How much do we depend on technology?

Technology has become an essential component of our everyday lives, as we rely ever-increasingly on our phones, tablets and laptops for everything and anything, from entertainment and information, to educational and work purposes.

You can now order groceries online to be delivered to your doorstep within hours, install a smart home system to remind you when you are out of milk and detergent, control the volume of your sound system, or video call a relative who lives on the other side of the world.

These are just a few examples of today’s uses of technology. We no longer depend on ourselves, but on our phones and laptops. Everything is now accessible within a few taps on our devices. 

When I was growing up, screen time was strictly limited, and I didn’t get a smart device until I was 18. Kids these days are given a smart device at a very young age, so how could we possibly expect them to know how to change a tyre or turn the washing machine on when most of their time is spent with their heads down (staring at a screen)? 

While technology allows us to communicate with friends and family over text messaging and social media, it has also eliminated the opportunity to speak to them in person. We no longer feel the need and desire to spend time with people because we’ve been given a much easier way to communicate. 

When I was on my way to work a few days ago, I realised that I had left my wallet at home just when I was about to tap in at the tube station. My first thought was to turn around, walk home and grab my wallet. Then I remembered that I’ve set up the Apple Wallet on my phone, which allows me to use my credit card even if I didn’t have the physical bank card on me (genius and lifesaving). 

On the other hand, I used to be able to remember my debit and credit card numbers, but now I can barely remember my national insurance number because my phone does it all for me.

Ultimately, technology is a bittersweet invention that has certainly improved our world, but it can also hinder our society in different ways if we are not cautious of its capabilities. 

Read all about the tech that has kept us connected during lockdown here.