Technology has become part and parcel of human activity, slowly replacing humans. Today, automation technologies are taking the place of humans, and this has become a serious debate about whether or not technology should replace humans. Following the current innovation trends in different areas of the economy, particularly the productive system, human power has been limited and considered unreliable and insufficient. Most companies need more human intervention and consider it too risky and expensive. The objective in this area of production is to reduce the place of people in the companies, the tasks they used to perform, and their contribution to the companies (Latour 104). Although there are actions today in factories that promote the ideology of operator-free activities, it is nearly impossible that these actions function entirely without the intervention of human beings.
Additionally, it is agreeable that these machines cannot master everything and run their operations smoothly all by themselves. Given this, there is a place for human beings even though they are not directly involved. For instance, in the future of flying, pilots will still be needed even though they are not directly used. For example, in the case of a breakdown, the pilot may discover some problems that arise even though the airplanes are automated. This way, the pilot becomes a temporary operator, thus not wholly eliminated. Following this perspective, humans are given the ‘residual’ ability because they become effective after accomplishing the more significant part or activity. This can also be termed as the ever-shrinking place or performer of the tasks that have not been resolved or are yet in the process of being technically resolved. In most cases, these technical tasks are yet to be confirmed for their usefulness, safety, optimality, reliability, performance, or efficiency hence automation (De Boer 744-755). As a result of doubt’s benefit, humans act as residuals, hence, they are temporarily necessary. Moreover, technology and social media positively and negatively affect teens.
Modern technology is a major asset to society, for there are several positive effects on the youth. Although there have been claims that technology is the root cause of all the problems affecting the youth, the positive effects of technology undoubtedly have surpassed the negative effects. Lack of awareness can have a detrimental effect on teens, but with modern technology, teens are made aware of their inner self and how others perceive them. Today, society is more aware of different technologies,, makinexposingposed tlogy at a younger age. For this reason, teens are exposed to programs that educate them on issues of self-awareness. Several programs on television teach teens about self-growth, their environment, their politics, and the different cultures and how to accept people from these different cultures. Inarguably, technology is power; thus, teens get the power and ability to fight for their rights since they are already made aware of their rights.
Additionally, advocating for technological advancements is for the common good of all members of the society. Additionally, technological advancements open doors to teens from remote communities and allow them to connect with those from developed communities, especially when the two groups have similar interests. Additionally, with technology, there is inclusion of teens living with disabilities as they are included in all activities. With online platforms, vulnerable teens are given the chance to showcase their abilities since their disability is not an inability. With these programs that promote the inclusivity of all teens, a better community is built, thus promoting prosperity and peace. Countries and leaders from all parts of the world need to embrace the assimilation of technology since teens benefit from it.
As technology elements, social media platforms have taken control of human power and authority. Initially, messages would be used to pass a message, but today, this is not the case because one can receive and send messages in the comfort of their home. Globally, social media platforms connect people from different parts of the world, thus facilitating knowledge sharing. As Merriam-Webster puts it, social media is a digital platform that facilitates connection among people. As of 2020, nearly 60% of people use social media platforms, representing 4.6 billion individuals (Digital et al.). Through computer-based knowledge, media platforms connect different communities. These platforms are Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, among others. These platforms open the medium of communication where teens can share ideas.
Additionally, these digital platforms create a link for family communication. This is helpful to teens because they are likely to stay connected to their family members, similarly, through these platforms. Teens can meet new people and create healthy relationships and friendships. Online relationships strengthen through social media platforms, thus creating room for self-expression among the youth and reducing chances of loneliness. With these platforms, the sharing of information and news has been made easily accessible since information spreads faster and has the chance of getting to a large group of people. The more people, the more teens interact with these individuals, thus more knowledge. With social media, nobody can communicate since everyone is open to writing their comment. For this reason, the world is reduced to a small village, promoting a comprehensive participation of all teenagers. Information parity is being enhanced as people continue to enlighten each other by sharing knowledge and skills. Social media contributes to discussing a particular topic, giving a more comprehensive range of opinions. Social media influences decision-making by providing a space for a wide range of views. Many people connect for discussion through Google Classroom, Meet, and Zoom. For this reason, social media has helped teens interact with each other and share important information. Additionally, with the interaction of Google meetings, classroom and Zoom classes, teens can learn and interact easily with their teachers.
Social media platforms act as a place to seek advice on a problematic issue and receive recommendations from others: youths can use this to solve their problems. The feedback concerning their issue is put in the comments section, guiding their direction and way of doing things. People apply ideas they see on social media. On political issues, social media platforms influence political decisions on the leaders to choose and discuss their problems. People will follow others’ comments to decide on the best political leader. Social media promotes the digitalization of news as sharing information becomes easier and faster. Production of news ends up cheaper due elimination of typesetting and broadcast operations. Report on social media spreads very fast and covers a wider geographical area. Participation of people in giving their feedback on these digital platforms makes it very active. Online news takes the course of replacing traditional news, which occurred at a specific time. One can have news as fast as they happen compared to the conventional ways of using the television and newspapers, and this is helpful to teens, keeping in mind that teens are never patient and are always looking for quick feedback. Additionally, social media promotes education among teens as they can share information and knowledge throughout the world, thus enlightening each other. Teens learn about new trends and things going on around the globe. Social media provides an opportunity for diverse learning on various issues and topics as students connect and relate to different problems. Social media makes learning dynamic as knowledge goes beyond the classroom walls.
However, these platforms capture the attention of the audience and then sell the attention, hence making the audience the product. These platforms need individuals that are distracted or can be easily distracted, and social media does an excellent job of it and thus opens a platform for advertisements that capture the audience’s attention. Social media creates an epidemic known as “distraction sickness,” where an individual fails to concentrate and constantly loses their attention and time. An example is when one opens their phone with one task in mind but takes more than one hour of scrolling through their phone. Individuals that are mostly distracted, in this case, are usually teens. For this reason, social media platforms become addictive to the teens and end up wasting their time unnecessarily. As part of technological advancements, online platforms have taken control of human behavior and emotions (Lenhart). Social media platforms have developed a surveillance program where they can access the users’ profiles and send messages and videos that can change their behavior. With frequent use of social media platforms, individuals are prone to all sorts of information that can be manipulative, thus influencing their behavior. For example, a like button on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram accounts can be used to track the audience’s interests, and this information can be used to manipulate their behavior. Additionally, if one fails to get the number of likes they desire, they can experience feelings of low self-esteem and acceptance. These feelings can lead to depression or suicidal thoughts. Additionally, technology has subjected people to increased incidences of cyberbullying and trolling. Harassment through mean comments and posts leads to humiliation. The intimidation brought about by online trolling may cause depression, low self-esteem, and frustration among young people. Additionally, others state that cyberbullying may destroy one’s reputation in society. Experts of technology have not implemented strict rules and regulations for technology use; hence people are exposed to all forms of injustice. Technology should be part of the people, and humans should take equal responsibility for technology.
Social media being for the better will come up with institutions like Quality assurance organizations to set rules and regulations which check what posts and comments are made. Parents to restrict young users from joining social media to avoid landing on inappropriate content for their age. Close monitoring and supervision to control the contents the young users watch. Parents to befriend children so that they will not look for social media for friends. Parents need to learn that televisions and other technologies are not a soothing tool for their children. There is a need to devise tools and a way of controlling the use of social media platforms. Teens are mostly affected by social media platforms, and if they are not well controlled, they may end up getting distracted. Despite the rapid rise of these technologies, there is the need to have a controllable behavior because if not well used, there can be negative behavioral changes among the youths. For example, continuous use of social media platforms can make teens withdraw from others. Face-to-face socialization with one another becomes limited, thus destroying social relationships (Lenhart). It is the role of the community at large to devise ways of limiting the use of social media platforms among the youths as a way of protecting them from negative and adverse effects of social media. With these recommendations, social media is for the better
To sum up, the world needs to embrace change, and technological advancement as one of the changes. Despite the petitions to include humans in the workforce, technology continues to be rampant and has helped countries exercise their supremacy. Gone are the days when people depended on others for guidance and assistance with tasks. Technological innovations have helped the world operate effectively and efficiently. Artificial intelligence and robots have become more reliable than humans, and their ability to save time makes them dependable. Also, the world cannot ignore the fact that technology can help the problem of competition from other companies and countries. Additionally, the only way out for companies that wish to save more is by replacing humans with computers. For example, a robot can work all day and night with no pay and minimum errors and supervision. This is not the case for humans because they will need extra pay for extra time spent working and supervision. Additionally, robots can do repetitive work without getting tired, unlike humans, who will feel bored working on monotonous work. For the last few years, computers and robots have demonstrated tremendous results and can now replace humans. About 47% of the workforce in the United States is computerized, while 58% of the German workforce has embraced automation (Raj and Robert 7). Today, most large manufacturing companies use robots to conduct their activities, such as assembling cars. Some robots now do not require skilled technicians because they can work on themselves, which is an added advantage to most companies. Self-driving cars are now a reality in the world, and most individuals have adapted to this innovation. Today, most teens have been introduced to these technological advancements, and this has a positive impact on their lives.
Work Cited
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