The Social Effects of Information Systems

1
The Social Effects of Information Systems

• Chapter 19
• Information Systems for You

2
Social Economic Effects of IT

• We are now in an Information Age and our
  society is very dependent on information storage
  and communication
• Many people are now using some form of
  information technology to help them.

3
Is Information Technology a Good Thing?
4
Arguments in Favour

• Mundane jobs are done by computers.
• Higher productivity enables people to work less
  hours.
• Other countries use IT, so we need to, to be
  competitive.
• Many things would be impossible without IT e.g.
  Air traffic control.
• New jobs have been created e.g. programmers and
  network managers etc.

5
Arguments Against

• Life without IT is slower and less stressful.
• Computers lead to higher unemployment.
• New jobs created by IT are only for highly
  skilled people
• People who did mundane jobs are now unemployed
• Privacy
• Gap between countries that can and cant afford
  IT.

6
Changing Employment Patterns

• Many manual tasks such as assembly work and paint
  spraying is now done by robots.
• Many industrial processes operate 24 hours a day.
• There are fewer paper based systems in offices.
• More and more people are working from home.
• Computers can be used to monitor performance of
  their users.
• Jobs are changing continually.

7
Identity Cards

• We already have driving licences that are credit
  card size with our photos on them.
• The Government is trying to introduce an Identity
  Card, which would hold personal information about
  the holder.

8
Big Brother is watching you

• The idea is to have cameras constantly scanning
  railway stations, shopping centres, and car parks
  etc.
• Is this crime prevention or an infringement on
  our own freedom?

9
Environmental, ethical, moral and social issues
10
Environmental Issues

• Reduced energy consumption
• Reduced wastage in industrial processes
• Saving trees
• Reducing car pollution

11
Ethical, moral and social issues

• Software theft
• Hacking
• Privacy
• Job losses

12
Cashless Society
13
Advantages

• More convenient
• Reduces risk of being robbed
• No queuing at the bank
• Allows people to pay for things at their own speed

14
Disadvantages

• Credit is normally only given to those who are
  working.
• People could spend more than they could afford.
• More information will be held about each
  individual.
• Harder to keep track of what you are spending.

15
Crime Prevention and Detection
16
Crime Prevention

• Speed Cameras
• Closed circuit cameras
• Tagging of offenders
• Tagging of bikes, cars and other property
• House security

17
Crime Detection

• Police National Computer
• National Criminal Intelligence System
• DNA profiling and fingerprinting
• Police departmental computers