WHEN THE CULPRIT

TECHNOLOGY has obviously brought endless benefits to mankind. It has advanced with years and has changed the way we live, work and play. It makes life better, allows us to work more efficiently, and add more fun and colour to our leisure pursuits.

When the Internet became mainstream, it was hailed as one of the best technological advancements with its ability to break down geographical barriers, and more importantly bring change. Its derivatives such as social media and Internet of Things (IoT) are further testimony of technology’s positive impact on our lives.

But, over time, with more innovations and advancements, we are also beginning to see the dark side of technology. In fact, we have already been given previews of what technology catastrophic consequences could be in the future through post-apocalyptic and dystopian science fiction movies such as

and more.

We all like to believe that technology was created with virtuous intentions. but not all are what it seems. Its virtuousness lies in the fact that not everyone who uses technology, uses it for the right reasons. The fact that one can find anything and everything on the Internet can make it a doubleedged sword.

It makes us more knowledgeable about everything and yet knowing too much may not be a good thing for some people. Anyone, anywhere can now just go online to search for information. While it’s at our convenience now, it does cut off our social interactions, since we do not have to physically connect with others to do research.

Besides the lack of social interactions, other Internet abuse include cyber-bullying, malware, spam advertising, identity theft, hacking, bootlegging and more. The list is added every year when people with bad intentions become more creative with the Internet.

The technology itself is harmless since it only carries out what it is programmed to do. However, it offers a big black hole for people to direct its possibilities to negative uses.