Communication is the exchange of information or ideas between two or more individuals. We communicate every day to let people know what we are doing, thinking or even feeling. Communication can be done in many ways other than the conventional speaking right in front of each other. Communication Technology has made it quicker and easier to communicate with people who are far and near. Snapchat, Facebook, and numerous other social media networks have made this possible. As well as being able to communicate with the world through the touch of a phone we are also able to use many other resources such as watching TV shows online, listening to the radio, and even working from home. Technology has rapidly advanced in the past decade, but is this as good a development as we think it is? I believe that there are both advantages and disadvantages to CT. As fast and convenient as it is to be able to contact every one and post everything with the touch of a button, it is just as easy to cause a lot of trouble. Cyberbullying, catfishing, and posting inappropriate videos/pictures of people can have a devastating impact on the lives of those who are involved and their families.
Throughout this essay, I will discuss numerous topics in relation to CT, the use of CT at home and in the workplace, its advantages and disadvantages, the impact it has on both private and public life, the current developments, and the relevant legislation in relation to CT.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of CT
Communication Technology provides both advantages and disadvantages to our society. The advantages of CT are none other than the reason they were invented, to let people around the world communicate freely with each other. With CT we now have the means to share even more things such as photos, and videos, and even organize events with people whom we don’t know. However, with the nature of communication technology being free and open to everyone, some people tend to misuse it for personal gain and interest by affecting other people. The main issue, besides the addiction people have to CT, is that users all over the world are not educated on the dos and don’ts when it comes to using technology such as social media. By posting all kinds of photos on social media it is providing ample information to the public and can cause people to be targeted by culprits.
A recent social media issue that had a distressing impact on the life of one particular individual was the New York street fight which had two limerick hurlers sent home early.
An altercation between one of John Kiely’s players and another man on the New York streets last year was allegedly filmed by a fellow Limerick panelist which was widely circulated on social media. Although a drunken brawl is not acceptable, it was social media that played the biggest role in this situation. This has had a major effect on the life of the player who was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and was posted all over social media. There are now disciplinary proceedings in place and because of the one mistake he made being spread across social media his life has changed dramatically.
The Impact of CT on private and public life
Communication Technology has a profound impact on both private and public life. In private life communication technology serves more disadvantages than advantages. It is easy to stay connected with our friends and family online but it is also very easy for your personal profile to be hacked. Incidents like these are a lot more frequent than they used to be. People are constantly using communication technology and finding loopholes that should never have existed. Our private lives can easily be exploited through the advancement of Communication Technology. ‘County lines’ drug gangs tracking children via social media
In public life, it serves more advantages than disadvantages. We can become friends with people through social media or online gaming sites, it is now possible to find a suitable partner through dating sites. The detriment of this is that people can provide others with false information and exploit the advantages of social media on people’s public life causing misunderstanding, loss of property, or sometimes even lives. Teen death due to catfishing. The new type of online danger
Current developments in CT
Communication Technology benefits us in many ways. It can broadcast information to a wide range of people around the world in a short space of time. Communication nowadays can be accessible from anywhere as long as the device can connect to the internet. Part of the advancement of CT is credited to the invention of the Smartphone.
Social media has become the most popular and most effective aspect of CT, the reason for this is that users around the world can communicate with each other anywhere and anytime. Communication Technology has been improving and developing since the first television was made. There have been many ideas and suggestions of what the future will look like with the continuous development of Communication Technology.
Shortly after social media sites caught on with the average consumer, businesses began realizing that there were major benefits to having online interactions and profiles. In 2007, there were more than 53 million active Facebook users. Facebook quickly expanded to allow brands to create profiles that users could become a “fan” of. The ability of businesses to connect with customers on a new, more intimate level completely changed the way marketing is done today.
When the smartphone revolution gained momentum in the late 2000s, which was largely in part of the Apple iPhone launch, they quickly became substitutions for digital cameras, personal gaming devices, and even PCs and laptops. With this success came a lot of speculation on how the devices would impact businesses. Employees could accomplish more on the go and were not tied down to their desks. The possibilities of what smartphones can do today are limitless. There are apps for messaging, videoconference calls, storing documents, and much more. People are more productive with the flexibility of smartphones. It has dramatically changed the workplace.
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Relevant Legislation
These Acts are made and put in place by governments around the world in order to protect the people of their countries.
• Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act first came into effect on April 21 1998 and was amended on April 11, 2003. This Act gives you the right to access records held by government departments and certain public bodies.
This Act provides:
- A legal right for each person to access information held by public bodies and government departments.
- A legal right for each person to have official information relating to themselves amended where it is incomplete, incorrect, or misleading.
- A legal right to obtain reasons for the decisions made affecting himself/herself.
• Data Protection Act
The Data Protection Act of 1988 and 2003.
This Act states that information about you must be accurate, only made available to those who should have it, and only used for specified purposes.
You have the right to access personal information relating to you and have any errors corrected or, in some cases, have information erased.
www.dataprotection.ie gives information on an individual’s rights and an organization's responsibilities. It also gives you guidance on how the rights and principles apply in different practical situations.
Data protection is about your fundamental right to privacy. You can access and correct information about yourself. Those who keep information about you have to comply with the data protection principles.
• Health & Safety Legislation
The main legislation providing for the health and safety of people in the workplace is the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
It applies to all employers, employees, and self-employed people in their workplaces.
The Act sets out the rights and obligations of both employers and employees and provides for substantial fines and penalties for breaches of the health and safety legislation.
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