The Advantages & Disadvantages of Communication Technology

Tuning into how to connect to colleagues, friends and family has become more intricate in the last decade than it has over the last 100 years. There are advantages to the technology that has come into place in order for you to talk, listen or connect with others in your circle of friends, levels of business or network of contemporaries. There are a few disadvantages as well to take into consideration when it comes to swiping left or right, up or down or otherwise engaging in the latest tech at your fingertips.

Communication Considerations

It’s so cliché to say that technology has changed the way everyone as a society communicates. The world can know about your latest meal, family outing or street vendor discovery through text, link and post. While this allows strangers to connect based on liking the same subjects and family to connect through shared experiences, it also opens doors for business opportunities. Head hunters or human resource personnel often look at social networks to determine if a candidate is the right fit for a company or position.

Advantages of Communication

Families can reach out after a significant cross-country move, the birth of a new baby or a job promotion to see the reaction of loved ones as they share the news virtually face-to-face on phone apps and web cams. It can also offer job opportunities for those who work remotely to increase their income significantly. The justice system in many states uses online communication to capture criminals and relate information that can save children in peril.

Disadvantages to Communication Technology

When you share information through photos, social media outlets and business websites, you are also sharing personal data that can create numerous problems. As technology advances, passwords become obsolete, and the photos of family with names and dates can be used to maneuver through the maze of security you have set up to protect your information, and allow hackers to access your information.

Financial Disadvantages

From passwords at big box chain store websites that hold your bank information to the online dog groomer that took your credit card for a one-time purchase, the communication that you have online can be disadvantageous to your overall financial and personal security. Changing your password on a regular basis, at least monthly, can protect you from identity theft. Monitoring your credit and bank statements can keep you in the clear from errant purchases that can lead to serious misuse of your bank and credit card funds.