What are Disadvantages of a Computer
Today, the Computer is used in every field and has made our
day to day tasks very easy but there are some advantages and disadvantages of
computers.
Today’s world is an information-rich world and it has become
a necessity for everyone to know about computers. A Computer is an electronic
data processing device, which accepts and stores data input, processes the data
input, and generates the output in a required format.
Although there are many advantages to using a computer,
there are also dangers and
disadvantages (like most things in life). Computers pose several potential
health concerns if
not used properly. Below is a list of many of the negative impacts of using
digital technology
and computers and what type of problems you may personally experience.
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What are the Disadvantages of a Computer
- Potential of loss of privacy
Privacy refers to the right of individuals to keep personal information
to themselves. Personal information like one's health problems, income sources,
spending habits, leisure activities etc. may be of interest to some firms as
they use it for business planning. Some firms may gather such personal
information and sell it to other firms.
As the computer can store a large amount of data and if you
store your personal data, or information on the computer, it can be at risk of
getting into the hands of others. Once your personal information has been
stolen by any malicious person, they can use the information to access your
online accounts or use identity theft to open other accounts, such as a new
debit or credit card under your name.
- Can limit learning and create a dependency
If you can remain focused, a computer with the Internet can
be one of the greatest tools in history to learn about anything. It's also easy
to become overly reliant on a computer and other electronic devices. For
example, a spell checker is a great tool for finding spelling errors. However,
if you never learn the proper spelling of a word and rely on a spell checker or
autocorrect, you're more likely to make spelling errors.
Other tools like grammar checkers, GPS, and calculators are
also extremely helpful. However, if you become too reliant on these tools, you
may be helpless when they're not available.
- Social Isolation and Lack of Interaction with Others
Ethics refers to the principles of right and wrong that the society
accepts over a period of time. These are used in judging behaviour of every
member of the society. Since information technology and information systems
cause massive changes in social and organizational spheres, they also cause
some social and ethical issues. For example, in organizations introduction of
information technology changes power structure. Some people lose the power due
to loss of control over data and information.
Similarly, the technology is misused for fraud, intruding
into privacy of individuals, business spying etc. The use of computers has led
to a decrease in face-to-face interaction with other people. This can lead to
social isolation and loneliness, as it is much easier and more convenient for
people to communicate through technology than it is for them to meet up in
person.
Also, people may become too reliant on computers for their
social needs and end up neglecting their real-life relationships. This can lead
to further isolation, as well as depression or anxiety.
Protecting intellectual property rights in digital economy is
very difficult. Violation of such intellectual property rights gives rise to
new issues in protecting intellectual property rights.
- Health Risks
Prolonged use of computers can cause physical discomfort and
lead to health issues.
Sitting in the same position for too long can cause back pain, neck strain, and
other musculoskeletal
problems. The computer keyboard is a cause for the occupational disease called
repetitive stress injury. A person who spends too much time on the computer can
face a problem like carpal tunnel syndrome as a computer requires a lot of
repetitive movement.
As you are required to move your body parts to operate the
computer, for example, typing and moving hand to the mouse are repetitive
actions that can cause injuries. Understanding computer ergonomics, keeping the
proper posture, and taking breaks can all help delay or prevent these injuries.
Also, staring at a computer screen for too long could lead to vision problems
like dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and eyestrain. Eyestrain,
techno-stress caused by computer use etc. are some health risks which the users
are exposed to.
Additionally, carpal tunnel syndrome is a common disorder experienced by people
who spend hours typing on their computers every day.
- IMPACT OF COMPUTER ON BUSINESS AND SOCIETY
Computer is the most wonderful and versatile tool ever invented
by man. Networking has added to its capabilities manifold. The Internet is the
most wonderful of all inventions in recent times. Yet computer is not an
unmixed blessing. It has its negative impact on individuals, organizations, the
society and for the whole world. Any new technology solves a few existing
problems and creates many new problems for the society. Computer is not an
exemption. Its deployment in homes and offices has given rise to many ethical,
social and security problems.
- Freedom in an Information Society
Individuals want to be left alone at home and workplace without
being subjected to any surveillance. Employers may intercept emails and other communication
by employees. The security systems of organizations often involve surveillance
or interference that violate the privacy of individual employees.
- Can limit learning and create a dependency
The Internet -based new technologies pose serious challenges
to individual privacy. Every Internet user is tracked without he or she being
aware of it. Software like cookies tracks the visitors to websites and their
surfing behaviour. The data are used for market research by business firms.
'Cookies' are pieces of special software that are stored on the
hard disk of the user's computer when he or she visits a site. The users might
feel they are not watched by anyone, but it is not true. The cookies gather
vital information about the user's surfing habits, online buying habits etc.
When they visit the same website next time, the cookies pass information about the
users. Cookies, thus, track the Internet users.
If you use a computer that has an Internet connection, it
can be a perfect place to get information about any topic. Getting knowledge
about anything makes you dependent on the computer and other electronic
devices. For example, to find spelling errors, an auto-correct or spell checker
is a perfect tool that offers the benefit of finding mistakes and make the
correct spelling of a word. However, if you always depend on the spell checker
or auto-correct tools and never learn the proper spelling of a word, you are
more likely to make spelling errors.
Also, there are many other helpful tools available, such as
GPS, grammar checkers, and calculators. However, you may be helpless when they
are not working if you are overly dependent on these tools.
Spamming is another serious challenge that every Internet user
faces and the threat is growing rapidly. It is the practice of sending
unsolicited emails for business promotion. It is nuisance for a user as the
mailbox gets filled with too many spam emails and a few email from his
contacts.
- Short attention span and too much multitasking
Today's almost all people have become hooked on instant
gratification with computers, computer devices, and the Internet. It has become
a reason to use a computer every day. As you surf the Internet on the computer
or computer devices and ask any question, it gives you immediate answers to
your questions that become habituated to getting quick dopamine fix.
You can get frustrated easily when you are not getting an
answer in a timely manner, or something does not work speedily.
Also, it is not uncommon to work on more than one task at
the same time with a reduced attention span. Because it has been studying that
multitasking is not more productive can be caused bad for your brain and more
mistakes in the work.
- Can reduce jobs
Computers can also become the reason to replace the need for
many jobs as they are more capable and smarter. For example, if a human can do
any work within one hour, the computer can do that work in very few times.
Thus, computers are reducing the requirement for many jobs that are also
becoming inappropriate for the future.
- Too much sitting
Too much of anything is bad, and too much sitting for a long
time and becoming a mouse potato can
lead to health problems. Also, substituting a traditional desk for a standing
desk is not a perfect
solution. Studies show that standing for long periods of time is not healthy
but is better than sitting.
The best solution is to take frequent breaks to move around, stretch, and
exercise.
- Increased Surveillance by Government Agencies
The use of computers has made it easier for government
agencies to conduct surveillance on citizens. This can include monitoring
emails, tracking internet usage, and collecting data from computer systems.
With the rise of technology, government agencies may be able
to access more personal information than ever before. This can lead to a lack
of privacy and an increased risk of identity theft.
Additionally, some governments may use this information to
their own benefit, such as suppressing freedom of speech or manipulating public
opinion.
- Dependency of Machines
We have become very dependent on machines and computers in
our everyday lives. We rely on them for tasks such as shopping, banking,
communication, entertainment, and learning. This dependency can be both a good
thing and a bad thing. On the one hand, machines help us with mundane tasks and
make our lives easier in certain ways.
- Quality of data and poor system performance
Software bugs and errors, hardware failures, poor input data
quality etc. affect the system performance. Large software packages contain
millions of lines of code and the package cannot be expected to be free of any
bugs or defects. If people expect the software to be infallible, who is to be
blamed for that: the software company or the operator or the user? Similarly poor
quality of input data may cause business system failure.
- Trolls, abuse, stalking, and exploitation
Anyone who has spent time on the Internet has encountered
trolls or abusive people, intentionally inflicting pain and suffering on
others. Unfortunately, with the anonymous nature of the Internet, it's easier
to encounter these people.
With more people sharing information on the Internet, it is
also easier for stalkers to find personal information about people and their
family. They can also use online services to find information about people. A
person who spends more time on the Internet can face abusive or trolls' people.
Over the years, another issue cyberbullying is also increasing speedily. Unfortunately,
it is much easier to encounter these types of people with the anonymous nature
of the Internet. With more and more people sharing information on the Internet,
you can be tracked on the Internet by hackers or unauthorized persons in terms
of stealing your personal information. There are also some online services
available that can be used by hackers to find information about people.
Finally, the Internet also makes it easier for those who
prey on others to find people to exploit. For safety tips, see: How to protect
yourself while on the Internet.
- You could become anti-social or depressed
With all the possibilities available on a computer, it is
easy to get obsessed to the point you become
anti-social. For example, many online games (e.g., World of Warcraft) are
designed to be addictive,
causing you to play the game more than being around others. Others may find
online shopping so
beneficial that they rarely go out to shop.
It is very easy for users to become anti-social with the
computer as it has the ability to perform
almost all work speedily. For example, if you are playing any game like World
of Warcraft or
other, they can consume too much time to end up. Also, there are many people
who mostly
depend on online shopping; they rarely go out to shop with others and that you
become easily
introvert.
Social networks can also be an escape from the real world by
socializing with friends and family
over social networks, like Facebook. Many studies are showing social network
sites can be
depressing because they only show all the good, fun, and interesting things
friends and family are
doing. It can result in people believing that other people's lives and
experiences are better than theirs.
- COMPUTER CRIMES
Computer crimes include theft of hardware and software as
well as willful destruction of data etc. They are illegal acts against computers
or telecommunication facilities using computers or telecommunications. They
include:
- Theft of hardware
- Theft of software
- Misuse of office computer for personal use
- Stealing and misusing password to access databases and sites without right to access them
- Intercepting and misusing credit card information
- Theft of corporate information
- Hacking or cracking systems and sites
- Hackers gain unauthorized access to computers and telecommunication facility for the fun of it like hacking into the NASA site.
- Crackers gain unauthorized access to systems and cause destruction to them. They may steal information, destroy data, pirate software or deny service.
- Internet Addiction
Symptoms of internet addiction include difficulty concentrating on other activities, withdrawal symptoms. When not online, and excessive use of the internet despite adverse consequences.
It can lead to social isolation, depression, financial problems, and even physical health issues.
Without treatment or moderation of the time spent online, computer addiction can be hard to overcome.
- Heavy Reliance in the Workforce
businesses as they heavily rely on the computer. They can lose valuable files permanently that
can have an effect for a long time.