Section 4.2 Effects of Technology

Technology is created and used by people, and human choices shape how it affects others.

When a new technology is adopted, it often changes how people complete tasks by making some actions easier, faster, or more convenient, which sometimes changes habits and expectations.

A new technology can have both beneficial and harmful effects depending on the user, the situation, and what the person values. The same person may view an effect as beneficial in one context and harmful in another.

Advances in technology can increase creativity and capabilities in many fields (e.g., medicine, engineering, communication, and the arts). They can also create risks when tools are misused to cause harm, when people over-rely on outputs without checking accuracy, when misinformation spreads faster or seems more believable, or when unequal access limits opportunities and widens gaps in education, jobs, or services.

Digital tools are often used in ways their creators did not intend, especially when users adapt features for new goals or when the tool spreads to new contexts.

Technologies can have impacts beyond their intended use because they can change people’s behavior, what information is shared, and who has access to opportunities or influence.

As technologies spread, they can also create unequal impacts. The digital divide refers to differences in access to computing devices and the Internet based on socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic factors.

The digital divide affects both groups and individuals by shaping who can participate fully in digital spaces and benefit from technology. It can be affected by the actions of individuals, organizations, and governments.

Because impacts can be uneven, responsible developers consider who may be unable to access or use the technology and who may be negatively affected by its design or use. They design features and supports to reduce barriers to access, usability, and participation.

Developers cannot predict every future use of a tool or system, especially once it is widely shared. However, they can anticipate likely risks, test with real users, and update the system over time as new impacts appear.

Technology tools can have effects beyond their main purpose. When many people use a tool, its features can reshape habits, relationships, and opportunities in ways that were not planned or predicted. Recognizing these broader effects helps people make more informed choices about how they use a tool and helps developers revise designs more responsibly.