The role of ICTs in our current society: how to use them well?

Any massive technological transformation has an effect on society. The clearest example of this we have in the invention of farming and livestock tools and techniques, which led to our species from the hunter-gatherer stage to another in which cities began to appear and, in general, the seed of the civilization.

But not all the great transformations of this type took place thousands of years ago, when practically everything was to be invented. In recent years, inventions have appeared that have fully introduced us to a new paradigm: it is about ICT.

In this article We will see what ICTs are, what impact they have had on society at a psychological level, and how to make good use of these in ways that make life easier for us instead of complicating it.

• Related article: "Addiction to social networks: the abuse of the virtual"

What are ICT?

The acronyms ICT refer to the term Information and Communication Technologies, one of the most important elements of the development of humanity in recent decades, responsible much of the type of productive and social changes we have experienced since the middle of the century XX.

Although not so long ago these new technologies were used directly by only a few privileged, today they have hundreds of thousands of users in practically all countries, and their use is massive. Electronic devices such as smartphones are products used regularly even in the most humble families. and we are all, for better or for worse, influenced by what happens in that virtual reality that is the Internet, the network of networks.

And the thing is that if ICT has shown something, it is their ability to overflow those functions for which they were designed. Little did the first developers of ARPANet imagine that decades later its creation would be used so that everyone was capable of publishing videos with a potential audience of millions of viewers, to order food at home, or to flirt, among many others things.

How have new technologies changed us?

These are some of the aspects in which the emergence of ICTs in our lives has transformed society.

1. Experience of living in the Global Village

The term Global Village is used to refer to the phenomenon of perceiving as close events that may have actually occurred on the other side of the planet. With ICT, geographical boundaries are blurred, for better or for worse, and social phenomena such as fashions or waves of mobilization spread in a matter of hours.

2. Emergence of telework

It is becoming more and more common to work from home. In many ways, teamwork no longer has to be synonymous with being in an office, and as a consequence, the line that separates professional life from personal life is becoming increasingly blurred.

3. The social media fever

There is a kind of competition to see who gets the most attention through social networks; in fact, there are even companies that invest money to gain followers in these for simple branding reasons, not to increase their sales in the short or medium term.

Something similar happens with people of flesh and blood: Rewards are given to those who adopt a more marketable public profile, more similar to that of a company. And by imitation, the concept of "personal brand" gains strength even in those who have not set out to earn money through their presence on the Internet.

4. FOMO syndrome arises

The FOMO syndrome (Fear of Missing Out) leads hundreds of thousands of people to be constantly attentive to their mobile phones and their computers, since the idea of ​​missing news generates a discomfort significant. This is one of the mechanisms that produce dependence on new technologies. Which brings us to the next point.

• You may be interested in: "FOMO syndrome: feeling that the lives of others are more interesting"

5. Appearance of new addictions

With the development of ICT, new forms of addiction have appeared, and they have also done so starting with one of the most vulnerable demographic groups: young people. Behavior patterns such as spending many hours in a row playing online video games or not being able to have dinner without looking at the mobile screen are some of the warning signs, if they are part of the person's day-to-day life.

6. Cyber ​​militancy

Many people spend hours arguing with strangers on the Internet, something that is seen as a struggle that is sometimes purely political in nature, a kind of militancy.

This can lead people to feel anger on a regular basis, due to getting used to being exposed to virtual platforms in which there are people who think radically different from one same.

How to take advantage of ICT?

These are some practical tips to keep in mind to make good use of these technological tools.

1. Set very clear schedules

Losing track of time using social networks, watching Internet videos or playing video games is normal today.

Given this, you have to do everything possible to lead a lifestyle in which there is a certain discipline about what to do at all times. If you make a schedule and put it in a place that you usually have in sight, this simple element will make things easier for you, acting as a constant reminder.

2. Learn to hide what tempts you at key moments

Electronic devices linked to ICT are characterized by being designed to constantly attract our attention, and that can lead us to be unproductive.

So make sure that the places where you usually spend the most time doing tasks that require diligence and attention those distractions are not within your reach. For example, before entering your study room, leave your smartphone in another room and put on a wristwatch so you don't need to check the time.

3. Take advantage of the potential of social media to make friends

Instead of arguing with strangers, debate and talk to people with interests or hobbies similar to what you like. This can help you create meaningful friendships beyond the screens.

4. Contrast information

In the era of ICT there is more information than ever, but also more "infoxication" with wrong data, made-up news, etc. To really learn, and not limit yourself to absorbing content regardless of its quality, use several sources and never abandon the critical mindset.

5. Work your self esteem

Constant exposure to the world of social media filled with influencers with seemingly enviable lives can be a blow to self-esteem. The point is that these people They are famous precisely for knowing how to manage their public appearances very well, filtering all negative information about themselves and preventing them from reaching general knowledge.

Practice self-observation to check that the irrational thoughts based on these misleading comparisons are not affecting you too much. For example, keep a journal.

Do you want to have psychological support in the use of new technologies?

As we have seen, the use of ICT produces a significant level of discomfort in some people. Fortunately, before this it is possible to have professional help from the hand of psychologists. And it is that we are many psychotherapy professionals with an updated training to the new times and that we have experience when it comes to “training” our patients in the proper use of these resources technological.

If you are interested in gaining autonomy and well-being when using your smartphone, your computer or similar electronic devices, please contact us. On the PsicoTools psychology center We can offer you an intervention program adapted to your needs, personal characteristics and style of use of ICT. On this page You can see more information about us, as well as our contact information.

Bibliographic references:

• Bimber, B. (1998). The Internet and Political Transformation: Populism, Community, and Accelerated Pluralism. Polity. 31 (1): pp. 133 - 160.
• Cantoni, L., & Danowski, J.A. (Eds.). (2015). Communication and Technology. Berlin: From Gruyter Mouton.
• Gómez Mena, C. (2015). Internet addiction can destroy social relationships, specialist alerts. The Day. Society and Justice: Grupo Demos, Desarrollo de Medios, S.A. de C.V. p. 30.
• Hilbert, M. (2016). The bad news is that the digital access divide is here to stay: Domestically installed bandwidths among 172 countries for 1986–2014. Telecommunications Policy. 40 (6): pp. 567 - 581.