Essay Communications | Pr5 Communication Technology Essay | David Bolger |

In the last 20 years there’s been a movement away from face-to-face meetings. Instead people and businesses are now advanced forms of Communication Technology. New communication Technologies have connected not only businesses but also people, changing the way we interact on a daily basis.

The phone call is one of the more basic methods of Communication Technology. Outside the last 20 years the procedure of calling someone on the phone is generally quite one dimensional. Dial the number, wait for an answer, speak to the receiver. Today however phone users can Skype call on phones, send and receive texts, pictures and email all from a small handheld device. Communication Technology is now becoming more and more portable and people have and expect constant access to the internet. The phone will continue to be a mainstay of Communication Technology. More and more functions are continually being incorporated and built around the core concept of the phone. One of the many dangers of this attention seeking device is the temptation to use it while driving a vehicle in a public place. Under Road Traffic Act 2006 it is illegal to use any handheld device which distracts the driver from driving the vehicle.

Communication Technology is less rigid and less inclined to conform to traditional standards (IE letter or telegram). With access to internet people can do shopping / banking / chat at any time they like. They can communicate with people on the other side of the world while everyone in their own country is asleep. New forms of Communication Technology can reduce organizational complexity. Communication Technology can be designed to fit any requirement of a particular organization. When information is well organized and access is easy, communication will improve between people and businesses.

With the newest form forms of cloud technology is extremely easy to store and back up important files. The service allows users to store data such as music and iOS applications on remote computer servers for download to multiple devices. For example if have a fast internet connection on my phone I can have access to my entire music collection on my home computer through iCloud and listen over the internet even though I do not have the music stored on my phone.

In the 2000s with wide breakthroughs in internet based technology internet based fraud planted roots in today’s societies. The intention behind this new crime was to defraud victims or to otherwise take advantage of them, for example by stealing personal information. Internet services can be used to present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, to conduct fraudulent transactions, or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme. Under the data protection act 1998, 2003 many of these aspects of internet crime are illegal and offenders can be prosecuted. The Acts state that information about you must be accurate only made available to those that should have it and only used for specified purposes. You have the right to access personal information relating to you and have any errors corrected or, in some cases, have the information erased. If your information is being held for the purposes of direct marketing, you can have your details removed. Data protection rights apply to information held on computer or in manual or paper files. If you suffer damage as a result of a breach of your data protection rights, you may sue for damages through the courts.

Under the data protection act when you give your personal details to an organisation or individual, they have a duty to keep these details private and safe. Data protection rights will help you to make sure that the information stored about you is factually correct, only available to those who should have it, and only used for stated purposes. However finding the offenders is not always easy when most of these criminals hide behind computer screens and can only be tracked by digital footprints.

There are also other risks involved with new Communication Technology. Recently a chain letter spread through Irish people's Facebook status’s, misleading users into believing that posting it on their profile will protect their privacy. The ‘’privacy notice’’ has been widely shared on Facebook but has previously been confirmed as a hoax with no legal status by experts in both the US and UK. It falsely claims that the firm’s stock market flotation earlier this year affects users’ rights ’’Facebook is now a publicly traded entity,” the chain letter says.’’ Unless you state otherwise, anyone can infringe on your right to privacy once you post to this site. “It is recommended that you and other members post a similar notice as this, or you may copy and paste this version’ ’It also claims that unless members copy and paste the notice onto their profile, their Facebook activity may be monitored by the United States government. This would be clear violation of the Data Protection Act in Ireland.

Under the Data Protection if you think that an organisation or individual may be holding some of your personal details, you can ask them to confirm this within 21 days. In the case of Facebook incident (previously mentioned) they can be asked not to use your personal details for purposes other than their main purpose – for example for marketing. You can do this by simply writing to the organisation or person holding your details and outlining your views. Within 40 days, they must do as you ask or explain why they will not do so.

While some might consider chain letters and status updates are the general silliness and annoyances that are expected when being a part of a social media user, however there are far more sinister aspects as to what can happen online. There are many hidden elements on the internet where you don’t necessarily know who you are talking to. In the recent case of Ciara Pugsley (15) who took her own life in August 2012 because of bullying incident on a Latvian based website ask.fm. Jonathan Pugsley (Ciara’s farther) described the site based as being ’’extremely sinister’’. The grieving father said he had been taken aback by some of the comments he had read about his daughter online before and after her death.

An employer has a duty to provide a safe and healthy work environment an employee to work within. In the case of using a computer for extended period of the day the employer should have a screen protector in place to protect against eye strain. Adequate is also necessary to protect the back from strain while using the computer or answering phones. An employer must also protect against work place bullying among various forms of ICT. Studies have shown that allowing employees to check social networking site for 10 minutes in the morning increases work place productivity and reduces stress among employees.

The Freedom of Information Act gives you the right to access records held by Government Departments and certain public bodies. You do not have to give a reason as to why you want to see any records. The Government Department or body must give you an explanation if you are not given what you ask for.

The Broadcasting Act 2009 sets the regulatory framework for broadcasting services in Ireland. It consolidates all Irish broadcasting content related legislation in a single Act. Other laws to take into account when considering Health and Safety Legislation. * Communication Regulation Act * Copyright and related rights * Amendment Act * Data Protection act * Freedom of Information act

Addiction to the modern forms of Communication Technology can be seen especially within the age group of 13-25. This can vary from constantly checking Facebook updates to checking out pictures of what your friends ate for dinner last night on instagram. I have personally noticed the incredible connect and disconnect that Communications technology has had among my classmates. Instead of awkward silences there is random phone checking and urgent phone business to attend to which avoids the awkward silence.

This is a common occurrence that I have personally experienced in today’s society. While this an obvious disconnect form face to face interaction or social awkwardness at the time, I have noticed constant interactions online among my classmates on the PR5 Facebook group page. This behaviour suggests two things, that people in that age group are either becoming less in favour of face to face interactions or just prefer the one of the many outlined reasons for using communication technology to communicate for whatever personal reason.

Conclusion
In conclusion there is a clear shift in societal interaction especially in younger generations from face to face to online and mobile methods. It is imperative that employers keep up to date with legislation to prevent various issues arising concerning new types of CT i.e. cyber bullying, eye and back strain and work related stress. Legislation will continue to play catch up to new forms CT top protect the public form the potential dangers. While these new systems of Communication Technology will continue to be developed, it would pointless for me argue a pro/con opinion with the aim of finding a clear outcome. However one now has the choice as to whether role with the punches and keep up with the pace technology advances or to just stick to what they know works, but entrepreneurs, organizations and the general public will continue to look for ways to become more efficient and productive for their business and personal needs.

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICloud http://www.independent.ie/national-news/dad-of-tragic-ciara-bullied-online-warns-other-parents-3247237.html http://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/A_guide_to_your_rights_-_Plain_English_Version/858.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology http://foi.gov.ie/what-is-foi