INTRODUCTION TO THE

DIGITAL AGE
GECE 4 – JAJZ AXL MONCENILLA
The Digital Age is simply the time wherein
enormous amounts of information are made
available to many people through digital
computers. Initially, the underlying
technology used in the digital age was
invented in the later quarter of the 19th
century.
Origins of the Digital Age (1947-1969)
Transistors and integrated chips were created between the 1940s
and the late 1960s. Moore's Law predicts the pace of rise in
performance and size of integrated circuit chips, predicting that
the number of transistors in an IC would double every two years.
Based on this finding, it is projected that the manufacturing of
integrated circuits for electronic devices would increase year after
year. Moore's Law has been utilized as a roadmap for
semiconductor and electronics businesses' digital breakthroughs.
These electronic devices led the way to more advanced digital
computers.
Invention of the Internet and the Introduction
of Personal Computers (1969-1989)
Packet-switched networks were developed in the late 1960s to the early
1970s. This has brought the development of the Internet; wherein multiple
networks are joined to make a network of networks.
The 1970s is also the time in which home computers were introduced.
Home computers are more affordable than the computers used in
business and in the academe (scientific and engineering-oriented
computers). This implies that even if a 24 buyer lacks technological
understanding, they may obtain inexpensive computers. Computer
specialists anticipated at the time that digital technology has stealthily
crept into our lives and households.
Invention of the Internet and the Introduction
of Personal Computers (1969-1989)
In this era, semi-ubiquity has made their way into homes,
schools, and businesses. Automated teller machines and
industrial robots were used in banking & finance and in
fabrication companies; video games and electronic music
became popular with the youth; mobile phones and digital
cameras were used for communication and event recording
Invention of the World Wide Web (1989-
2005)
Tim-Berners Lee developed the World Wide Web in 1989. It
became open to the public in 1991. The internet swiftly grew
in popularity, and by 1999, every country had an internet
connection. In the 2000s, an increasing number of people
owned cell phones. Text messaging became a cultural
phenomenon at this time.
Social Media and Web 2.0 (2005-present)
In 2005, the population of the Internet reached 1 billion; in
2020 67% of the world’s population is connected to the
internet. Cloud computing has also entered the mainstream,
with hundreds of companies investing on cloud platform.
With the advent of smartphones come social media.
THE ICT AND ITS ROLE IN SOCIAL
CHANGE
Since the products of ICT is all around us, it is intuitive that
information technology influences our society. An
information society has ICT as the main driver of rapid
information growth. Through this information growth, there
are subsequent social changes. Social informatics focuses on
teaching the social issues of computing.
Theories in technology and social change
include the following:
• Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) - Advocates of SCOT
theory believe that technology does not determine human
action, rather, human action shapes technology.
• Social Shaping of Technology (SST) - Technology is not neutral,
according to this view, and is shaped by society's dominating
social, political, and economic values. As a result, shifts in values
result in various technological outputs, and social science
concerns can be utilized to shape technologies.
Social Media and Its Role in Social Change
Since the early 2000s, the usage of social media has grown
dramatically. Social networking sites such as Facebook and
Twitter, among others, were created in this time. Given the global
diversity of these social media sites, it is difficult to generalize
about their purpose, although they are focused on facilitating
social interaction networking, such as linking friends.
Nonetheless, the use of social media for societal change and
political activity has the potential to be essential since these
networks are built around key social communities and
relationships that may be used to affect society.
Social Media and Its Role in Social Change
Filipinos are declared as the most active users based on multiple
web-based social media sites, and the Philippines has been
dubbed as the “Social Media Capital of the World.” Social
networking in the Philippines has extensive uses, including:
• information dissemination
• promotion of e-commerce platforms
• as a form of electoral campaign
• as tools to aid criminal investigation, and more.
GLOBAL DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT
Research, development, and deployment of digital
technologies are important in sustainable development.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are
beneficial in the development of the society; its importance is
highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis wherein ICTs are
instrumental in keeping healthcare and economy afloat.
ICT Infrastructure for Digital
Development
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) facilitates the
improvement of telecommunication infrastructure in the
developing world. During the ongoing pandemic, there is
increased dependency on digital infrastructure and reliable
internet access. As countries impose social distancing measures, it
is important to have reliable internet access to go about our
normal lives. ITU calls for the improvement of the digital services
provided by telecommunications operators
MSMEs and ICTs
Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) make use of
digital technology in adapting with the difficulties brought by the
COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses use social media sites to
market their products; business owners also deal with
ecommerce, which is the facilitations of transactions through
online means. MSMEs are given a platform through digital
technology
Connecting Health Services for Public
Welfare
Through digital technology, we can connect health centers and
hospitals to their patients. This enables health services such as
telemedicine and remote diagnostics.
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
• Technological change (TC) refers to the total process of creating,
innovating, and disseminating technologies or processes.
technical advancement is based on the improvement and
expansion of technology. Technological change includes the
following:
Invention of Technologies
Finding new or breakthrough technology (including products and
processes) is included in product development. When modern
technologies are invented, they are patented. Utility patents are
done for new processes, machinery, articles of manufacture, and
others.
Commercialization or open-source release through
research and development (producing emerging
technologies)
Transitioning technologies from the research lab to the
marketplace is called technology commercialization. Getting a
patent or licensing an invention takes it into the market to create
financial value. R&D agreements between science institutions and
the industry provides research institutes with funding.
Meanwhile, open-source release allows a copyright holder to
grant users the right to use, study, change and distribute their
product. This occurs in open-source software.
Continuous technological improvement (often
resulting in lower costs)
Through technological innovation, previous versions of a product
are used as motivation to create new or better products. Research
and development take on the role of developing new services and
improving existing ones. Patents and other scientific
advancements are fueled by R&D, which leads to productive
growth in industries including manufacturing, medicine,
engineering, and government.
Technology dissemination throughout
industry or society
Technology dissemination or diffusion is the spread of technology
in the industry, and in the society. As an example, computers were
used in business settings such as office workstations; then,
personal computers have made its way into our homes. Normally,
the dissemination of technology involves disruption and
convergence: these are periods of success and stagnancy in the
adoption of technology.
SOCIAL EVOLUTION
Information Technology has the potential to promote social
empowerment and social transformation. IT has profoundly altered our
information and communication paradigms by allowing multiple ways for
communication and information flows that are easy and affordable.
Another major paradigmatic characteristic of IT is the ability for
asynchronous communication (i.e., emails in which both sender and
receiver need not be connected at the same time) and even synchronous
communication (through video conferencing, 5G communication, etc.).
Furthermore, digital information processing may assist in different work
and professions that were previously deemed unimaginable.
Indicators for Community
Empowerment (through ICT use) -
Social Capabilities strengthened
**adopted from Gigler, Bjorn-Soren
INFORMATIONAL DIMENSION
Objective Outcome Indicator

• information system strengthened

To improve access to information and • information flow within community
informational capabilities improved
• horizontal and vertical knowledge
exchanges with other communities
ORGANIZATIONAL DIMENSION
Objective Outcome Indicator

• transparent selection of leaders

To strengthen organizational capabilities
• increased efficiency
• improved information flow and
coordination among different
organization
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DIMENSION
Objective Outcome Indicator

• improved access to markets and

To promote economic opportunities
commercialization of products
• improve productive activities
through enhanced knowledge (i.e.,
better knowledge about agricultural
practices
• enhanced capacity to mobilize
resources from outside donors
POLITICAL PARTICIPATION DIMENSION
Objective Outcome Indicator
• improved ‘voice’ and participation in
development process
To improve participation in the political • improved transparency of political
system community institutions (e-government)
To enhance transparency within • enhanced information-based decision
community making through easier information
processing
• better coordination of political activities
in the community
• direct participation in government
activities
CULTURAL IDENTITY DIMENSION
Objective Outcome Indicator

• mainstreamed appreciation of
To strengthen the communities’ cultural
culture and tradition
identity
• improved dissemination of
communities’ own culture
ACTIVITY
1. Based on the discussions, how doe SCOT and SST differ?
2. List down the social media sites you use. What do you use it
for? How does it affect your lives daily?
3. Technological change is done in multiple stages. Explain how
computers have evolved through the stages of technological
change.