TECHNOLOGY has brought us speed, innovation, increased access to information and connectivity. However, there seems to be very little discussion about its impact on our humanness.
Social values have always been exposed to change, but in the past, this process would be slow. The values held by our parents appeared almost static, for example. In contrast, the digital age has brought with it a rapid transformation in who we are as social creatures. For example, before modern technology, our sense of belonging to places used to be very strong. Once considered central to society, that value is no longer considered as such. The sanctity of the place where we are born or have grown up has lost significance, resulting in a weaker sense of belongingness and loyalty.
Increased screen time has resulted in a decrease in face-to-face interactions within families, meaning a reduction in time spent on healthy discussions and sharing experiences. Social media has also exposed individuals to values that differ wildly from those held by traditional families, impacting relationships, marriage and child-rearing. It has created unrealistic standards of success and beauty, leading to dissatisfaction within oneself and within families. The increased engagement of young people on digital platforms has also detached them from older generations, threatening the continuity of value systems. Therefore, while social media has improved connectivity, it has also taken away from the quality of real-life personal relationships.
On the plus side, technology has contributed to strengthening families by enabling family members living far away to remain connected through video calls and messaging, fostering a sense of togetherness even when living far apart. It has also facilitated the provision of far more educational resources for children by enabling parents to access online courses for their children, including online teaching and parenting apps. Tablets and smartphones are becoming more common in education, and they are used for virtual tutoring and monitoring of children’s progress.
Distant cultures have been brought closer.
Technology has also facilitated gender equality and empowerment, challenging traditional gender roles in family life. Women can now access information that enables them to pursue their education, careers, and financial independence. Likewise, digital advocacy for change has facilitated marginalised communities in sharing their experiences and struggling for their rights. Changing values, particularly about women pursuing career and personal development, has resulted in delayed marriages, which has had positive outcomes for population growth and many other social indicators.
Globalisation and technology have also brought distant cultures closer, resulting in more frequent marriages between different cultures and ethnic backgrounds and creating blended families. This has created an even wider range of cultural norms and family practices, making family structures more fluid and diverse.
Technology has also offered various time-saving benefits, such as online payment of utility bills, online banking, and shopping. This has provided comfort, reduced stress, and allowed more time for other social activities. Online platforms also provide space for support networks and communities where people can share their experiences and challenges with others in similar situations. These can provide much inspiration for those struggling.
Technology and privacy are interconnected. Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights incorporates priv-
acy as a human right. The increased use of digital technologies has posed significant challenges to privacy, as technology has made it easier for governments and other entities to collect, analyse, and sometimes misuse personal data. Safeguarding privacy as a human right is inevitable and requires a clearly defined legal framework and digital literacy for individuals to understand how to protect their personal information. However, privacy is not just about protecting data alone but also ensuring freedom of expression, autonomy, and human dignity.
Technology has brought convenience but also ethical dilemmas. The line between convenience and privacy is often blurred, and it requires clarity. Realistically, ideal clarity regarding privacy is not possible, but the struggle for such will acknowledge the efforts that respecting privacy is another name for acknowledging human dignity.
Undoubtedly, in present times, human survival is difficult without technology. However, the real concern is how the new generation is using technology, which has reduced the scope and time needed to enhance their understanding of human relationships.
The writer is the author of Pakistan: In Between Extremism and Peace.
X: *@alibabakhel*
Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2025
