Pros and Cons of Information Technology (2024)

Last Updated on March 3, 2021 by Filip Poutintsev

Information technology’s impact is adverse in both the business world and our society in general. By definition, information technology is the use of systems, specifically computers, and telecommunications, for storing, retrieving and sending information.

Pros and Cons of Information Technology (1)We are living in the information age and are constantly dependent on every area within our lives with information technology. It is now a part of our everyday lives and has greatly impacted our society.

Technology is not only rapidly changing, but it’s changing so fast that most of us don’t even recognize these changes. We take most of it for granted and consider it the norm.

Many people have yet to realize just how rapid and profound the current digital revolution is, or how quickly it’s breaking down old institutions.

According to stats by statista.com, Over 3.8 billion people use the internet today, which is 40% of the world’s population. 8 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2020. More than 570 new websites are created every minute. There are over 3.5 billion searches per day on Google.

Table of Contents

  • Pros of Information Technology
    • Globalization and Cultural Gap
    • Increases Production
    • Communication Benefits
    • Better Accounting
    • Credit Cards And Smart Cards Make Payment Safer
    • Facilitates for better education
    • Job Opportunities
  • Cons of Information Technology
    • Loss of communication skills
    • Internet Security Issues
    • Faulty Products And Duplication
    • Anonymity and Fake Personas
    • Cyber-Sickness/Health Problems
    • Over-Dependence On Information Technology
    • Domination culture
    • Social Depersonalization
    • Job losses

Pros of Information Technology

Globalization and Cultural Gap

It’s where the “WORLD” is now. Information Technology has bought the whole world on one screen, allowing its economy to become a single interdependent system. Sharing information is only one part of it, we can cut off the distance, language and landscape differences including any aspects and make it possible to deal with many international and internal affairs.

We are not only confined to do business and share information between the places connected with us, but can discuss with all genders and age groups of different places having different languages to get the global point of view, or global visualization and apply the best possible solutions and adapt to the global changes in financial or economic world. Where the world that seemed so so big, this technology has played its vital role in connecting and bringing the masses together.

Increases Production

IT provides different facilities in different areas of business and its production. It helps to handle the larger number of clients and their orders in a systematic and database manner.

It can be implemented for recording the previous agreement as proof in the future as well as can be shown to the client for confirmation. No middle man is required as the contract or detailing can directly be cross-checked or discussed with the authorized personnel.

Also, some times there will be the handling of larger data which even has the threat of human error with a large number of employees sharing the same information to get it done correctly.

Whereas, the computer programs provided by “IT” resolves the problem with zero percent error and even increases the working capability and speeds the completion rate.

Saves Time & Money

Business in today’s world means competition, competition & competition. Its priorities are the investors & the client’s satisfaction. In both cases feedback are necessary, both parties should be able to give their views and complains and especially these problems should be handled as soon as it’s detected.

Delay, in any case, is intolerable for the benefit of the company. Here we don’t need to send our employees to the client’s area or go and talk to the distributor. We can just message them and talk about the issue. As well as the client should be informed that the issue is going to be solved as it is in process.

In this way clients, satisfaction is maintained. Delivering the order to the client has been more efficient from the third country with the help of distributors and clients can know about the products with the company itself. Here the manpower is not required for the product to reach the third country or to the client’s home, it’s just how you manage the channel.

A decrease in manpower in and outside the company is definitely going to save a huge sum for the company which can be used for advanced machinery setup.

Communication Benefits

Communication itself is a very vital component in any aspect of life. After we all are connected it’s necessary that we communicate. We can also know the nature and the behavior of the person we are going to deal with.

Video conferencing and messenger chat has brought many benefits in today’s world. Programs like email, fax, mobile phones are useful to convey information data among employees, clients, suppliers, throughout internal and external structures.

Information Technology has made communication cheaper, quicker and more efficient. It improves and keeps tact the client-customer relationship for the future with records.

Improves Data Storage, File Management, And Data Analysis

Secure maintenance of customer and company files is vital to the integrity of the company. Information technology advantage comes from the ability to store unlimited amounts of information securely, in compliance with regulations, but easily accessible and shareable by properly authorized persons.

Information is protected from unauthorized access, can be backed-up and restored in the event of a disaster affecting the organization. As a result, IT gives businesses the peace of mind that the information they collect and analyze can be properly stored and safeguarded for future use.

Better Accounting

Software for accounting like Bookkeeper etc performs various accounting related tasks that are required in business. A less experienced person can work on balancing accounts as the software is well equipped to fulfill most of the work.

It allows for faster processing and calculation of financial information and the recording or storing of financial data that may need to be referenced in the future. Therefore, when used as a strategic investment rather than as a means to an end, IT provides organizations with the tools they need to properly evaluate the market and to implement strategies needed for a competitive edge.

Credit Cards And Smart Cards Make Payment Safer

Buying and selling of goods and services have become simple through smartcards. Today, it is effortless to withdraw money or make a purchase using a Credit card or smartphone with a simple tap; this saves customers from wasting time lining up in banks or from carrying a lot of cash.

This makes a huge amount to transfer to clients account safer, many deals could be breakthrough the single click. This transaction saves time for both parties and is often safer, as companies like Paypal allow for buy protection and refunds.

Also, Read – Pros and Cons of Credit Cards

Facilitates for better education

The use of educational video games and puzzles has increased student’s interest in learning. Based on research, students enjoy learning with technology, many schools have started providing free internet on the school campus, this helps students do research and learn on their own.

The use of internet technology has opened institutional boundaries. Students from developing countries now have a chance to study their desired courses at a standard similar in some cases to first-world education institutions. This type of education increases their likelihood of employment international.

Job Opportunities

Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware, and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.

Modern Technology has been prominent in job role creation and the emergence of technology-based companies. With access to a computer and the internet, anyone can start a business while at home. Most successful technology-based ventures like Apple, Amazon or Facebook, to mention but a few, started from home but now they employ thousands of people.

Cons of Information Technology

Loss of communication skills

The parents are becoming more worried about their children, as they prefer to stay in the room using all the gadgets rather than going and taking part in social activities and socialize.

It seems the traditional communication skills will be lost, emails and instant messaging have replaced the old tradition of handwritten letters. And although this is advantageous because of time constraints, personal touch and sense of feeling is lost compared to taking the time to sit down and handwrite a letter.

Now the world has omitted the word empathy and the comparison and complain have taken over the hearts of people. This worry is particularly about those who often engage themselves in the websites because communication and interactive skills are not important with computers.

Internet Security Issues

We share our information with all the sites we are using without any hesitation. We don’t even have time to think those data are being stored somewhere, and without any second thought, we share our personal information.

This can be harmful if we are dealing with professional hackers, and the threat arises for our family. In the professional environment, the personal data of the management, intellectual properties, bank records, vendor information, and many more, the hackers may distribute the companies data to the internet or sell the data to the rival companies or use the data to destroy the images of the companies.

Faulty Products And Duplication

We expect to get what we see, but when we are doing our online business, not all shopping websites provide the exchange of the product we purchase. On delivery, we notice that the product is not up to our expectations.

No refund and no exchange is available in some cases and we feel like being cheated. So we need to be more aware and serious about choosing to work on genuine websites and products.

Anonymity and Fake Personas

Digital technology provides wide scope for users to hide their identities. Studies show that people are much more likely to behave antisocially if they don’t think that there will be any consequences.

Bullying, trolling, stalking, threatening, and insulting behavior have all increased dramatically with the rise of the internet. People assume fake personas for the purposes of scamming and defrauding. Pedophiles use fake personas to gain access and befriend children.

Cyber-Sickness/Health Problems

With the increased addiction to social networks and internet games, people are spending more time on computers and reject their normal offline life, resulting in increased isolation and social imbalance.

Research has shown that technology can cause a number of problems with a person’s health. Many scientists, doctors, and researchers are concerned about possible links between technology and heart problems, eye strain, obesity, muscle problems, and deafness.

Waste emitted from technology can pollute the environment which not only makes people ill, it also damages the environment.

Over-Dependence On Information Technology

A lot of people believe that because computers and the Internet have become such a regular part of modern life, some people particularly children who grow up with it, will not be able to function without it.

Some people think that the Internet is making people lazy, particularly when it comes to essay or project research as instead of reading books in a library, one can just perform a Google search.

Students no longer take time to solve equations and research topics, all they do is a query in google or on a calculator, poof the answer. Without these devices, they would not know how to achieve the same results in a library or on paper.

Domination culture

On one hand, where the whole world is globalized, it has helped one culture dominates another weaker one. Where the tradition, religious beliefs, and lifestyle has been changed due to the influence of movies, songs, etc. For example, it is now argued that the US influences how most young teenagers all over the world now act, dress and behave.

Languages too have become overshadowed, with English becoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else. Our own language and culture are the aspects which make us who we are and losing it is never a good thing. So it’s therefore down to people to retain their identity or cultural identity.

Social Depersonalization

People are feeling alone when the population is 7 billion. Let alone the lonely survivors but people are feeling alone when there are people to care for them. Even in a social context, everyone and everywhere people share their feelings on social media, where communicating in social media with even human is not the same as doing it live.

People shop online, do their banking online, pay bills online, and increasingly work online. You can see that some companies are now using the automated phone answering machine despite the live receptionists.

The old material world of a car that badly needs repairs, the sudden smell of rain and a provocative look of someone cool in the elevator, is also there. Such simultaneous habitation in two worlds—real and cyber—blurs reality and virtuality, confusing real self and virtual self.

Job losses

Technology in an organization, company or business, the number of hours that human works at that company are reduced. This may even result in some people losing their jobs because technology is doing it for them.

It means that the employees need to continue their learning process if they want to secure their job in the future. While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has also created job redundancies, downsizing, and outsourcing.

This means that a lot of lower and middle-level jobs have been done away by causing more people to become unemployed. Many business experts consider that advanced technology especially the internet has created such insecurity on human jobs.

This fact of the disadvantages of IT/IS has been around since the introduction of all technology and one must not forget that life is a continuous learning cycle and that you must adhere to it or be left behind.

Pros and Cons of Information Technology (2)

Pros and Cons of Information Technology (2024)

FAQs

What are the pros and cons of information technology? ›

Is the IT Industry a Good Career Path?
  • Pro: Jobs in the IT Industry are Well Paid. ...
  • Con: Jobs in the IT Industry are Stressful. ...
  • Pro: Jobs in IT Provide Great Job Security. ...
  • Con: Other People. ...
  • Pro & Con: Time Management. ...
  • Pro & Con: Constant Learning. ...
  • Takeaway.

What are the pros and cons of using ICT question answer? ›

Cons of using technology are:
  • Privacy: Your information on phone or emails can be hacked.
  • Cybercrime: Crimes like cyber bullying, phishing, identity theft, cyber stalking etc.
  • Reliability of Information: Any information on internet is not reliable.
27 Apr 2021

What are the pros and cons of Information Technology How does information technology affect today's businesses? ›

When considering implementing new technology into your business, consider the pros and cons before you jump in.
  • Pro: Streamline Activities and Automation. Technology has helped businesses streamline their processes. ...
  • Con: Losses or Nefarious Activity. ...
  • Pro: Helps Workforce. ...
  • Con: Distractions Affect Productivity.

What are the pros and cons of using information and communication technology? ›

Receive information in a more timely and efficient manner. Communication is enabled and facilitated.
...
Cons of Using ICT :
  • Chargers, credit cards, and mobile phones are all available at Coast.
  • Mobile phone theft.
  • Usage barriers of education and literacy.
  • Dissection of data.
  • Using deceptive phone calls to commit fraud.
4 May 2019

What are the pros and cons of technology essay? ›

Pros and Cons of Technological Development
  • Increased Production.
  • Easily Accessible. Technology has made our life very easy. ...
  • Increased Job Opportunities. ...
  • Better Communication. ...
  • Different Learning Methods. ...
  • A Social Divide. ...
  • Make People Lazy.
  • Can be a Distraction.

What are pros and cons examples? ›

Example Sentences

There are pros and cons to having children. I'm weighing the pros and cons of moving to another state. The pros and cons of using a laptop for work are debatable. The pros and cons of taking a day off work are clear. There are pros and cons to every decision we make in life.

How do you use pros and cons? ›

Weighing up pros and cons is a quick, simple way to make objective, considered decisions. Quantifying options helps you to weigh up your decision. In a "Pros" column, write down all of the possible benefits of following the course of action, and all the possible negative outcomes in the "Cons" column.

What are benefits of information technology? ›

Let's look at the advantages of IT as they affect your business.
  • Increased Data Security. ...
  • Information Technology Can Help Your Business Save Money. ...
  • Information Technology Benefits Communication. ...
  • Improved Productivity. ...
  • A Wider Talent Net is One of the Biggest Advantages of Information Technology.
4 Feb 2021

What are the 5 disadvantages of information technology? ›

17 Digital Technology Disadvantages
  • Data Security.
  • Crime and Terrorism.
  • Complexity.
  • Privacy Concerns.
  • Social Disconnect.
  • Work Overload.
  • Digital Media Manipulation.
  • Job Insecurity.
5 Jan 2022

What are the pros and cons of technology in the workplace? ›

The primary drawbacks include dependency, the constant need to upgrade and possible negative effects on workplace relationships. While the benefits include, but are not limited to, changing communication, increasing efficiency and motivating employees.

What is the difference between pros and cons? ›

What is a pros and cons list? Pros and cons list is a simple but powerful decision-making tool used to help understand both sides of an argument. Pros are listed as arguments in favor of making a particular decision or action. Cons are arguments against it.

What are the pros and cons of social media? ›

Pros & Cons of Social Media
ProsCons
Put yourself out there in a good wayPosting inappropriate statuses/pictures
Connect with students in other educational systemsMaking people feel bad about themselves
Make new friends/communicate or connect with old friends/familyCyberbullying
15 more rows

What is the good and bad effect of technology? ›

What are the effects of technology? It has both positive and negative effect. Some of them are increasing satisfaction, better communication channels, eliminating geographical boundaries and some negatives are obesity, health issues, sleep problems, etc.

What are the disadvantage of IT field? ›

There are all sorts of IT jobs, but most of them have one thing in common: They involve working long hours. If you want to work in IT, you better be prepared to work nights and weekends.

What are the 10 disadvantages of computer technology? ›

Below is given a list of many of the disadvantages of a computer and described what kind of problem you may face.
  • Too much sitting. ...
  • Carpal tunnel and eye strain. ...
  • Short attention span and too much multitasking. ...
  • Potential of loss of privacy. ...
  • Can limit learning and create a dependency. ...
  • Time sink and lots of distractions.

What are it advantages and disadvantages? ›

As nouns, the difference between disadvantage and advantage is that disadvantage is a weakness or undesirable characteristic; a con while the advantage is any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or any desired end.

Which is positive pros or cons? ›

When weighing options, we use “pros” to describe positives while using cons to describe negatives. The idiom “pro and con” compares the advantages and disadvantages of something with the intention to aid in the decision-making process.

Which is negative pros or cons? ›

The phrase 'pros and cons' is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase pro et contra, 'for and against', where “pros” are for the plus points and “cons” are the negative ones. It has been in use in the abbreviated form since the 16th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

What is a good pros and cons topic? ›

Possible topics for Pros and Cons include:
  • Assisted suicide should be legalised.
  • Junk food should be banned.
  • All schools should be co-ed.
  • Homework should be banned.
  • Song lyrics should be censored.
  • The monarchy should be abolished.
  • Children should have their own phones.
  • Everyone should have a pet.

What are the effects of information technology to the society? ›

People can talk or share information with their loved ones easily even if they are very far away from them. Improved Education and learning process: Technology enhances the education and learning process. Nowadays, people can easily enhance their knowledge using the internet.

What are the negative effects of technology on students? ›

Negative effects.
  • Lower attention span. Teachers, parents, and students themselves find that technology can have a direct impact on attention spans. ...
  • Increased risk and lack of privacy. ...
  • Risk of depression. ...
  • Obesity. ...
  • Falling grades. ...
  • Bullying. ...
  • Social interaction issues.
3 Oct 2019

Is pros positive and cons negative? ›

Yes, the two terms imply the same. 'Pros and cons' comes from Latin pro et contra meaning 'for and against'. It actually means 'the positive and negative aspects of an argument'. I would add that "advantages and disadvantages" is probably more formal that "pros and cons".

What is another word for pros and cons? ›

What is another word for pros and cons?
advantages and disadvantagesfors and againsts
highlights and challengesmerits and demerits
opportunities and obstaclespluses and minuses
positive and negative consequencespositive and negative points
positive negative effectsreasons to support and oppose
9 more rows

Why is information important? ›

Good information, it is believed, improves decision making, enhances efficiency and provides a competitive edge to the organization which knows more than the opposition.

Why is information technology important essay? ›

Information technology is very much crucial in our daily lives. We use various technologies to perform our daily tasks. For instance, we use computers for office work, the internet for communication and social networking, ATMs for banking etc. IT has made our lives easier and more convenient.

What are the 10 benefits of information technology in education? ›

Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
  • Provides A More Engaged Learning Environment. ...
  • Prepares Students for the Future. ...
  • Connects Better with Students. ...
  • Boosts Collaboration. ...
  • Supports Learning. ...
  • Gamified Learning. ...
  • Virtual Field Trips. ...
  • Create Student Websites.
29 Oct 2021

What are the five benefits of information technology? ›

In this post, we discuss 5 of the top benefits of information technology courses, which you may not have considered.
  • Be better at your job. ...
  • Earn more money. ...
  • Make more connections. ...
  • Expand your knowledge. ...
  • Modernize your skills.
9 Jan 2022

What are the five benefits of information systems? ›

Other advantages of information systems
  • operational efficiencies.
  • cost reductions.
  • supply of information to decision-makers.
  • better customer service.
  • continuous availability of the systems.
  • growth in communication capabilities and methods.

What are the pros of technology in communication? ›

Speed: Time is no longer an issue in communication, a call, text message, emails are just a few buttons away. Clarity: With high megapixel images and video, and high quality audio systems clarity in communication has helped improved the quality of one's conversation.

What are the benefits of information technology in business? ›

Here are some benefits of technology solutions for business.
  • Improved Business Agility. ...
  • Improved Staff Coordination and Collaboration. ...
  • Automation and Productivity. ...
  • Increased Revenue Streams. ...
  • Better Storage Solutions. ...
  • Financial Savings. ...
  • Improved Data Security. ...
  • Better Customer Experience.

How do you make a pros and cons chart? ›

On side of the "T," write the word "Pros." On the other side, write "Cons." Then, at the very top of the page, above the chart, write the decision you're considering. For example, a pros and cons list about accepting a job might read, "Accepting Position With Parakeet Inc." Alternatively, create two separate lists.

What's the meaning of cons? ›

a disadvantage or a reason for not doing something: One of the cons of buying a bigger car is that it costs more to run. You have to weigh up all the pros and cons of the matter before you make a decision.

What are the advantages of IT information technology? ›

Improved Productivity

Instant access to files. Immediate feedback on collaborative projects. Videoconferencing and real time communication. Project management tools.

What are IT advantages and disadvantages? ›

As nouns, the difference between disadvantage and advantage is that disadvantage is a weakness or undesirable characteristic; a con while the advantage is any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or any desired end.

What are the pros of using IT? ›

IT affords companies the ability to store, share, and backup files for later use, as well as protecting information from unauthorized individuals. As a result, IT gives businesses the peace of mind that the information they collect and analyze can be properly stored and safeguarded for future use.

What is the importance of information? ›

Good information, it is believed, improves decision making, enhances efficiency and provides a competitive edge to the organization which knows more than the opposition.

Why is information technology important for students? ›

Technology provides students with easy-to-access information, accelerated learning, and fun opportunities to practice what they learn. It enables students to explore new subjects and deepen their understanding of difficult concepts, particularly in STEM.

What are the 10 advantages and disadvantages of computer? ›

Now a day's computer has vital role in human life. One of the most advantages of computer is its incredible speed, which helps human to finish their task in few seconds. Cost/ Stores huge – Amount of knowledge it's a coffee cost solution. Person can save huge data within a coffee budget.

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