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Technology and Social Ills: A Double-Edged Sword in Contemporary Society

Published
Pages 35-42
Views 203
Downloads 225

Authors

  • Davendra Sharma Lecturer and Course Coordinator. University Wide Programme and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Programme, University of Fiji Author

DOI

https://doi.org/10.55640/ijssll-05-10-06 ↗

Abstract

The rapid advancement of technology has become one of the most defining features of the twenty-first century, profoundly transforming the way individuals communicate, learn, work, and interact. While technology has brought unprecedented opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and connectivity, it has also generated a range of social challenges that question the ethical, psychological, and cultural foundations of modern life. This paper critically examines technology as a double-edged sword, an instrument of both social progress and moral disruption. It explores how technological innovations have improved access to education, healthcare, and global communication, while simultaneously contributing to social isolation, cyberbullying, addiction, misinformation, and erosion of interpersonal relationships. Drawing on sociological and psychological perspectives, the study investigates the interplay between digital dependency and the deterioration of traditional social structures, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy, ethical awareness, and responsible media use. Through a multidisciplinary lens, the paper analyses how human behaviour mediates technology’s impact, arguing that technology itself is not inherently harmful, but its misuse amplifies pre-existing social vulnerabilities. The discussion further highlights the implications of these trends for developing societies such as Fiji and other Pacific Island nations, where the digital divide and rapid modernization intersect with cultural change. Ultimately, the paper calls for a balanced approach that integrates innovation with social responsibility, urging policymakers, educators, and communities to promote ethical digital citizenship and sustainable technological engagement. In doing so, it reaffirms the need to harness technology’s transformative power for social good while mitigating its potential to deepen inequality and moral disconnection.

Keywords

Technology , Social Ills , Digital Literacy , Ethical Responsibility , Social Change , Fiji , Pacific Islands , Digital Society , Cyberculture , Moral Development

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References

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