How Can Technology Affect Social Inequality?
1. Helping to Reduce Social Inequality:
Access to Information: Technology, especially the internet, gives people a lot of information. By 2021, 93% of homes in Britain had internet access. This allows people from all backgrounds to learn online, which can help those who may not have had the same opportunities before.
Learning and Skill Development: Websites like Coursera and Khan Academy offer free or cheap classes. Research shows that 60% of people who take these online courses feel their chances of getting a job improve.
Job Creation: The tech industry is a major source of jobs. In the UK, the digital economy added £150 billion to the economy in 2020, showing how technology helps create new work opportunities.
2. Making Social Inequality Worse:
Digital Divide: Even though many people have internet access, there are still big gaps. In 2020, 17% of the lowest-income households didn’t have internet compared to just 1% of the highest-income households. This gap can make it harder for some people to succeed in school and work.
Job Losses: Machines and artificial intelligence (AI) can take over many jobs, especially in fields like manufacturing and retail. A report mentioned that about 1.5 million jobs in the UK could be at risk because of automation, and lower-income workers are often affected the most.
Cost of Technology: Phones and computers can help people connect and learn. However, they can be too expensive for many low-income families. In the UK, a smartphone can cost around £600, which can make existing inequalities even worse.
Conclusion:
Technology can help close gaps by improving access to education and job opportunities. But it can also make inequalities bigger through issues like internet access, job losses, and high costs. Understanding both of these effects is important for studying how society changes.
How Can Technology Affect Social Inequality?
1. Helping to Reduce Social Inequality:
Access to Information: Technology, especially the internet, gives people a lot of information. By 2021, 93% of homes in Britain had internet access. This allows people from all backgrounds to learn online, which can help those who may not have had the same opportunities before.
Learning and Skill Development: Websites like Coursera and Khan Academy offer free or cheap classes. Research shows that 60% of people who take these online courses feel their chances of getting a job improve.
Job Creation: The tech industry is a major source of jobs. In the UK, the digital economy added £150 billion to the economy in 2020, showing how technology helps create new work opportunities.
2. Making Social Inequality Worse:
Digital Divide: Even though many people have internet access, there are still big gaps. In 2020, 17% of the lowest-income households didn’t have internet compared to just 1% of the highest-income households. This gap can make it harder for some people to succeed in school and work.
Job Losses: Machines and artificial intelligence (AI) can take over many jobs, especially in fields like manufacturing and retail. A report mentioned that about 1.5 million jobs in the UK could be at risk because of automation, and lower-income workers are often affected the most.
Cost of Technology: Phones and computers can help people connect and learn. However, they can be too expensive for many low-income families. In the UK, a smartphone can cost around £600, which can make existing inequalities even worse.
Conclusion:
Technology can help close gaps by improving access to education and job opportunities. But it can also make inequalities bigger through issues like internet access, job losses, and high costs. Understanding both of these effects is important for studying how society changes.