.
Long back sensitive information would circulate within a small space and would end as mere gossip, but with digital technology a wide societal space of gossip has been created making it almost impossible to control the predominant spread of this electronically shared data hence the rise of misusage of our personal information as well as the rise of cyber crimes.
As our society becomes increasingly dependent on technology, we have neglected to educate and communicate how to utilise these technologies responsibly. We need to find ways of curing rapidly evolving digital diseases like “sexting”, cyber bullying or “sextcasting”.
Looking closely at the high usage of digital gadgets like computers, cellphones, Ipads, new and more dangerous digital diseases threaten to evolve and continue damaging our social fabric. Imagine your 13-year-old glued to the Internet for hours.
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In your mind, he is surfing the Internet, but this digital generation will always be attracted to the wrong information like pornography. I am sure the increase in teenage pregnancy and rape is not a mere coincidence.
I have learnt the many ways in which digital technologies are affecting how people work, live and play.
It also raises the question of how digital technologies shape what we perceive as being social challenges and imperatives. The specific concern here is the social dysfuntionality due to digital technology.
Let’s analyse this current rampant usage of earphones even during church sermons.
How on earth do you even hear what the person next to you is saying?
There is a dire need of the macro policies to micro relationships through the society’s ability to conceive, practice and communicate.
This very simple, uniform and established concept will assist us in proactively avoiding a digital Armageddon which is slowly creating individualism, therefore, tearing apart the once erected social norms.
I often hear people complain about WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype, Twitter and other social media platforms. These have been widely blamed for the collapse of marriages and relationships.
Actually pictures that are posted on these digital dossiers are normally not a true representation of reality. In my culture we say “catch them with what they eat most”.
Due to the rapid advancement of digital communication, our global community has become more intimate and, therefore, our digital actions more pronounced.
Ironically, this same technology bridging the communication gap between individuals and generations has proven that like the heavy rains, it can instantly take from us, just as easily as it can reward. Surviving in our rapidly evolving digital world requires a proactive digital mindset and the development of a new, universal social norm of digital responsibility.
It is, therefore, vital that our global leaders and society understand what is key here. Since digital technology is proving to be merciless, as a society, we need to exercise wise digital judgment.
Strong social influence, digital responsibility, safety and awareness policies should be identified and implemented so that we avoid the decay.
Generations to come will acquire knowledge required to responsibly utilise current and future technologies and proactively prevent new digital disease.
IMMACULATE NCUBE
