Technological Development

Due to advancements in technology there are many devices designed specifically to catch criminals and help reduce the incidence of social trauma.

Examples:

Home video surveillance / alarm systems / trackers on cars and phones / extra security codes on credit cards etc..

However, there are many counter-devices that are used to decode, hack into & manipulate information and inactivate alarms. Counter devices are working against the very information we are trying to preserve. Instances of identity theft and manipulation of files and documents are increasing.

Examples:

Identity theft - someone using your personal or business identity information and accessed your online accounts. 

Internet fraud - Clicking on a phishing link or giving someone remote access to a computer or device, and money may have been taken from your account(s) 

Threats to information can come from a range of sources:

• Individuals

• Issue-motivated groups

• Organised criminal syndicates

• Viruses

• Hacking

Information security can be enhanced through ongoing training, assessment, protection, monitoring, incident response & repair. However, technology will always change quicker than people's behavior - this leaves room for criminals to prey on vulnerable people in the community.

Technological security, be it on a home computer, a Facebook account or an ATM, must begin with the owner of the system/device.

Accuracy, or ‘data integrity’ is a fundamental component of information security. This is achieved through data back up, data validation, access controls & input validation.

Accuracy of information is heightened if reliable data sources are utilised and a high level of data entry training is given. 

Is this always going to be the case? Why/Why not?

Unfortunately, there are many instances that may compromise the accuracy of data. Social media and Youtube are the main sources where misinformation can spread.

This is becoming a huge problem in the workplace, business & home environment.

First coined in 1970 by a writer who predicted that the rapidly increasing amounts of information would cause problems. This is reflected today in the huge amount of emails, spam, reports, messages, links, videos, etc. that come across our screens each day.

• In 2020 306.4 billion emails were sent and recieved each day (statista)

• 5 Billion videos on youtube are watched each day (fortune lords)

• 210 Million snaps were created each day in 2020 (oberlo)

Widespread access to the internet & info that is duplicated, erroneous, inconsistent or poorly written, adds to the problem.

Copyright provides legal protection for people who express ideas and information in certain forms – writing, visual images, music & moving images. However, technology makes it easy for people to duplicate or plagiarise data without acknowledging the original copyright owner.

Users can easily ‘copy and paste’ information into their own electronic documents. Plagiarism checkers are online tools that allow users to check for copyrighted text – E.g// Turn It In

The Government can never collect too much information from its citizens.

Social Media outlets have no responsibility in regulating fake news and misinformation.

Development of new tech has a huge impact on the community socially & politically. Technology is often developed before the government is able to establish legislation, e.g. in areas such as stem cell research. It is the responsibility of scientists, researchers & corporations to control the impact of emerging technology.

Emerging Technology:

Technologies that are currently being developed, or are expected to be available within the next five to ten years and are expected to create, significant social or economic effects. (Winston and Strawn, 2023)

• Tech developments may give rise to ethical issues, which need to be assessed individually.

  • • • E.g// technology is available to determine the genetic characteristics of children 

Should parents be allowed to select the sex, physical features and intellect of their children?

• The Prohibition of Human Cloning Act 2002 – prevents human cloning & a range of other things deemed ‘unacceptable’ by the Australian government, including the creation of human embryos for purposes other than pregnancy in a woman & prohibits commercial trading of embryos.

There has always been a technology gap within the community. In 2020, digital inclusion is 7.6 points higher in capital cities (65.0) than in rural areas (57.4) (ADII,2020). 

• The Australian Government Education Revolution Policy involved spending one million dollars per high school to give every student in year 9-12 access to their own laptop/school computer.

• The tech age has created a bigger divide/inequities between those who ‘have’ & those who ‘have not’.

  • • • E.g// Access to medical technology & welfare information

• An individual’s ability to access information is determined by their financial resources and location - See factors that effect access to technology.

• Research has provided many new treatments & technologies that enhance our health & safety - See technology and the community

  • • • E.g// Research into cancer treatments is an area of great technological development & advancement that serves to address aspects of the health and safety of individuals.

• New tech surrounding health & safety is usually only available in larger cities & to those who can afford them. This provides yet another equity issue for society.

• Substantial amounts of money are often put into the development of technologies.

  • • • Spending on technology products and services in Australia will grow 5.7 per cent to $100b in 2020. (IDG)

• Prototype development, testing & evaluation are each critical stages that must be undertaken before the final release which ads to the expense of technological development.

• Technological development can result in substantial unemployment as machines & software begin to exceed the capability of workers. This will have a detrimental impact on the economic impact on individuals.

• There are many advancements in technology that help to improve our carbon footprint and environemntal responsibility.

  • • • Renewable energy sources, forecasting/tracking weather patterns & new ways of recycling materials.

• Technology can help to solve some environmental problems within society:

  • • • Desalination plants – help solve the problem of reduced availability of fresh water.

      • Hydroponics – assist in providing food sources to those who live in marginal land areas.

• However, by-products of industry, wastes & the needs for fossil fuels to drive machinery are each costs to the environment & the economy.

There have been many advancements that have significantly improved education and learning:

• Software, hardware, internet apps, smart boards, projectors, etc. have assisted students by enhancing the learning environment.

• Wireless systems & tablets have provided self-directed learning platforms where the teacher becomes the facilitator (e.g. Canvas).

• The speed of internet access serves to provide instantaneous information & clarification & allows individuals to gain greater understanding of research topics.