© Vera Castleman Social Implications Grade 10

Impact on Society ICT’s in everyday life ICT influence on life and life styles Legal and Ethical and Security Issues Social Implications Environmental Issues

ICT’s in everyday life Home Office School

ICT influence on life and life styles Health and Ergonomic Issues Economic reasons for using computers

Ethical and Security Issues Internet Privacy Copyright and Plagiarism Music and videos Piracy Security Issues

Social Implications Positive implications Negative Implications

Environmental Issues relating to ICTs Green Computing Disposal of Computers

Home EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) helps the head of the family pay bills at night. Online shopping can be done. Using a VOIP phone helps us keep in touch with family and friends. Researching projects Computer games Social websites

Office A computer occupies most of the desk space and will be used most of the day. Switchboards are computer controlled. Security cameras are controlled by a computer. Data is automatically transferred to the correct person.

School Learner Educator Administration

Learner Smartboards give a good interactive learning experience the learner can: See Hear Experience and Do Keyboard skills will help when the learner leaves school CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) programs can be used to teach or practice concepts. Learners can use the school computers to research projects.

Educator Teaching ideas and specialised sites are available Time will be saved if a teacher can type up their own notes and examination papers. Electronic mark books take the stress off manual calculations at the end of a term.

Administration School accounts are electronically maintained and paid. Governing Body Staff salaries can be calculated and transferred to banks using EFT. Attendance records are kept electronically. Student records can be electronically maintained e.g. Marks Discipline Health Issues Parental and medical details

Health and Ergonomic Issues Monitor Keyboard Ergonomics

Monitor Limit the amount of time you spend in front of the computer monitor. Keep the monitor at arms length Eyestrain Rest your eyes every 10 minutes  look away from the screen for 20 seconds. Take “blink breaks”. Use programs with clear, well-defined screen displays. Set the brightness and contrast to a restful level Keep the top of the screen at eye level Place reference text on the same level as the screen. Keep your keyboard in front of the monitor Have frequent eye checks. Use glasses with anti-glare lenses

Keyboard Neck and back problems:- Place keyboard in front of the monitor Place keyboard at the correct height RSI – Repetitive Strain Injury. Can affect the wrist, neck, back, arms, shoulders etc. It is signalled by aches and pains and tingling when using the keyboard or the mouse. Frequent breaks from computer work will help

Ergonomics  ”the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its abilities.” (Definition adapted from Human/Computer Interaction  Studies have resulted in ergonomic chairs and keyboards as well as ideal positioning in relation to the computer.

Economic reasons for using Computers Computers should be leading us to a paperless society Most Newspapers and magazines are available as electronic copies Most businesses will generate an electronic account Banking – can be done electronically Research – experiments can be simulated on a computer. Design –using CAD software one small detail can be corrected on the electronic blueprint.

Internet Privacy When we post information on social websites many people can see it: Current employers Prospective employers Members of our legal system Principals and teachers from your school Some sites request personal information  leave the site if you are uncomfortable. Any personal information could be circulated electronically.

Copyright and Plagiarism Anything that is found on the internet is the property of someone. It is taken for granted that it is copyrighted. If we take credit for this information we are guilty of Plagiarism. If you research on the internet: Summarise your findings in your own words and Give credit to the original author

Music and Videos There are many sites that offer free downloads of music and videos. Artists and producers are dependant on sales for their income. Each time we download these items they lose money Many argue that it is too expensive to buy these items legally The artists and producers argue that each time it is downloaded free, the cost to the rest of public rises It is a legal dilemma that has not yet been fully solved.

Piracy Each time you make an illegal copy of a CD, DVD, game or software you are denying income to the creators. You may not: Make a copy to give to a friend Make a copy to use simultaneously on a lot of devices Make a copy to sell.

Security Issues Never give anyone your password Pins and passwords should never be easily guessed. (e.g. your birth date, your dog’s name etc). Do not repeat any numbers, letters or symbols. (e.g or aacchttee) Don’t let the numbers or letters form a pattern (e.g or 2468 or ghij) Don’t spell words (e.g. music or study) Use an alphanumeric code (i.e. a mixture of letters and numbers) Be careful of giving too much information about yourself on your cell or on the internet Watch what you say on blogs and social sites.

Computer Criminals Hackers – (white hats) They usually hack into sites or networks as an intellectual challenge Crackers – (black hats) They will usually try to gain access to sites or networks with the express purpose of doing damage to files or placing viruses pinching passwords stealing sensitive material to sell for profit Using the network as a springboard to other places

Computer Crimes Redirecting an innocent search to a potentially harmful site Electronic Money theft Plagiarism Piracy Identity theft

Some ways that ICTs have broadened us socially Web cams help keep families and friends together Social networking updates your information for family and friends Helps shy, introverted people interact Computerised tasks give us more free time. It has assisted the handicapped by bringing a world to their doorstep. There is more availability of recreational activities. We can take on line courses in an area of interest. We can research any topic using the Internet Our cars are safer because of car tracking devices We can use GPS (Global Positioning Service) when travelling

Some ways that ICTs have negatively affected us Social networks have taken over the lives of some people. Technostress often leads to stress burnout, panic attacks or insomnia. Information overload is another problem Many untrained people are in danger of losing their jobs. Some shy people have become more withdrawn from reality the more reliant they become on their social sites The digital divide is evident.

Green Computing We need to cut down on hazardous waste materials that are used in the manufacture of computers and computer devices. We need to examine the possibility of making parts that can be recycled or can biodegrade.

Disposing of Computers Nothing in a computer is biodegradable Computer parts consist of hazardous materials. Toxic substances such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic and beryllium exist inside computer equipment. A CRT monitor can seep carcinogens into the ground and ground water. Find a company that will use what they can and will legally dispose of the rest. If your old system still functions donate it. Be careful when handing items like power supplies and CRT monitors. Both LCD and CRT monitors contain mercury. The newer LED monitors do not contain this hazardous material.