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

Tips on how to make good use of Information and Communication Technologies.

Every massive technological transformation has an effect on society. The clearest example of this can be seen in the invention of tools and techniques for cultivation and livestock breeding, which led our species from the hunter-gatherer stage to another in which cities and, in general, the seed of civilization began to appear.

But not all the great transformations of this type took place thousands of years ago, when practically everything had yet to be invented. In recent years, inventions have appeared that have introduced us fully into a new paradigm: ICTs.

In this article we will see what ICTs are, what impact they have had on society at the psychological level, and how to make good use of them. in such a way that they make our lives easier rather than more complicated.

What are ICTs?

The acronym ICT refers to the term Information and Communication Technologies, one of the most important elements in the development of humanity.one of the most important elements in the development of humanity in recent decades, responsible in large part for the type of productive and social changes we have experienced since the mid-twentieth century.

Although until not so long ago these new technologies were used directly only by a privileged few, 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 on a regular basis even in the most humble of families and we are all, for better or worse, influenced by what happens in the virtual reality that is the Internet, the network of networks.

If there is one thing that ICTs have demonstrated, it is their ability to go beyond the functions for which they were designed. Little could the first developers of the ARPANet have imagined that decades later their creation would be used to enable everyone to post videos with a potential audience of millions of viewers, to order food at home, or to flirt, among many other things.

How have new technologies changed us?

Here are some of the ways in which the irruption of ICTs into 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 in reality could have occurred on the other side of the planet. With ICTs, geographical boundaries are blurred, for better or for worse.social phenomena such as fads or waves of mobilization spread in a matter of hours.

2. Emergence of teleworking

Working from home is becoming increasingly common. In many ways, working in a team no longer has to be synonymous with being in an office, and as a consequence, the line between professional and private life is becoming increasingly blurred, the line between professional and personal life is becoming increasingly blurred..

3. Social networking fever

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

Something similar happens with real people: those who adopt a more marketable public profile, more similar to that of a company, are rewarded.. And by imitation, the concept of "personal branding" is gaining strength even in those who have not set out to earn money through their Internet presence.

4. The FOMO syndrome arises

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

5. Appearance of new addictions

With the development of ICTs, new forms of addiction have appeared, starting with one of the most vulnerable demographic groups: young people. Patterns of behavior such as spending many hours at a time playing video games online 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 daily life.

6. Cyber militancy

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

This can lead people to feel anger on a regular basis, as they get used to being exposed to virtual platforms where there are people who think in a radically different way from themselves.

How to take advantage of ICT?

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

1. Establish very clear schedules

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

In the face of this, we must do our best to lead a lifestyle in which there is a certain discipline about what to do at any given time.. If you make yourself a schedule and put it in a place that you usually have in sight, this simple element will make things easier, acting as a constant reminder.

2. Learn to hide the things that tempt 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 spend most of your time on tasks that require diligence and attention are not distractions that you can't see or hear. those distractions are not within your reach.. For example, before entering your study room, leave your smartphone in another room and put a wristwatch so you don't need to go check the time.

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

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

4. Contrast information

In the age of ICT there is more information than ever before, but also more "infoxication" - misinformation, fabricated news, and so on. on misinformation, fabricated news, etc. To really learn, and not just absorb content regardless of its quality, use several sources and never abandon a critical mindset.

5. Work on your self-esteem

Constant exposure to the world of social networks full of influencers with seemingly enviable lives can be a blow to self-esteem. The point is that these people are famous precisely because they know how to manage their public appearances very well, filtering out all negative information about themselves about themselves and preventing it from reaching the general public.

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

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

As we have seen, the use of ICTs produces a significant level of discomfort in some people. Fortunately, it is possible to get professional help from psychologists. There are many psychotherapy professionals with up-to-date training and experience in "training" our patients in the proper use of these technological resources.

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

Bibliographical 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: De Gruyter Mouton.
• Gómez Mena, C. (2015). Internet addiction can destroy social relationships, alerts specialist. La Jornada. 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.