Uses of ICT

Uses of ICT

1. Impact of ICT for Individuals

   • Social Networking
     • Advantages
       • Allows you to keep in contact with friends and family
       • It's free
       • It is easy to find people you can be friends with
       • You can post interesting things about yourself
       • It can notify you for birthdays and upcoming events with your friends
       • Some sites are professional and can be a good way of showing your experience
       • News stories can be seen within social networks and can improve knowledge and experience of users
       • There are many ways of accessing, like through your phone or internet
     • Disadvantages
       • You can lose privacy
       • You could regret posting certain things in the future
       • Online bullying
       • You could get a misguidance of information, for example, rumours can be spread
       • They can be a distraction
       • People can lie or exaggerate and boast
     • News Story
   • Online Shopping
     • Advantages
       • It is convenient as you can shop from wherever you are
       • There are greater variety as there are more online shops than real life
       • There is increased competition between retailers bringing down prices
       • People with a disability that limits their mobility can make use of this
     • Disadvantages
       • Security concerns about using your card online
       • Not being able to physically inspect the goods before buying, they could be broken or not look anything like advertised
       • Goods could be damaged during transport
       • Goods may not arrive in time
       • Concerns over what information the business may be keeping about you
     • News Story
       • http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/03/13/amazon-working-on-apple-watch-shopping-app/
   • Online Banking
     • News Story
     • Advantages
       • People can bank when it suits them, they do not have to physically go into the bank
       • There are higher interest rates due to not needing as many bank staff
       • There is increased market awareness
       • People can check their current balance as long as they have internet
       • People can transfer money through the internet
       • There are apps for easier accessibility
     • Disadvantages
       • There is a closure of smaller branches of banks and people who do not online bank may have to travel further in these locations
       • There is a problem with security, people may not feel safe logging into their banks online
       • There are staffing reductions meaning less jobs are available

2. Impacts of ICT

   • Economic
     • To Companies - Businesses who invest in ICT will be more successful and efficient.
     • Individuals - It allows them to become more employable and efficient with their own tasks, they can gain more skills.
     • It can be expensive to buy ICT equipment. Some countries may not be able to afford this.
   • Enviromental
     • ICT can be used to reduce the energy use and can help people to solve problems faced by the damage to environment.
     • Some ICT hardware and software use lots of energy. Packaging can be a damage to the enviroment.
   • Cultural
     • It allows people to explore other types of culture and they can see lots of different materials across the internet.
     • It can allow racial abuse etc. across the internet. Many people can be subjected to this.
   • Social
     • Social networking sites have never been as popular and many people believe they are an extension to social interaction and not a complete substitute.
     • Many companies judge people by now they are portrayed socially such as on social networking. Many people need to be cautious of this.
     • Teleworking means that employers can work away from the office and this has become popular because it allows them to work at the times they choose.
     • Many teleworkers can become isolated and may not feel as though they are part of the workforce.