ICT: The Digital Era

Posted On: 2022-07-08 18:12:37

WHAT IS INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

ICT, also known as information and communication technology is the extensional term of Information technology that deals with the computer as well as the planning of software, middleware, storage, and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information. ICT is related to unifying audiovisuals and telephone networks with computer networks in a single link. It comprises communication devices, encompassing radio, television, cell phones, digital TVs, robots, smartwatches, computer and network hardware, and satellite systems. In addition to various services and appliances with systems such as video calling and distance learning. Online Crowdfunding platforms are created with help of ICT, which helps in raising funds for a cause.

 

 

IMPACT OF ICT IN TODAY'S ERA

The impact of ICT is major in this era as today’s era is also known as the digital era. It holds a major place in the day-to-day life of every individual. It has made mutual transactions and interactions simpler. Availability of the internet through ICT has made it easier for people to find information related to everything just by a couple of touches on their mobile phones, shopping online through web portals has benefitted the users. On average, an internet user spends around 6 hours and 30 minutes on the internet out of which more than 2 hours are on social media platforms.

 

 

The process of revolutionizing ICT is continuous and increasing at a tremendous speed. For example, when it first came into existence it was only used to make and receive phone calls, now with the help of Artificial Intelligence, the digital era is evolving every second. Not just day-to-day life but ICT has increased economic development. It has proved to be a boon for business growth in the form of cost savings, opportunities, and conveniences. Advertisement due to digital marketing and owning online domains is one of the many advantages to the new start-ups and businesses. These advertisements help in raising funds online through crowdfunding platforms.

 

 

63.2 % of the world population has access to the internet, with about 59% active internet users. Among these internet users, 4.28 billion are mobile phone users, the internet used through mobile phones is responsible for 50.2% of the web traffic. Laptops are accountable for 47.1% and tablets have 2.6% of the total traffic combined. Though ICT is used by every country currently, China has the lead in the global ICT market with almost 40% of the global users.

 

ADVANTAGES

1. Communication- One of the major benefits of ICT is in the field of communication. ICT has made it easier for people to communicate with each other through its technology. Instead of face-to-face time-consuming conversations, nowadays it is easier to pass on information through calls, texts, and emails.
2. Cost-effectiveness- The presence of ICT has proven to be cost-efficient as it makes it easier for the individual to perform certain tasks efficiently and at a reasonable cost. The examples can be considered of shopping online while comparing the prices from different sites and purchasing the product at the best price and within the budget from anywhere across the world. At the same time, ICT has automated classic business practices such as switching to digital advertisement and advertisement through social media from posters and billboards as the youth is the target audience.
3. Change in business structure- ICT has made it possible for businesses to be accessed 24/7 through their respective websites and voicemail services with the help of call centres. Due to the presence of these websites and their availability, individuals can access them from anywhere in the world. Also, due to ICT, online collaborations are possible, the manufacturing of goods and services is faster as well as at a broader scale, and altering business plans is made easier.
4. Creation of new Jobs- ICT has made a completely new sector in the world, due to the major use of ICT for various purposes employment in the IT fields has increased tremendously. The presence of this new sector has led to jobs such as web developers, graphic designers, data analysts, cybersecurity, hardware engineers, IT consultants, Social media marketing, Programmers and people in similar domains.
5. Education- The latest importance of ICT in education is proved to be in recent times of Covid 19 in the form of online learning where the student can learn from anywhere in the world. A student can learn about various things outside the classroom and syllabus through ICT. The learning is made creative which promotes high-order thinking. The fascination with technology by students motivates them to study. These are just some of the many advantages.
6. Crowdfunding- Before ICT, crowdfunding was performed offline through trusts or advertisements in newspapers. Due to ICT, it is now possible to perform crowdfunding through various online platforms where the donors can donate money to the cause they would like to contribute to despite being miles away. During offline crowdfunding, the individuals in need knock on doors and visit various trusts, waiting in long queues with their documents and asking for the required aid. But now, in a few simple steps, one can ask for help and the other person can help without even knowing personal knowledge or relation with the individual.

 

DISADVANTAGES

1. Privacy-Though ICT has made communication easier and efficient which saves our time but in turn, there is a risk of various privacy issues. There is the issue that most of the systems we use might save our data and that data can be sometimes hacked into and be misused. 
2. Misuse of technology- Though ICT has brought some prominent changes in today’s era the major issue with it is its misuse. Misuse such as illegal hacking where some people hack into your devices and steal your information. Another issue is Cyberbullying which consists of people targeting and criticizing some individual. 
3. Non-availability- The technology is almost everywhere but the problem faced is that though 63.2% of the world population has access to the internet, the other 36.8% do not have access to the internet which is the main component of ICT, and though 63.2% has access only 59% uses them as understanding and using technology takes time to learn.
4. Lack of Job security & unemployment- Through the presence of ICT has created ample job opportunities in today’s era, the same technology keeps on changing every day, which leads to the lack of security in these jobs as one needs to always keep studying about the latest updates in ICT as without the knowledge of these updates there is a risk of losing the job or not finding a new one. ICT has also created the issue of unemployment as machines are replacing manpower in various industries.
5. Reliance- The technology is useful but it is addictive as it makes ample things easily available to people. This addictiveness creates a negative impact on the brain and makes physical activity very little, making the person lazy and often bored. People prefer digital conversations instead of face-to-face conversations. Due to the various help by ICT people nowadays do not even try to remember their spellings instead, they are dependent on autocorrect or spell checker to check their spellings.
6. Barriers in Crowdfunding- Crowdfunding is the concept of collecting or donating funds for a particular cause. The internet through which online crowdfunding works is not available in every corner of the world and due to this, it becomes impossible for the indigent individuals in these places to ask for a particular aid. The benefit of crowdfunding is taken majorly by middle-class people due to this barrier. The lower class happens to experience the effect of crowdfunding only when the case is sensitive in the eyes of a particular hospital or by some NGO and they then reach crowdfunding platforms to save or raise money for the cause.

 

 

Due to the presence of ICT, it is possible for crowdfunding to take place on online platforms. At the same time, with the help of crowdfunding various ICT projects are funded. Some of the crowdfunding platforms solely work to support these technical ideas of young minds.  

Polaris: Smart tripod headed by BenroPolaris, a creator in LA, raised the amount of  2,465,268 dollars which was way above the target of 25,000 dollars set by him. This was a result of the extremely high-interest levels generated by the investors due to the uniqueness of the idea. 

Noveto Soundbeamer 1.0: Invisible headphone by Noveto Systems limited from Israel is an exceptional idea of technology where one can listen to music not only without disturbing others but also without any AirPods or headphones. This sound beamer beams the music directly to your ears through acoustic waves and beamforming. The project’s goal was 175,000 USD but due to the excellent product, it has already raised 211,894 USD.

This whole process of ICT helping Crowdfunding through various websites and crowdfunding helping in raising funds for various ICT projects is the highlighting point of today’s generation and how technology can be useful for everyone. 

 

 

With the digital revolution, many things have changed and are easily accessible. Crowdfunding has got a new face. Online crowdfunding is flourishing with time. Fundraising campaigns are known to more people today because of ICT. Filaantro is an online platform that supports any and every genuine cause. It has a user-friendly interface. The process of running the online fundraiser takes place with a few simple steps of registration and filling in details. 

Visit: filaantro.org to know more. 

Author: Lubdha Dhanopia