Ethical Dilemma 7

Ethical Dilemma 7

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?

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

Answer:  Technology nowadays is very rampant and faced a big consequence of the traditional approach on how people lived their lives especially those our elderly grandparents or even our parents. Computer-based technologies are widely used nowadays since technology plays a great role in the society. It makes all works easier but the older ones had great impact on this advancement because they are not used to this kind of technologies.

2.      To what extent are they becoming increasingly isolated?

Answer:  Not really as isolated because we are now in the technology age in which though some of older people cannot jive with it there are some oldies that can go with the flow, as what a telephone and internet provider advertise there is a techie grandmother who really loves using technology especially the internet. Though we cannot deny that these technologies are new to them but somehow they become aware of how technology runs during these days.

3.      Is direct personal contact being gradually eroded?

Answer:  Yes

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

Answer: There are really some issues regarding with the technology with the older people but it is not necessary that they are being isolated by the others. In their views they just don’t like what the teens are doing now with the technology. Some of the teens or younger ones are becoming so sluggish because of the technological advancements so they perceive technology as a bad factor for the youth, but somehow they are not against with it they just didn’t get easily or used easily with it.

5.      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?

Answer:  Yes.