Social Implications Grade 11
The impact of technology on society — covering IoT, Big Data, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, cybercrime, and digital ethics.
Internet of Things (IoT)
A network of physical devices embedded with sensors and internet connectivity that collect and exchange data automatically.
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Smart home | Smart fridges, thermostats, security cameras |
| Connected cars | Real-time traffic, remote diagnostics |
| Healthcare | Remote patient monitoring, smart wearables |
| Agriculture | Soil sensors, weather monitoring for crop yields |
| Smart cities | Adaptive lighting, smart bins, traffic management |
Big Data
Extremely large and complex datasets that traditional software cannot handle. Characteristics: Volume, Velocity, Variety.
- Healthcare: track vitals, predict illnesses
- Marketing: personalised advertising
- Banking: fraud detection
- Risk: privacy erosion, data breaches, discrimination
Blockchain
A distributed digital ledger where data is stored in linked, tamper-resistant "blocks".
- Decentralised — no single owner
- Highly secure — changing one block breaks the chain
- Used for: cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), smart contracts, supply chain tracking
Digitalisation and the 4IR
| Effect | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | New IT-related jobs created | Many routine jobs automated away |
| Efficiency | Faster, more accurate processes | Over-reliance on technology |
| Access | Global connectivity and knowledge sharing | Digital divide widens |
| Privacy | Better security systems | Constant surveillance and data collection |
Cybercrime
| Crime | Description |
|---|---|
| Identity theft | Stealing personal info to commit fraud |
| Business data theft | Stealing company secrets or customer databases |
| Ransomware | Encrypting company data and demanding ransom |
| SQL Injection | Inserting malicious SQL into web forms to access databases |
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is getting ideas, content, services or funding by asking a large group of people (the "crowd"), usually online, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers. The internet makes it possible to reach huge numbers of contributors quickly.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Crowdfunding (raising money) | Kickstarter, BackaBuddy, GoFundMe |
| Knowledge / content | Wikipedia, Stack Overflow, OpenStreetMap |
| Reviews & ratings | Google Maps reviews, TripAdvisor |
| Problem solving / micro-tasks | Citizen-science projects, design competitions |
Benefit: taps into a wide range of skills and ideas cheaply and quickly. Risk: contributions may be inaccurate, biased or unverified.
Digital Footprint
The trail of data you leave online. Active: data you intentionally share (posts, forms). Passive: data collected without your knowledge (cookies, browsing history).
Implications: affects reputation, privacy, can be used by employers or cybercriminals.