As the world is digitalized as never before, computers have become an indispensable part of our lives. Over the last decades, with their introduction, humans could simplify everyday life, hence, increased productivity. Computers have also become an essential source of fun as people can access enjoyable activities at a lower cost than before. Humans are currently too dependent on computers due to the all-inclusive benefits that will put humans in a disadvantageous position in a competitive economy if given up.
Humans are dependent on computers because it provides them with a historic opportunity to improve their lives. Currently, the vast majority of adults and adolescents worldwide use computers for study and work. This trend is no wonder given that computers allow people to complete tasks faster and more efficiently. For instance, nowadays, individuals do not have to carry a pile of books or paper documents which can get lost at any time. Instead, people can access as many as 100 files at any time without carrying them all the way. Apart from information access (45.8%), humans also rely on computers in virtual dating (5.8%), computer games (22.3%), online gambling (14.1%), and cybersex (1.2%) (Starodubtseva 189). Hence, although doing things alternatively, that is, completing tasks without computers would be possible, it is highly inefficient and requires much human physical, cognitive, and financial resources.
Given the abovementioned benefits, humans became dependent on computers as every aspect of everyday life currently depends on computers. Humans cannot refuse to use computers since doing so would put an individual in a disadvantageous position whereby they would have to spend more time and resources than their peers to complete a task. Thus, to stay competitive as the rest of society, individuals have to rely on computers eventually.
To conclude, individuals in this highly competitive, globalized, and digitalized society are dependent on computers more than ever. Although humans can continue to implement their daily activities without computers, doing so is cost-inefficient, time-consuming, and would eventually posit them in a position where they would be holding behind the rest of society. Nevertheless, excessive dependence on computers is risky and should be mitigated as much as possible.
Work Cited
Starodubtseva, Yu. “Clinical Phenomenology of Adaptation Disorders in People with Computer Dependency.” Inter Collegas, vol. 5, no. 4, 2018, pp. 188–190. Web.