The digital age has no doubt brought great advancements to humanity, but its negative implications must not be overlooked. While some of these implications can be avoided since they result from intentional actions by technology users, others are a reality that now exists; they are likely irreversible.
THE DIGITAL AND THE PHYSICAL WORLD
With advancements in technology, we can now refer to a whole digital world, a world that sometimes tends to distinguish itself from reality. That notwithstanding, it is part of our reality and it must be treated as one. Just like it is in our everyday lives, crimes can also be committed in the digital media world. Sometimes, the digital world is even used as a tool to accomplish physical crimes. Beyond being part of reality, the digital world is no doubt entangled with the physical world; it works hand-in-hand with the physical world to form the reality that we know.
CRIMES IN THE DIGITAL WORLD
Most things that are possible in the physical world are also possible in the digital world, and crime is certainly not an exception. Thus, just like there are physical criminals, there are also digital or cyber criminals. Given how much space and opportunity the digital world has offered, many utilise it for either good or evil purposes. And the effects of these actions by users are no doubt impactful on humanity as a whole.
Just like it is in the physical world, it is absolutely possible to intimidate, threaten, or even harm fellow users in the digital or cyber world. Given the possibility of a cyber-skilled person accessing sensitive information, there is a possibility of cybercriminals bullying and threatening fellow users. Since this is possible, there is also a risk of stealing fellow users' funds and virtual properties. To me, this is quite a scary reality, and it is a major concern in the cyber world.
THE HARMFUL REALITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Beyond the fact that users tend to misuse the digital world, intentionally causing harm to other users, there are some harmful effects of technology that are beyond our control. These effects result from the very existence of technology and continue to grow as technology advances. As technology advances, labor is being replaced at different levels; this is no doubt a continuous displacement of means through which people make living. With the coming of artificial intelligence, this is most likely just the beginning to that effect.
The coming of artificial intelligence also raises another crucial concern in this context: AI biases. Given that artificial intelligence only works with provided data and information, it is certainly possible for it to perpetuate biased information. Since artificial intelligence is not a moral agent, it can be used to perpetuate discrimination, racism, and prejudice, as it is not accountable for its actions. Unlike the issue of labor, this problem can be tackled to a reasonable extent; however, this is undoubtedly a harmful reality of technology.
CONCLUSION
The fact that technology has brought so many beneficial effects to humanity is indubitable. Nevertheless, we must also acknowledge its harmful effects. Beyond acknowledging these harmful effects, we must ensure that we use technology responsibly and also that our online activities do not harm others. While there are harmful realities that we probably cannot change in the digital world, we must ensure that we are law-abiding and moral in our activities in the digital world.
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