Ethical Dilemma - Chapter 7

Computer Technology and accessibility issues

Ethical Dilemma

So far in this chapter we have not paid any particular attention to the impact of ICT on older people – people who have previously lived in a fairly stable environment. Today the momentum of change (in which computer – based technologies play a pivotal role) is ever increasing. Consequently, older people are becoming ever more concerned and bewildered by the constant alterations that are occurring in practically every aspect of their daily lives. Stability is being replaced by instability. As younger people embrace e-mail, cellular phones, text messaging and the like, the older generations see their post offices closing, no longer is there any personal contact at the bank, and who knows for how much longer they will able to use a chequebook?

How do you perceive the ramifications of computer-based technologies and the current pace of change impacting on older people?

• It's alarming for those people who were not used to do things along with computers. Another impact is that with computers, people may learn how to become more tardy since everybody are dependent with computers. Hence for those people who were not used with computers will call for help from people who knows to operate the computer to do their tasks, since they were  not still familiar with it. This will generate inferiority to people who were not used with computers since their services as manual contractors will no longer be needed during the operational works because of computers.

To what extent are they becoming increasingly isolated?

• Definitely people who can't cope with the use of computer will be isolated. One main reason is that younger people of today's generation exceeds the learning capacity of the older ones in terms of computer manipulation. 

Is direct personal contact being gradually eroded?

• No, because there are limitations with computer. 

Perhaps discuss these issues with older person that you know, such as a family member. Identify the issues.

• Upon having a chat with the older ones, according to them one factor why we use computer is to make things easy, fast, efficient and comfortable for daily living. Just like communicating people through internet chatting which makes it more convenient for people abroad to keep in touch with their love ones.

Have these people gained as a consequence of the proliferation of and reliance we place upon computer- based technologies and the pace of change that has ensued?