Technology is revolutionising nation in a negative way

Recently, I was invited by Bishop Charles May of the Diocese of the Highveld, on behalf of the Highveld Anglican Board of Social Responsibility, to address their fundraising dinner.

I took the opportunity to share my thoughts on the impact of globalisation on human values, since it is permeating all spheres of life.

Research shows that globalisation and new information and communications technologies are increasingly driving a revolution in the organisation of work and changing the relations between nations, including the production of and distribution of goods and services, and culture. It follows, then, that there’s no aspect of human activity that is immune from the effects of globalisation.

Also, while some applications of the new information and communications technologies have great potential to improve our lives, they have also brought about fundamentally disturbing disruptions and changes globally. The most obvious features of that change, of course, are those that affect the material circumstances of our lives, those technological developments that have transformed our styles of living. These developments, in turn, have generated changes in moral attitudes and values because of the altered circumstances, not only of our social lives, but also of our material lives. Technological change, then, is constantly creating new moral problems to which new responses must be found.

Some of the key moral challenges caused by this phenomenon manifest themselves through various types of bullying, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

This was confirmed by the findings of research into cyberbullying, which the media regularly reported on, and which can be attributed to the increasing rate at which young people are embracing technology.

This phenomenon also has undesirable effects owing to the fact that it fuels problems such as alcohol and substance abuse, gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, the spread of HIV/Aids and the use of violence as a means of resolving disputes between people.

Indeed, children watching television, listening to the radio or downloading content from the internet or from social media platforms are reconceptualising the world in terms of the meaning they attach to such content.

A critical question arises: What measures should we take to preserve moral values of our society among young people? It would be crucial, therefore, to understand the extent to which new technologies are diluting our societal values, and to find creative ways of addressing the problem. If SA is to succeed in restoring and instilling positive moral standards, there is a need to find practical solutions to address these morally debilitating challenges.

It is important to also involve the youth in attempts to find the solution.

Without their input we will have no legacy to pass nor leadership to shape to take the initiative of addressing current deficiencies into the future.

We have to embrace technology in an ordered fashion to promote a paradigm shift that allows for the development of authentic notions of individual identity, positive moral values and nationhood.

I am aware this may not be an easy task, however, it is a mission that needs to be undertaken. Mokoena is director of research and policy for the Gauteng department of social development