We hear a lot about the evils of digital technology – how it can make us lazy, depressed and misinformed. However, there are many ways in which technology has drastically improved our lives. Below are just some of the ways in which technology can be used as a force for good.
Staying connected
Social media gets a bad rap, but it has helped many people to stay connected to friends and relatives who they might otherwise lose touch with. Some of us don’t use this to its full advantage – it’s always worth considering the friends and relatives who may be living alone and who may benefit from you reaching out to them. This could be a good friend you haven’t heard from in a while or a close relative who you haven’t seen in a long time. Beyond social media there are other ways in which technology can keep us connected, including encouraging physical social interaction (such as party game apps, karaoke games and collaborative video games).
Improving your health and wellbeing
Technology can help to improve our health and wellbeing in many different ways. Fitness apps and dieting apps can help many people to pursue health goals and stay motivated by tracking progress. When it comes to illnesses and conditions, there are all kinds of apps out there that can help including apps to keep track of pills, apps to help find foods that don’t contain allergens and apps that can help us to beat mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Various gadgets can also improve our health and wellbeing such as smartwatches, while other gadgets can help protect us from dangers such as digital ear plugs. Some of the top bionics companies are also finding new ways to help people overcome disabilities such as exoskeletons to help paraplegic people to walk again. Instead of blaming tech addiction for making us unhealthy and depressed, many of us could benefit from embracing these types of technology.
Learning new things
While the internet can be used to spread misinformation, there is a lot of genuinely helpful advice and information out there too. Used correctly, the internet can be a tool for building new skills and building one’s knowledge. There are many sites and apps that can help you to learn new languages, learn musical instruments, learn crafts and even learn everyday skills such as cooking and communicating. The internet has also opened up the ability to study courses from home – allowing people to more easily gain qualifications while juggling commitments such as raising kids and working. If you’ve always wanted to build new skills and develop new qualifications, the internet can make it happen. You no longer have to give up time and money in order to learn new things – there are many free and flexible resources out there to embrace.
Expressing creativity
Digital technology has not stunted creativity – if anything, it has opened up new possibilities. Things like music production, videography and animation are now much more accessible due to development of home software that anyone can use. It’s also much easier to share your creative endeavours and get noticed. If you’ve always wanted to write a book and become a published author, you can now easily and cheaply publish your own e-book. If you’ve always wanted to be a journalist or write about your passions, you can start your own blog. If you’ve always wanted to record a song and share it with the world, you can now record and produce it in your bedroom and share it online. Such creative outlets can be great for mental health.
Category: WebTags: smart technology
