unit 8 - impacts of digital technology Flashcards
(45 cards)
what are mobile technologies?
- older mobile phones
- smartphones
- tablets
- laptops
what are the benefit of mobile technologies?
- they’re useful in an emergency
- devices allow people to work whilst travelling
what is internet addiction and what causes this?
- many users become addicted to social networks because they are constantly available via mobile devices
- software is designed with features that makes people want to use it more `
why are people becoming more anti-social due to mobile technologies?
- people spend a large time talking to friends online but not enough in real life ⇒ this leads to social difficulties and an inability to understand social cues and subtle facial experiences
what are autonomous vehicles?
fully automated vehicles that replace the need for a driver
what are the advantages of autonomous vehicles?
- reduces the cost for commercial vehicles as no need for a driver
- no need to own a car, as cars can move themselves to different people - reduces total number of cars
- potentially safer as computers can react faster and learn from all previous accidents worldwide
what are the advantages of autonomous vehicles?
- ethical questions - if an accident occurs, whose fault is it?
- many who drive for a living will lose their jobs
what is an example of autonomous vehicles in use?
amazon fulfilment:
- amazon have warehouses with all their products
- autonomous robots move products on shelves => makes finding and picking products more efficient
how are computers used healthcare?
- in the form of health apps which offers long-term, continous monitoring => helps manage diabetes, epilepsy etc
what are some examples of wireless technology?
- VR headsets
- exoskeletons to allow people to work safely or to aid them in strenuous work
how are computer based implants used in healthcare?
- pacemakers control ireegular heart rhythm
- cochlear implants restore hearing for deaf people
- brain implants linked to exoskeletons to help people walk
how has wireless networking impacted us?
- they allow very fast mobile broadband that is co parable to wired internet connections => 4G, 5G and wifi
what is the digital divide and who does it often impact?
- the difference between those who have technology and those who don’t have access to technology, especially regarding: internet connection speed, mobile phone signal and a 4G signal
- often affects the elderly, those in poverty and rural areas
how has wireless networking helped those who work remotely?
- allows them to work wherever they want and whenever they want
- its much cheaper and easier than a wired network
what is the lifecycle of a smartphone?
1) mining for raw materials
2) manufacture
3) purchase and use
4) recycling centre
5) reprocessing plant
what environmental damage can the process of making a smartphone have?
- mining raw materials leads to contamination and erosion
- plastics damage the environment if not recycled
- gas and coal are needed to power factories => non-renewable
- diesel is needed to transport raw materials, parts and the final product
why does technology have such a large environmental impact?
all devices contain non-renewable resources (like plastic, steel, aluminium and copper) that are non-renewable
what is e-waste?
discarded electronic appliances such as mobile phones, computers, and televisions.
what are the problems with lithium batteries when recycling?
they need to be taken apart carefully because they could easily explode and cause a devastating fire
what is an example of ways that tech can improve to lessen e-waste?
fairphone:
- modular phone designed so that the user can replace the parts in it => changeable rear camera and battery
- phone lasts longer and creates less waste
what are the advantages of fairphone?
- designed for easy use and to be long lasting
- responsibly sourced materials
- good working comditions for people who make the phone
what is cloud storage?
- date stored in data centres which are connected to the internet
- data can be accessed from any device, anywhere where internet is available
what are the advantages of cloud storage?
- large quantity of storage available
- data/files can be easily shared with others
- reduced need/cost for secondary storage on each device
what are the disadvantages of cloud storage?
- security risks - must be able to trust the cloud provider
- reliable/ fast internet connection required
- data privacy issues
- lots of energy/natural resources required to run data centres
