IT2222

SOCIAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY Environment and Sustainability

The Importance of Social Responsibilities With technological progress, a future in which electronic waste or e-
waste becomes a much bigger problem is possible. It is responsible
Social responsibility is an ethical theory where individuals are to dispose of devices and electronic wastes in their appropriate bins.
accountable for fulfilling a civic duty that benefits society. A balance
between economic growth and the welfare of society should be Fortunately, technologies like smart machines are built to separate
observed to accomplish social responsibilities. waste from the streets or the sea. Machines that improve the quality
of life of animals and trees help fulfill this responsibility.
Social responsibilities are built on a system of ethics wherein decisions
and actions must be ethically validated before proceeding. If the action Source: https://www.waste360.com/recycling/bin-e-creates-contactless-smart-bin
or decision causes harm to society or the environment, it is considered
socially irresponsible.

Here are social responsibilities in information systems and technology:

Human Safety

It is a responsibility to protect public safety, health, and welfare with

every new system and technology. An example would be developing
devices with robotics that automate bathing for the elderly. Creating
devices with specific sensors that help detect health hazards such as
gas and chemical leaks.

Figure 2. Bin-e creates a contactless smart bin

Internet Safety

As personal and organizational information such as intellectual

property transitions to the cyber world, the number of cyber criminals
increases, posing a risk to these assets. It is a responsibility that
concerns not just big corporations but also the most vulnerable
individuals.

It can be resolved by applying lawful and stricter rules to the systems

Source: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/community/article/2148223/automated- and conducting close monitoring to avoid any cyber-attacks.
bathing-device-helps-elderly-shower-safely-and
Figure 1. Automated bathing device for the elderly

07 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 [email protected] Page 1 of 4
 IT2222

Pro Bono Publico

Positive Impacts of ICT
It means “for the public good” in Latin. It is a responsibility to share
knowledge and skills in technology through voluntary participation in Technology has helped societies increase productivity and inclusivity
seminars, conferences, advisory groups, and one-on-one of services and improve overall well-being.
consultations for those who are not privileged enough to access nor
pay for them. Healthcare & Wellness Advancements

Tech possesses a vast potential for health and healthcare systems

improvements, from AI-powered clinical drug trials to enabling
preventative patient monitoring to wellness solutions such as
wearables.

Wide tech adoption by patients and healthcare professionals has

excellent potential to improve public health entities’ efficiency as
advancements in preventative health can remove healthcare
expenditures and allow early patient monitoring and symptom
detection.

Initiatives and healthcare tech companies work significantly faster

than traditional companies. An example is xCures’ Beat-19 study, an
AI-fueled company that matches cancer patients and their oncologists
with optimal investigational or approved therapies. It also utilizes the
algorithm for data collection for Covid-19, including gender, race, and
one’s underlying conditions.
Source: https://www.sti.edu/sti_news.asp
Figure 3. STI computer lab on wheels Education

One example is STI’s Mobile School: Computer Lab on Wheels, an E-learning platforms host courseware materials from different
outreach program to cater to unprivileged individuals by bringing industries that contain videos and interactive boards, making
computers and teaching them basic computer skills. education much more accessible and available to students.

Societal Impacts of ICT Technology in education does not just end with virtual learning but
extends to virtual reality, artificial intelligence (AI), and neuroscience,
Computer technology has been the most significant technology since making learning more immersive and interactive.
the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Startups like Immerse use VR to help students learn English by
It can save lives, make people healthier, and create new wealth. It has communication and practice through a range of topics and themes
helped humankind explore space, communicate conveniently, create using VR headsets. AI can also help students with disabilities identify
entertainment, and do other beneficial tasks humans enjoy. the best way to learn efficiently and with tangible progress.

07 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 [email protected] Page 2 of 4
 IT2222

Environment Protection Adverse Impacts of ICT

Environmental initiatives are creating sustainable solutions to recycle Fake News and Misinformation
and reduce waste, purify water, and monitor changes in the
environment to ensure a more sustainable future. These are not brand-new issues, but with the pace of tech
advancements, people find it challenging to identify what is true and
For example, a Nigerian startup, Brickify, recycles plastic waste into what is not.
bricks resistant to water, fire, and heat and can be used for road
construction and low-cost housing. Edelman Trust Barometer in 2020, an annual trust and credibility
survey on data protection, showed that 60% of the respondents say
After the significant wildfires in Australia in 2020, Dryad Networks that the pace of change in tech is too fast, while 57% think social
launched a wireless environmental sensor network based on the media platforms are filled with untrustworthy information.
leading open standard for long-range radio IoT networks to detect
wildfires about 60 minutes before they spread out. Some measured After the Cambridge Analytica scandal with Facebook, 76% of the
metrics include humidity, drought, air quality, carbon dioxide levels, respondents worry that fake news will be weaponized to polarize and
and oxygen concentration in water. radicalize specific groups. This idea was reinforced by the pandemic,
which resulted in the rise of fake news regarding COVID causing more
Equal Opportunities confusion and insecurity in healthcare.

The universal value of technology is bringing equality in products and Social media platforms themselves are struggling with content
services through minimizing socioeconomic gaps in society. As moderation as well. In 2021, Twitter launched the Birdwatch program
proved earlier, it made health and education available to more people to build a community to help fight misinformation and fake news.
by making it easier to learn and get medical care regardless of social
status and by creating persons with a disability-friendly environment. It is necessary to double-check whether the information on social
media is legitimate or not. It is also encouraged to counter fake news
In work settings, technology helps detect all kinds of discrimination, and misinformation by spreading the truth based on studies, research,
such as the gender gap and exclusion of minorities using artificial and historical facts.
intelligence models that detect hate speech.
Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health
Social Issues
Social media platforms rely on instant gratification to keep their users.
Aside from its positive impacts, technology also creates powerful Their notification systems are there to lure users back. Neuroscientists
problems including the potential loss of privacy, online thefts, and at Freie University in Berlin further validate this, stating that social
breakdowns of reliable complex systems. media notifications for likes activate the brain’s reward system.

However, the adverse impacts of technology on society are mostly Additionality, studies suggested that social media exposure leads to
blamed on social media. According to research, social media is listed loneliness and detachment. FOMO, or fear of missing out, is linked to
as the most common place where misinformation, hate speech, and excessive social media use.
harassment is widespread, leaving some people isolated and
depressed.
07 Handout 1 *Property of STI
 [email protected] Page 3 of 4
 IT2222

FOMO happens when someone is flooded with posts of others doing

exciting things while their personal life seems mundane and worse.
The youth is vulnerable as they are prone to easily feeling lonely, even
with the awareness that the content is just a fraction of reality.

Detaching social media is difficult for users that are heavily ingrained
in the platforms. It is advisable to set a time limit for consumption and
realize that everything on social media is not the absolute reflection of
somebody’s life.

References:
Baase, S., Henry, T. (2017). A gift of fire: Social, legal, and ethical issues for
computing technology. Pearson.
Pachamana Alliance (2022). Social responsibility and ethics. [Web Article].
Retrieved on July 27, 2022, from https://pachamama.org/social-
justice/social-responsibility-and-ethics
Paterska, P. (2021). Positive and negative impact of technology on society.
[Web Article]. Retrieved on July 27, 2022, from
https://www.elpassion.com/blog/positive-negative-impact-of-tech-on-
society
Segran, S. (2022). Do IT professionals have a social responsibility? [Web
Article]. Retrieved on July 27, 2022, from
https://agtech.cioreview.com/cioviewpoint/do-it-professionals-have-a-
social-responsibility-nid-25389-cid-205.html

07 Handout 1 *Property of STI

 [email protected] Page 4 of 4