Issues and Impact

• What are the main impacts of digital technology on society?

  Ethical, legal, and environmental impacts
• What does society include?

  Organizations and individuals
• How can society respond to changes caused by digital technology?

  Embrace, ignore, or put up barriers
• What do ethics concern?


  What is right and wrong
• What is the focus of this chapter?

  The impact of digital technology on society
• What areas related to the impact on society does the syllabus cover?

  • Environmental issues
  • Personal data
  • Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics
  • Intellectual property protection
• What areas related to security does the syllabus cover?

  • Security threats to digital systems
  • Methods of protecting digital systems and data
• What are the stages of the product life cycle that impact the environment?

  Manufacturing, replacement cycle, disposal
• What does energy consumption refer to in digital devices?

  Energy used when a device operates
• What happens to energy consumption when a device is turned on?

  It continues to use electricity
• What are some sources of electricity generation?

  Coal, solar, wind, nuclear
• What is the impact of large data centers on energy consumption?

  They require large amounts of power
• What is the environmental effect of storing data in the cloud?

  It requires power and affects the environment
• What is an example of a solar-powered data center?

  NEXTDC’s data center in Australia
• What must be extracted before manufacturing a digital device?

  Raw materials from the earth
• What are some raw materials needed for digital device manufacturing?

  Copper, silicon, mercury, gold, lead, plastic
• What can result from poorly managed raw material extraction?

  Soil erosion and water pollution
• What is the estimated oil usage by 2030 according to the International Energy Agency?

  113 million barrels per day
• What is often more energy-intensive, making or using a digital device?

  Making a digital device
• What are the environmental effects of energy production?

  • Pollution
  • Destruction of land
  • Subsidence
  • Noise
  • Energy consumption
  • Biological environment
  • Long-term supplies
• What happens to digital devices at the end of their life?

  They are often thrown away and landfilled
• What environmental issue arises from landfill disposal of digital devices?

  Chemicals leak into the soil
• What can happen when components are burned?

  Toxins can contaminate water supply
• What are alternatives to landfill and burning for digital devices?

  Components can be recycled
• Why do renewable energy sources still affect the environment?

  They can still produce waste and emissions.
• What happens to digital devices at the end of their life?

  They are often thrown away and landfilled.
• How do chemicals from landfilled devices impact the environment?

  They leak into soil and water supplies.
• What serious health issues can arise from contaminated water or soil?

  They can cause serious illness in people.
• What is the UK law regarding the disposal of digital equipment?

  It mandates recycling under WEEE regulations.
• What can happen to manufacturers who do not comply with WEEE regulations?

  They can be prosecuted.
• What is the WEEE Man made from?

  Electronic waste equivalent to one person.
• Why do people dismantle old computer equipment in poorer countries?

  To sell valuable metals like gold and copper.
• What is the average replacement cycle for a desktop computer in a school?

  5 years.
• How does a longer lifespan of digital equipment benefit consumers?

  It reduces replacement costs over time.
• What is the average replacement cycle for smartphones globally in 2020?

  33.6 months.
• What are some reasons consumers replace their smartphones?

  Technological improvements and upgrade deals.
• What factors have contributed to consumers keeping smartphones longer?

  Price increases and longer contracts.
• What was the average replacement cycle for smartphones in 2014?

  23.8 months.
• What is one reason businesses replace older equipment?

  Higher maintenance costs of older machines.
• How does replacing a desktop computer affect productivity?

  It can improve productivity by 6-12%.