Technology has brought us speed, innovation, increased access to information and connectivity. However, there seems to be very few discussions on its impact on our humanity.
Social values have always been exposed to change, but in the past, this process would be slow. The values held by our parents seemed almost static, for example. On the other hand, the digital era has brought a rapid transformation to which we are as social creatures. For example, before modern technology, our feeling of belonging to the premises was very strong. Formerly considered central to society, this value is no longer considered as such. The sacred character of the place where we were born or who grew up has lost importance, leading to a lower sense of belonging and loyalty.
The increase in screen time has resulted in a decrease in face -to -face interactions in families, which means a reduction in time spent on healthy discussions and to share experiences. Social media also exposed individuals to values that differ madly from those owned by traditional families, having an impact on the relationships, marriage and education of children. He created unrealistic standards of success and beauty, leading to dissatisfaction in itself and within families. The increased commitment of young people on digital platforms has also detached them from older generations, threatening the continuity of values systems. Consequently, although social media has improved connectivity, it also withdrew the quality of real personal relationships.
On the positive side, technology has contributed to the strengthening of families by allowing family members living far from being connected by video calls and messages, promoting a feeling of unity even when you live far. It also facilitated the supply of much more educational resources for children by allowing parents to access online courses for their children, including online teaching and parenting applications. Tablets and smartphones are becoming more and more common in education, and they are used for virtual tutoring and the surveillance of children’s progress.
Distant cultures have been compared.
Technology has also facilitated gender equality and empowerment, which questions traditional gender roles in family life. Women can now access the information that allows them to continue their studies, their careers and their financial independence. Likewise, digital advocacy for change has facilitated marginalized communities to share their experiences and fight for their rights. The evolution of values, in particular on women pursuing career and personal development, has led to a delay in marriages, which has had positive results for population growth and many other social indicators.
Globalization and technology have also brought distant crops closer, causing more frequent marriages between different cultures and ethnic horizons and creating mixed families. This has created an even wider range of cultural standards and family practices, which makes family structures more fluid and diverse.
Technology has also offered various benefits, such as online payment for public service bills, online banking services and purchases. This made it possible to comfort, reduce stress and allowed more time for other social activities. Online platforms also offer a space for support networks and communities where people can share their experiences and challenges with others in similar situations. These can provide a lot of inspiration to those in difficulty.
Technology and confidentiality are interconnected. Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights incorporates
Acy as human right. The increased use of digital technologies has posed important challenges to confidentiality, as technology has enabled governments and other entities to collect, analyze and sometimes improper use of personal data. The safeguarding of privacy as a human right is inevitable and requires a clearly defined legal framework and digital literacy so that individuals understand how to protect their personal information. However, confidentiality is not only to protect data alone, but to guarantee freedom of expression, autonomy and human dignity.
Technology has brought convenience but also ethical dilemmas. The line between convenience and intimacy is often blurred and requires clarity. In a realistic way, an ideal clarity concerning privacy is not possible, but the struggle for such will recognize the efforts that respect for privacy is another name to recognize human dignity.
Undoubtedly, at the present time, human survival is difficult without technology. However, the real concern is how the new generation uses technology, which has reduced the scope and time necessary to improve their understanding of human relationships.
The writer is the author of Pakistan: between extremism and peace.
X: * @ Alibabakhel*
Posted in Dawn, February 17, 2025