Quite often people make the point that we all got along fine without computers several decades ago, so why do we need them now? Honestly, it’s a good question.
So let’s take a moment to look at how and why we use computers now. As of 2018,
90% of adults in the U.S. use the Internet for some purpose in their lives. Here’s
how most people use the internet:
- 90.8% access email
- 90.2% use test or instant message
- 74.4% use social media
- 69.5 watch videos or media online
- 68.5 go shopping or make reservations
- 65.9% use bank online or pay bills
- 52.6% stream music
- 46.6% use online video calls/ communication
- 22.6% work remotely
- 20.8% search for jobs
- 19.1% take classes online
Looking at the list of the activities U.S. adults most frequently do online, do we need computers? To answer that, we can ask ourselves a few questions:
1. Does technology make any daily tasks easier? Examples are banking, communicating with others, shopping, or accessing entertainment options.
2. What would we lose access to if we didn’t have the internet?
3. Are computers primarily helping people, or hurting?
4. Is there anything you would change about how you use the internet?
5. How do people communicate online? Is it effective?
6. Are computers harming any aspect of life?
7. Are there any major threats to personal safety?
8. How do we interact with people before the internet vs. after?
9. Are there any new opportunities provided by the internet?
10. How much time do you spend on the internet?
Consider the way you use computers. If they are predominantly helpful, keep doing what you’re doing. If you went through this list and saw a few things you would like to change, why not make a few adjustments?
Technology is designed to help people. Think about how you feel about computers. If computers aren’t helping you, change the way you use computers. If a specific program or website is stressing you out, you don’t have to go there. Take control of technology.
