According to a new study from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, access to information technology creates a feeling of wellbeing and happiness.
Now you’ve got to admit that sounds a bit bizarre when we hear and read about all sorts of problems surrounding technology such as Internet addiction and obsessive game playing, increased aggression, family dysfunction, online gambling, social isolation and the rest.
I have to say it’s kind of refreshing to hear some positive news about technology.
“Put simply, people with IT access are more satisfied with life, even when taking account of income” said social scientist Michael Wilmott, who is the author of the study.
“Our analysis suggests that IT has an enabling and empowering role in people’s lives by increasing their sense of freedom and control, which has a positive impact on wellbeing or happiness” said Mr Wilmott.
The study also found that access to technology had the biggest impact on both men and women on low incomes, or those who had a lower level of education and on women in developing countries.
“Our hypothesis is that women in developing countries benefit more because they are more socially constrained in society,” Paul Flatters of Trajectory Partnership told the BBC.
“The next phase of our research is to test that” added Mr Flatters.
Trajectory partnership carried out the survey called ‘The Information Dividend: Can IT make you happier?’ on behalf of the BCS. The survey included responses from over 35,000 people across the world.
So why did they commission the study?
“A lot of things that are written about IT are negative. But we were puzzled by the fact that people are attached to their IT as well – how do you square that circle?” said Mr Flatters.
The results of this survey imply that far from there being a negative aspect to technology, there is actually a personal and a social benefit in being connected, but then again most of us already knew that didn’t we.
‘The relationship between IT and happiness has not been well researched which is why the Institute commissioned this study. If we can enhance the understanding of the relationships in a way that leads to new and improved thinking, strategies or solutions then we will have helped a little,” said Elizabeth Sparrow, President of the BCS.
Interesting stuff!
