The Risks and Challenges of Being Reliant on Technology: Part 2

about 1 year ago

Welcome to the second part of the series. We will explore some of the most significant risks and challenges associated with our reliance on technology. The first part explored the 'benefits' of being reliant on technology.

We've all heard of tech being a double-edged sword. I sometimes like to see the negative aspects of it as a crutch we hold on to (especially from the context of this post).

While technology has brought many benefits to our lives and made it so much easier, it has also introduced a number of challenges and risks. It's time to look at the other side of the coin and explore some of them.

911 Cybersecurity Call

There is a reason why the cybersecurity industry is worth trillions. As we continue to rely heavily on technology for everything from communication to commerce, we will become increasingly more vulnerable to cyber attacks. Apart from the Notpetya attack that brought a whole country to a standstill, we are yet to see the full extent of cyberattacks.

Hackers use sophisticated technology to access sensitive information, such as financial data and personal information. This can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, and other serious consequences.

If you've ever been a victim of a cyberattack, then you must have experienced that uneasy feeling of seeing all your work going down the drain. Especially if you didn't have any backup in place.

There are a number of ways to minimize the risks of cybersecurity. Some of them include using very strong passwords, keeping all softwares and operating systems up-to-date, and being aware of common cyber threats such as phishing scams.

There Are Many Kinds Of Addiction

I don't know why people say there are good addictions. To me, every addiction is bad because it implies a lack of self control. The addiction with technology is that we have developed an unhealthy dependence on it.

For example, many people ~~may become~~ are addicted to social media, gaming, or other forms of digital entertainment. The effects are that it leads to gradual social isolation, decreased physical activity, and other negative consequences that we will only discover in the future.

To minimize the risks of technology addiction, it's important to set boundaries and limit the amount of time we spend using technology. This 24/7 is really not for us.

Is It Good To Be 'Anti-Social'?

Technology can also lead to social isolation. As we rely more on technology for communication, it's possible for people (especially introverts) to neglect in-person relationships. This can lead to decreased face-to-face interaction and can have a negative impact on our mental and emotional well-being.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there is a misconception between our online community and offline community. The secondary has become the primary and the primary has become the secondary.

To minimize the risks of social isolation, it's important that we balance technology with in-person interaction and to make a conscious effort to connect with others on a regular basis IRL.

Digital Nakedness Is A Thing

Another risk of technology is the loss of privacy. Most of us have shared a lot of personal information online. Some do it unconsciously or subconsciously and a few do it consciously.

As we continue to share more and more personal information online, it becomes easier for those who are watching i.e companies, governments, other organizations and our fellow individuals to access this information. It's literally out there in the open and the consequences of that can be dire in many cases.

To minimize the risks of privacy, it's important to be always aware of the information we are sharing online and to be very cautious about who we share it with. We normally don't do that in the physical world, so why are we doing it in the digital?

The Nature Of Work Is Changing

Finally, technology has the potential to disrupt the traditional job market. As automation and artificial intelligence become more advanced, many traditional jobs will become obsolete, leading to increased unemployment.

There are a few who say that the next economic crisis will primarily be caused by the unemployment crisis. This can have a significant impact on the economy and could lead to decreased economic growth.

To minimize the risks of unemployment, we just have to stop thinking linearly and start thinking non linearly. And to develop new skills that will be in demand in the future.

All images created via Nightcafe Studio.