Cause and Effect Essay

Joe Costa

Ms. Mckoy

English II

Block-4

November 15, 2013

                                                The Effects of Technology on People

            Technology has been growing and changing over the past century. Back then factories were run by people. Since there was not a lot of technology back then, a lot of people where active. Robotic devices have been taking peoples jobs. Technology has and still is today causing unhealthy behaviors like low self-esteem and depression. It also has been taking over peoples social lives. Unemployment, unhealthy effects like depression/ low self-esteem, and no social interaction, are the effects of technology on people.

            One of the effects of technology on people is unemployment. Technology is replacing people’s jobs in factories. In the article “Digital Library and Archives,” author Theodore Lewis states “companies are finding it possible, mainly because of enabling technologies, to lay off experienced workers” (Lewis 3). Technology is changing us and changing this nation in a negative way. Once people lose their jobs they are what you would call helpless. People used to work in car factories; however, robotic machines replaced those people’s jobs and therefore, caused unemployment. Technology has caused thousands of factories workers unemployment.

            Another effect of technology on people is unhealthy effects like depression/ low self-esteem. This is a wide spread effect that is going on today. It is proven that technology can cause depression and low self-esteem on people. In the article “How Technology Effects Americans Health,” author Alice Martin states that “Humans have begun to fall into the trance of a sluggish lifestyle; working, eating, watching TV, and sleeping. No wonder depression, low self esteems, and other mental ailments have arisen” (Martin 2). This basically means that people are consumed with technology that it is causing them to have depression and low self-esteem. Another health factor that technology is causing is obesity. In the article “How Technology Effects Americans Health,” author Alice Martin states that, “It has huge contributed to the obesity epidemic, particularly child obesity. In the past 25 years obesity rates in children have almost tripled. Approximately 26% of children between the ages of 2-17 are considered overweight or obese” (Martin 1).  Technology is destroying us and most importantly our health.

            Another effect that has on people is that there is no social interaction with people. Technology is taking over people and the gift of meeting someone and talking to them face to face. With all of the new technology and all the SNS (Social Network Sites) people talk to other people on the SNS sites all day. In the article “How Technology Effects Americans Health,” author Alice Martin states that “Social interaction is a fundamental human need” (Martin 2).  She also states that “people have begun isolating themselves with these devices; favoring technological entertainment over bonding with friends or family members” (Martin 2) Technology has isolated us; therefore, some people do not know how to socially interact with people, or they forgot the meaning of talking to people face to face.

            Technology has done many things to people. Some of those effects consist of unemployment, health issues such as low self-esteem and depression. Another effect of technology is that there is no social interaction with other people. Technology has affected millions of people in the U.S. positively and negatively. Most importantly, it has affected people negatively and it needs to be changed. People can make a difference by taking action, and informing people about what technology is doing to this country. It needs to be done.