The Digital Revolution refers to the sweeping changes brought about by digital computing and communication technology with the adoption and proliferation of digital computers in during the latter half of the 20th century and mobile computing devices in 21st century.
Digital transformation, with its many associated technologies, is arguably the most pervasive and rapid transformation that human society has seen. Nearly every aspect of human society, industry, organization, economy and politics has been or is being transformed by it. The effects of digitization are felt at all levels, from individuals, communities, societies to nation states. Governments, industry and civil society are all seeking to understand the impacts of this transformation.
Different ways the Digital Revolution has impacted Human well-being include, but not limited to are:
Human Development
Digital technologies likely affect aspects of human activity and behaviour that have been shown to be fundamental to human development, such as the way children are parented or the way they learn.
Mental Health
Most developed countries are facing a growing mental health burden reaching crisis proportions and emerging disproportionately in young people. It may be due in part to significant demographic changes and the changing social context in which we live, where expectations may not meet reality; the pace of life has increased Many of these issues seem to be directly or indirectly related to the impacts of digitalisation on individuals, the economy and society.
Societal Changes
Whereas the digital drivers of mental illness tend to operate at an individual level, there is equal concern about the impacts of the transformation on various collective groupings that can form within societies and affect social Social media has helped new groups and communities of interest to form and grow, but it has also enabled more polarised and entrenched views to take root, and among the groups that form are anti-social ones that take advantage of the dark web to build new collectives based on violent, anti-social, morally objectionable or illegal behaviours.
Security
Whether for individuals or groups, one emergent issue of personal and public security relates to the increasing potential for real and immediate impacts from various forms of virtual, online and remote surveillance. For instance, on one hand the concept of surveillance of public spaces may make people feel safer, but in practice is it also limiting personal freedom? Cyberbullying, and misuse of social media increasingly can polarize and fragment societies and threaten our sense of well being, especially if they spill over into real-world actions. Cyber Security has become significant aspect of security at all – national, organizational and individual level. Mobile Apps are the latest threat to security at individual level
Governance
The concept of governance includes democratic processes (e.g. public representation, electoral integrity, trusted public institutions, independent and reliable 4th estate) as well as fair and just delivery of government core services. While these two meanings of governance must be distinguished, they nonetheless both affect well being and are themselves affected by the impact of digital technologies. Cyber Security has become part of National Security. Cyber Security and its Present Status in India
While there have been huge benefits to society from the digital revolution, especially in terms of the accessibility of information, there are a number of concerns. Expanded powers of communication and information sharing, increased capabilities for existing technologies, and the advent of new technology brought with it many potential opportunities for exploitation.
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