GCSE Computer Science (OCR)

Topic Summaries

COMPUTER SYSTEMS: Impact of technology on society

Ethical, legal, cultural, environmental impacts

  • Ethical issues: concerned with what is considered right or wrong in the use and development of technology, even if it is legal.
    • Companies tracking online activity can improve services and personalisation but raise concerns about consent, transparency, and exploitation of user data. 
    • AI replacing jobs may increase efficiency and reduce costs, but can lead to unemployment, de-skilling, and the need to rehire or retrain workers later.
    • Facial recognition technology in public spaces can improve security and crime prevention but risks loss of anonymity, bias in algorithms, and racial profiling. 
    • Automation and decision-making by algorithms raise ethical questions about accountability when systems make mistakes.
  • Legal issues: concerned with what is allowed or prohibited by law to protect individuals, organisations, and data.
    • Copying music, films, or games illegally (piracy) breaches copyright law and denies creators fair payment. 
    • Hacking into systems is illegal under computer misuse laws and can result in data theft, fraud, or system damage.
    • Misusing personal data can breach data protection laws, such as collecting data without permission or sharing it unlawfully. 
    • Laws also regulate acceptable online behaviour, including cybercrime, online harassment, and fraud. 
  • Cultural issues: concerned with how technology changes communication, work, lifestyles, and values across different societies. 
    • Social media influences global culture by spreading trends, language, and ideas quickly across countries.
    • Technology can widen the digital divide, where people in poorer or rural areas have limited access to devices or the internet. 
    • Increased screen time can change daily habits, reducing face-to-face interaction and affecting health and wellbeing.
    • Remote working and online learning can change traditional working and educational cultures.
  • Environmental issues: concerned with technology’s sustainability and impact on the natural environment. 
    • E-waste from old computers, phones, and tablets can cause pollution if not recycled properly. 
    • Data centres consume large amounts of electricity, contributing to carbon emissions if powered by non-renewable energy. 
    • Mining rare metals for device components can damage ecosystems and use significant energy and water resources.

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