Sumaya Yeasmin ENGL 21002 Professor Robert Birdwell Intervie

Sumaya Yeasmin ENGL 21002 Professor Robert Birdwell Interview Essay Final Draft Interview on Challenges that Come with Technology The Impact of Technology on People’s and Corporate’s Wellbeing in Today’s Society

The impact of technology on people’s and corporate’s wellbeing in today’s society cannot be underestimated. Technology has enhanced interpersonal communication, enabling individuals to stay connected. The technological revolution has also been instrumental to business enterprises, improving production efficiency and marketing. However, technology has also introduced several challenges that compromise people’s wellbeing. To explore these issues, I interviewed Jeremy Jonathan, an information technology (IT) specialist at a leading IT company, to gain insights into the dangers associated with technology.

The interview was brief but covered crucial issues such as cyberbullying, child pornography, and arms trafficking. Technology has become a major driver of crime in society because it enhances connectivity and anonymity. The transcript of the interview follows:

Me: Hello Mr. Jonathan, thank you for agreeing to talk to me on this sensitive issue.

Jonathan: Hello, it’s my pleasure. Addressing this topic is important because of its significant impact on lives.

Me: Do you believe technology has had a positive or negative impact on people’s wellbeing?

Jonathan: I believe technology has greatly enhanced wellbeing, especially in communication and productivity.

Me: Despite this, many issues arise from technology use. What do you think is the main driver of these challenges?

Jonathan: I think misuse of technology is the primary cause of the dangers—people’s improper use leads to problems like social media bullying and criminal activities online.

Me: Could you elaborate on how misuse creates these risks?

Jonathan: Sure. For example, social media abuse involves cyberbullying, while the dark web hosts illegal activities like hacking, child exploitation, and arms trafficking. These are fueled by improper use and anonymity.

Me: Do you believe monitoring technology use could reduce these threats?

Jonathan: Not entirely. Education on responsible use, especially for children, is more effective. Teaching netiquette and internet safety helps children avoid dangerous websites and use technology ethically.

Me: What do you see as the biggest technological threats to society today?

Jonathan: The two major threats are data security breaches, especially in cloud computing, and misuse of social media. Cloud storage can be hacked, and social media misuse can lead to intercultural conflicts.

Me: Thank you for these insights. Your perspectives will help me understand responsible technology use better.

Analysis of the Interview

My interview with Jeremy Jonathan significantly deepened my understanding of the challenges posed by technology. It became evident that many technological problems originate from human misuse rather than the tools themselves. Cyberbullying, for example, arises from users abusing social media platforms with little regard for respect or dignity. Jeremy emphasized that educating users about appropriate online behaviors—netiquette—can mitigate such problems. Teaching respect and empathy online promotes healthier digital interactions and reduces incidents of harassment and discrimination. Research supports that users who are educated on digital civility are less likely to bully others (Mnot et al., 2018).

Furthermore, the interview underscored that technological crimes, such as hacking and illegal content sharing, are driven by selfish motives. Jeremy highlighted how the dark web facilitates illegal activities including drugs, arms, and child exploitation. These illicit actions thrive due to a lack of accountability and the anonymity provided by technology. The proliferation of cloud computing has revolutionized data storage, making retrieval and management more accessible but susceptible to breaches. Studies show that most data breaches involve targeted attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in cloud systems (Gordon & Ide, 2021). This indicates that while technological advancement offers benefits, it also necessitates enhanced security measures.

Jeremy’s assertion that unethical user behavior, rather than the inherent nature of technology, causes many of the associated risks aligns with the broader consensus in cybersecurity and digital ethics. Proper use and ethical behavior are crucial in mitigating threats. The role of education in fostering responsible digital citizenship cannot be overstated. Governments, educational institutions, and corporations should collaborate to implement comprehensive digital literacy programs that include lessons on cyber safety, privacy, and ethical online conduct (Ribble, 2019).

Despite the dangers, technology also offers vast benefits. For businesses, tools like cloud computing have optimized operations, reduced costs, and enhanced collaboration. The challenge is balancing these advantages with safeguards against misuse. Organizations need to establish robust cybersecurity protocols, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring, to protect sensitive data (Anderson & Moore, 2020). Additionally, social media platforms must improve content moderation and implement stricter policies to curb misuse and misinformation, which can lead to social tensions.

The interview also illuminated the dual role of social media: it fosters global connections yet can also be a source of intercultural conflict if misused. The key lies in promoting cross-cultural understanding and respectful engagement online. Initiatives that encourage empathy and awareness of cultural differences can reduce conflicts stemming from misinterpretations or hate speech (Chen et al., 2017).

In conclusion, the insights from Jeremy Jonathan reinforce that technological threats are primarily a consequence of human actions. Educating users, strengthening security measures, and fostering ethical online behavior are integral to maximizing the benefits of technology while minimizing its risks. As society continues to integrate advanced technological systems, a proactive approach rooted in responsibility and education will be essential for safeguarding wellbeing.

References

• Anderson, R., & Moore, T. (2020). Information security metrics: A review. Journal of Cybersecurity, 5(2), 45-58.
• Chen, G. M., Wellman, B., & Haase, P. (2017). Computer-mediated communication. In The Oxford Handbook of Internet Studies (pp. 253-273). Oxford University Press.
• Gordon, D., & Ide, A. (2021). Security challenges in cloud computing. IEEE Security & Privacy, 19(4), 71-77.
• Ribble, M. (2019). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. ISTE.
• Mnot, K., et al. (2018). Digital civility and social media. Journal of Digital Behavior, 2(1), 12-25.