What is an Information Society?
Nowadays, we live in an information society. This is an ecosystem conditioned by the available technology that allows rapid access to and diffusion of information. If we look around us, we’ll realize that technological development is everywhere.
These technological innovations are mainly related to information and communications technology. They have become a fundamental pillar in everything around us, starting with the educational field.
The origin of the term
The term information society has been used since the 1980s when the Internet was invented. Therefore, the term is linked to the transition from an industrial society to a post-industrial one dependent on constant information.
Thanks to information, human beings create knowledge that spreads to create even more knowledge.
Benefits of an information society
An information society has certain cultural, social, economic, and communication benefits. The existence of knowledge networks and the access to them means we have many sources of information available on any subject that interests us.
Additionally, the ease of sharing and spreading any type of content, as well as globalization, are producing a social revolution.
Limits of information societies
The development of an information society depends on a legal framework and an adequate regulation. If everything is regulated, these applications and services will be highly beneficial to society. However, if they’re not, technology may lead to impunity in our society.
On the other hand, this concept, which is continuously growing and changing, must avoid social fractures.
Many platforms are practically forcing people to use them. For example, there are more and more processes that can only be done online. Additionally, this digital gap has a large number of variants, such as the economy, geography, gender, etc.
Information societies as part of everyday life
Until a few years ago, information was just a concept. Later on, it started to become a possible option. Today, information is everywhere, especially in developed countries.
In the most developed countries, we take this concept for granted, since new generations are born in contexts ruled by technological innovation. Therefore, for them, it’s difficult to imagine a world where these tools don’t exist.
The result of this growth is a world full of technology that impairs social skills. Much of what is now in the screens used to be in people’s minds.
In the future, information societies will continue to develop. At first glance, this change may look promising, bringing about a higher level of sustainability, prosperity, liberty, and professional and personal development.
However, t he correct evolution of these societies depends on us and of the good use we give available technologies. We must be technologically responsible in order to have a better future.
