Last Updated on April 29, 2022 by Filip Poutintsev
Digital technology is a base two process. Digitized information is recorded in binary code in the combination of the digits 0 and 1, also called bits, which represents words, images, and videos. A large amount of information to be compressed on a small storage device is enables by digital technology.
The information can be easily stored and transported. The speed of data transmission is increased with the invention of digital technology. It has completely transformed the way people communicate, learn, and work.
In recent years digital technology has revolutionized almost every aspect of people’s lives. Examples of digital technology include social media, online games, multimedia, and mobile phones.
Digital technology is used in different areas of life such as in business, education, media, healthcare, transportation, communication, and many more. Despite the several benefits of digital technology, it brings along. Here we try to list out the most important advantages and disadvantages of digital technology.
Pros of Digital Technology
– Advantages of Digital Technology
1. Connectivity
The world is now globalized with the invention of digital technology. It makes our friends and family closer than before. You can make communication by words, video, audio, and exchange of the media.
With the creation of websites, apps, and software socialization has boomed in recent decades. The most popular social media are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2. Communication speed and versatile working
The data transfer rate or internet speed has rapidly increased since dial-up methods for internet connectivity. Broadband technology increases the speed of the internet even more. The transfer of large files instantaneously, streaming video and audio in real-time and access data virtually from anywhere in the world becomes possible with high internet speeds.
Working in a closed room with international co-workers is impossible due to large geographical boundaries As internet speed increases with broadband services you can work from any part of the world in real-time. Many online and freelancing jobs done from many miles away without any hindrance.
3. Digital devices are portable
Digital devices are becoming smaller and smaller day by day. The storage media can store a large amount of data in a tiny chip. With the invention of transistors, the size and weight of digital devices have greatly reduced.
4. The quality of stored information is preserved.
The quality is never reduced with the use of digital technology in contrast with analog technology. The stored information in the analog system may damage or even lost or duplicated but in the digital system the case opposite.
5. Learning re-defined
Beforehand the traditional classroom is taught by teachers only. Students are completely dependent on teachers for acquiring knowledge which can be destructible since teachers are not always exactly correct.
With the arrival of digital technology teachers and students, both are heavily influenced since they can jump into the internet where you can find the solution to almost every possible problem.
According to a 2011 report by the Nellie Mae Education foundation, technology enables private study, develops computer skills and increases student engagement. You can have feedback on queries that you arise on a certain platform.
6. Entertainment
You can pursue your hobbies and interests through the use of digital technology. You can play online games and admit in music courses from any part of the world with the man of your choice. Different types of tv and reality shows are found on the internet which we can access with digital devices.
7. Transportation
Transportation medium such as airplanes, trains, and ships are using digital technology to accurately navigate routes in the sea and land. Not only that cars and buses are becoming fully automated in the near future.
The speedometer is digital nowadays which eases the use of vehicles. Road accident and plane crash are greatly reduced with the use of digital technology. The checking of the passport is past and reliable with a chip embedded in it.
The chip stores all the personal information which speeds up the process of checking through customs. Booking of planes and trains are done through online services.
Cons of Digital Technology
– Disadvantages of Digital Technology
1. Data security
Data security is a great concern nowadays in the digitized world. Digital technology means that a huge amount of information(text, images, and videos) is collected and stored.
This stored information may be of individuals or organization which is vulnerable to theft. This data can go into the hands of criminals, terrorist, foreign enemies, etc. as all the electronic equipment are connected through the internet all around the world.
2. Social isolation
The face to face communication is rare these days with the development of digital technology. People can communicate and socialize through the internet which is a part of digital technology.
This way of interacting sometimes creates ambiguity and disbelief among them. Studies have suggested that the lack of real-life contact causes depression and other forms of mental illness in many people.
3. Too much of work or work overload
As working with the use of digital technology increases speed and performance there are drawbacks of using it too. Workers from all around the world have to manage and handle large numbers of emails which can be hectic.
A large amount of data needs to be recorded and analyzed on a daily basis which requires greater attention and dedication creating distress and isolation. Organizing the vast amount of data such minutes of a meeting, training videos, photographs, reports can be a huge headache.
4. Diminishing job opportunity
Nowadays, it does not require you to be physically present in the office to do your work since you can work or perform tasks remotely with the use of the internet. The Internet allows workers from third world countries to do the same task in the minimum wage. This can reduce your job replacement opportunity.
There are certain types of work that are performed by automated machines but beforehand they were done by humans. Increasingly, more digital equipment is employed in a working area reducing the chance of getting a job.
5. Digital technology creates addiction towards it.
Online and offline computer games, messaging, social media platforms, chat rooms, dating, and other websites can be susceptible to become addictive. Internet user ends up wasting too much money for no or low return.
Computer games are so addictive that they may destroy your capability and time to perform an even more important task in your daily life. Gamers and surfers spend so much time on a computer which results in addiction towards it.
Related: These are the pros and cons of video games
6. Manipulation of digital media
There are different ways to change, edit and manipulate digital media. Manipulation of digital media is more come than before which increases the possibility of fake reports and results inducing more confusion instead of reality.
Photoshop, after effect, are such tools which can manipulate the original data to something new creating confusion about the original ideas and thought of the writer or creator.
Photographs, audio, videos are easy to edit. The size and quality of the image, the true voice of the singer are manipulated to create something new which lacks originality and true nature of the product.
7. Plagiarism and Copyright
The enforcement of copyright law is hard to implement as the information that is present in the internet world is vast and to track every data is becoming harder.
Everyone can copy and paste information from the internet which is worthless as you do not spend your time learning them. Plagiarism is also the practice of taking other’s work and ideas and passing them off as one’s own which is becoming common in the digital world.
