IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS)

Volume 20, Issue 2, Ver. V (Feb. 2015), PP 82-86

e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845.
www.iosrjournals.org

The Impact of Technologies on Society: A Review

Mohammad Bani Younes1, Samer Al-Zoubi2
1

(Computer Science, Information Technology / Ajloun National University, Jordan)

(English Language and Literature, Arts and Educational Sciences/ Ajloun National University, Jordan)

Abstract : This research deals with the impacts of misusing modern technologies on members of the society
and their negative influences on economic, religious and social aspect, as well as their impact on people's
behavior and the responsibility of the society in monitoring the children who are in need of attention by
everyone through the guidance of appropriate educational ways. Moreover, this research shows the need of
joining all efforts collectively in order to protect the entire society from the dangers of modern technologies and
work together to take advantage of its resources properly. This usually starts from the family and schools and
ends with the universities, mass media and the various institutions that guarantee the rights of children from all
different areas. However, this research emphasizes the fact that everyone should take his/her responsibilities
towards using these methods properly whether at home or outside.
Keywords - modern technologies, negative effects, impact of technology.
I. Introduction
The more advanced technology becomes, the more it seems to have control over our lives. Today, the
use of technology is widely available and insistently promoted throughout our society. While technology makes
life easier for people, it also creates some problems for our society such as the decline in ordinary social
behaviors. Yet, modern societies realized the significance of intellectual technology which is a form of new
knowledge that achieves goals or solves many problems.
The word technology consists of two parts (Techno) means application, art or skill, and (Logy) means
science and learning. Thus, the linguistic meaning of the word technology is: the methods and tools that a
society has developed in order to facilitate the solution of its practical problems and to provide the necessary
needs for the community. Consequently, the use of technology in all areas of life increases risks, threats and
crimes associated with the use of this technique, which reflects negatively on the possibility of its use in
absolute terms in all walks of life [7].
Since human beings are social by nature, relationships nowadays become more dominated by the use of
modern technologies such as social media, which reduces the distances, despite of having negative effects on
human relations in society and family. Currently, people recognize that the use of modern technologies is a
requirement for life and an indication of the cultural awareness of the community. They have positive prominent
roles as one of the requirements of this era where they enter in all walks of life to provide services, improve the
quality of life and increase communication and relationships since it is a developed culture reflects the culture of
the community.
Thus, there are increased concerns in the speed at which modern technology spreads as well as its uses
and their false and negative impacts. This was due to the absence of effective guidance where some groups have
become vulnerable to the negative effects of life-threatening. Since education is an important area of life, the use
of modern technologies makes it an essential part in education, not just a simple addition [4].
This research shows the negative impacts of modern technologies on society and will contribute to
raise people's awareness towards the appropriate ways of using modern technologies. The authors hope that by
presenting the negative effects of modern technologies on society, it will have positive influences on individuals
and society in general since modern technologies play a major role in people's lives and future possibilities.

II. Statement of the Problem

The most important negative impacts of the use of modern technologies on society and its impact on
individual behavior are: the formation of personal beliefs, social isolation, reduction in the family ties between
the family and society members, inactivity, obesity, lack of desire to work different kinetic activities, a waste of
time in things that are not useful, increase in the rate of violence, especially in children because of watching
violent programs, high crime rate because of spreading video clips presenting all kinds of these crimes and
ways of committing them and the spread of lies and rumors causing distraction and loss of trust in such
information.

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The Impact of Technologies on Society: A Review

III. Significant of the Research
1.
2.
3.
4.

The practical significance of this research takes place in:

Identifying the negative impacts of the use of modern technologies and their patterns.
Recognizing the trend of using the modern technologies.
Contributing research to determine the cause of the phenomenon of the use of modern technologies with the
passage of time.
Seeking to identify and develop ways and effective mechanisms to reduce the negative impacts of the use of
modern technologies.

IV. Research Objectives

To demonstrate the negative impacts of the misuse of modern technologies on society. These are the
major objectives of this research:
1. To recognize the use of modern technological techniques by members of the society and their impacts on
the social aspects.
2. To identify the reasons for gaining modern technological techniques (why people use these techniques).
3. To reveal the disadvantages of the use of modern technological techniques in all areas of life.
4. To be aware of the ideas spreading among members of the society about the positive and negative impacts
of modern technological techniques.
5. To realize the impacts of modern technological techniques on the family relations, family budget and
children's achievements.
6. To be familiar with the family's role in reducing the risk of modern technological techniques.

V. Discussion of Research Objectives

The main purpose of this research is to identify the negative impacts of misusing modern technologies
on society. Moreover, it provides detailed information concerning the impact of modern technological
techniques on individuals and societies.
1.

Discussion Related to the First Objective of the Research

To recognize the use of modern technological techniques by members of the society and their impacts
on the social aspects. The use of modern technological technique becomes a cornerstone of human social life.
However, human societies experienced significant and rapid development of these techniques, making it more
convenient in social communication. Because of the adoption of these techniques, communities relationships
become unstable in all aspects of life and also it is difficult to determine the impacts of their use. Furthermore,
the occurrence of new and increasing patterns of behaviors and values influenced the social interaction process.
2.

Discussion Related to the Second Objective of the Research

To identify the reasons for gaining modern technological techniques (why people use these
techniques). One of the most important reasons for young people to use modern technologies is the desire not to
deal with others directly and not to establish social relationships. So these can become strong alternative of
social visits and exchange of experiences and feelings. On the other hand, media, such as radio and television,
still have major impact on the orientation of young people towards these techniques where most of them have
been brought up on information quoted from the media. We cannot lose sight of the satellite's role in the transfer
of ideologies from one country to another and the spread of blind imitation along with the youth feeling of
wanting the experience and independence from the others based on the fact that things that are forbidden are
liked the most, and the belief that most of the young people practice this kind of personal strength and ability to
make decisions away from the family and society. It is clear that most people who are addicted to the use of the
Internet are the ones who suffer from social isolation because they spend long times using these techniques and
their communication is limited to the written conversations with no sensory feelings.
3.

Discussion Related to the Third Objective of the Research

To reveal the disadvantages of the use of modern technological techniques in all areas of life. Wasting
time, the spread of incorrect and unauthenticated information and spreading lies through these techniques are
among the most drawbacks that face our communities due to the use of these techniques. Sometimes, one can
see a certain kind of sarcasm of the ultimate divine and religion and see the spread of religious stories as well as
incorrect beliefs come out as a result of these techniques. They can also be seen in other forms such as voice,
image or video files, which can cause danger to the young, gossip and verbal abuse to others, and it can also
lead to isolation and the emergence of a lot of psychological and health problems. Perhaps the mixing of
cultures is not less dangerous than the other negatives through which the society might be affected by many
strange customs and traditions under the excuse of openness and globalization. As a result, these means have
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The Impact of Technologies on Society: A Review

significant impacts on individuals that take them away from reading books and getting information through
printed paper.
4.

Discussion Related to the Fourth Objective of the Research

To be aware of the ideas spreading among members of the society about the positive and negative
impacts of modern technological techniques. Research and investigation have shown that people's views and
ideas conflict on the positive and negative use of these techniques. On one hand, some of people emphasized the
need to stay up to date with modern life, as a result of the accelerated pace of life in all aspects as a method to
reduce distances, save time and effort in terms of access to information and the completion of the transactions.
On the other hand, some of them believe that modern technologies have formed a severe blow to social and
family system and the cause of the high incidence of divorce and they recommend the need to impose sanctions
on these technology techniques so as not to leave their children in a world of illusions and assumptions and
lessens the social and family ties [9]. According to the religion point of view, some people think that modern
technologies are abomination of Satan and that they have contributed to the deterioration of values and lack of
ethics while others see it as a constructive means that we should take advantages of them.
5.

Discussion Related to the Fifth Objective of the Research

To realize the impact of modern technological techniques on the family relations, family budget and
children's achievements. The lives of individuals in a one family have changed as a result of the use of modern
technologies where families cannot escape from these changes and their effects. We can find that there are many
TVs in one house in different places, and some families have mobile phones and computers for each member,
which exhaust the family financially. However, in terms of psychological, health and social aspects, the spread
of violent images will have negative effects on children such as an unacceptable reaction of fear, anger,
discomfort and rebellion and hitting others. With respect to children's academic achievement, no one can deny
the clear retreat of children in school subjects because of the overuse of modern technological techniques.
6.

Discussion Related to the Sixth Objective of the Research

To be familiar with the family's role in reducing the risks of the modern technological techniques. It is
the parents' role to keep good relationships with their family members and protect them from engaging in the
Internet and mobile atmosphere and other modern means. Basically, there must be a constructive dialogue
policy between parents and children on one hand and between couples on the other hand along with giving equal
opportunities to all members of the family in terms of freedom of expression and discussion. In addition, time
management helps to bridge the leisure and occupancy in what is useful. Hence, it is necessary to encourage
family members to take advantage of their free time and access to training courses. For example, parents can
guide their children to the best way to use these techniques without intolerance or rigidity by clarifying the pros
and cons and try to hold them part of the responsibility and internal control.

VI. Previous Studies

There are many researches investigating the negative impacts of misusing modern technologies on
society in different countries in the world.
1. Khulaifi (2002) sought to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the internet. The results showed that
most of the participants (91.7%) have the desire to use the internet, and focus on the most important uses of
this network for the purposes of communication, exchanging information with others, searching for
information and entertainment. Participants in this study revealed the negative aspects of the internet such
as helping in the cultural invasion, and causing social, ethical, and health problems if it is used frequently
[1].
2.

Lailah (2000) conducted a study aimed at clarifying the role of media in the information technology that
badly affecting the family relationships, and focused on the negative impact of the performance of the
media and information technology in our society. As a result, this helps to erode the value systems which
oriented to family interaction. The study recommended upbringing the young and the adult according to a
moral system supporting their identity [6].

3.

Bryant (2006) carried out a study intended to identify the relationship between the use of text messaging
and the formation of social networks for teenagers. The sample of study consisted of 40 participants ranged
in age group (11-13 years).The study results confirmed that there is a limited overlap between friendships in
the lives of individuals and friendships through interactive technology. So, there is a number of friends on
the internet to communicate with them on line and instant messaging has proven that it is not a substitute
for a source of social support to people who suffer from isolation [3].

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The Impact of Technologies on Society: A Review

4.

Al Aga (2009) performed a study aimed at identifying the impact of new technologies, the patterns of
internet used, disclosure of the negative uses and identifying the uses of mobile phone and Bluetooth among
the study sample on juvenile delinquency in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries. The results of this
study showed that there are significant differences in the patterns of the use of internet technology and
mobile phone among juvenile delinquents and non-delinquents. Moreover, juvenile delinquents use the
Internet and mobile phones in negative acts more than others. However, there are differences between
juvenile delinquents and non-delinquents in the main study axes according to the primary variables [7].

5.

Al-Majali (2007) demonstrated study to recognize the impacts of internet use on the social relations among
university students in Jordanian society. The sample of the study was chosen randomly and consisted of
(325) male and female participants of Mutah University. The results of the study showed that the impact of
internet use on social relations increased in the case of getting students to use the Internet on their own, and
the greater the number of hours the participants used daily. The results also showed that most uses of the
internet are for scientific research purposes, and mostly within the campus. In addition to that, the results
showed the impact of internet use on social relations and some qualitative variables, such as gender, age,
type of college, academic level, monthly income to the families of the participants, as indicated by the (F)
value in terms of statistics 0.05.The study developed a set of recommendations regarding the impact of
internet use on the social relations [2].

6.

Rabab Al-Gammal (2014) highlighted the impact of new media (social networking via the Internet) on the
pattern of values and moral on young people in Saudi Arabia in order to develop a mechanism to promote
moral values. The author emerged from the main objective with the following sub-goals:
1. Monitoring, examining and evaluating relationship between the young and the modern mass media by
identifying the intensity use of the new media, the type of participation, motivation and the implication
of interest to young people towards them [8].
2. Determining the moral order of the Saudi youth - as part of the Arab and Muslim young people - and
the degree of adoption of the youth moral and religious values recently.
3. Explaining how Saudi youth deal with virtual time provided by new media especially the internet style.
4. Monitoring the opinions and attitudes of young people about the reasons for the spread of immoral
behaviors and the relationship of that amount of exposure to new media in Saudi Arabia other Arab and
the Islamic countries.

7.

Al Yousef (2006) conducted a study under a title of the "Advantages and Disadvantages of Modern
Technologies - Studying the negative effects on the health of the individual." The study pointed out that in
the case of addiction to the use of the internet, this will lead to a loss of self-control, the neglect of personal
status, poor relations and communication in the social environment. The study confirmed that the risk of
internet addiction is increasing among people who enjoy free access to it, as a case of university students
[5]. To summarize, there is a lot of research investigating the negative impacts of misusing modern
technologies on society in Jordan. The current research based on the previous ones shows the negative
impacts of modern technologies on society. The authors hope that by showing the negative effects of
modern technologies, it will have positive influences on individuals and society in general since modern
technologies play a main role in people's lives and future possibilities.

VII.

Conclusion

Research shows that the correct use of modern technologies require a comprehensive understanding to
the reality of change that happens to the community. Thus, this requires concerted efforts through full
cooperation among all sectors of society, from family to government institutions, along with the presence of
useful awareness programs supervised by these institutions and pursued by the family to utilize the modern
technologies accurately in order to ensure and protect the future generations. Nowadays, people socialize with
each other using online-environments such as Facebook, MSN and phones instead of face to face interaction on
these types of communications. The nature of the human is not programmed for this type of communication yet.
People must live and work together to socialize with each others. In conclusion, it is obvious that modern
technologies can be a double-edged weapon. They have their advantages, but with many inventions, they can
completely change our lives, for better or worse. As a result, we must work for the interest of social connection
to preserve people's feelings towards each other away from the addiction to technology. Finally, this research is
simply a little effort towards doing justice to this subject and it could assist future researchers in examining this
topic with other groups and in more depth and with more relationships to the present use of modern technologies
and their impacts on societies.

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The Impact of Technologies on Society: A Review

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