¶ … technology have been leading to transformations in the way people are interacting with each other. This is taking place, through various stakeholders using these tools to effectively communicate and collaborate. As a result, a new digital society has emerged. This means that there are both benefits and drawbacks that will have an impact upon how everyone is connecting with one another. To understand the long-term impact of these changes, a comparison was conducted surrounding the merits and demerits of these transformations. The results are that this is creating new opportunities and challenges that must be addressed in the future. Over the last several decades, advancements in technology have led to a major shift in daily life. This is because a host of solutions are being used to provide everyone with different products and services. The impact is that everyone has changed how they are interacting with others and staying informed. Evidence of this can be seen with a study that was conducted by Ropke (2001) who said, "Technological changes are continually integrated with the current practices. This transformation is occurring in everyday life more profoundly and thus influences the social environment in the long run." These views are showing how advancements in technology have altered the way everyone is interacting with each other. (Ropke, 2001, pg. 403)

As a result, a new kind of digital life has emerged that allows someone to connect with various parties using a host of solutions to include: cell phones, text messages, emails, social networking and chat rooms. The combination of these factors is allowing individuals to more effectively interact with each other. However, in spite of these transformations, there are a number of benefits and drawbacks. To fully understand what is taking place requires comparing these areas with each other. Once this takes place, is when specific insights will be provided highlighting the impact of digital life on every day activities.

The Benefits of a Digital Life

Obviously, advancements in technology have created a lifestyle that is focused on someone using IT solutions regularly. This means that they will utilize the Internet to effectively connect with: friends, family, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. In the last few years, the advancements in technology have created a transformation in how they are interacting with others using a host of devices including: mobile devices, tablets, TVs, laptops / notebooks and PCs. As a result, everyone is more effectively communicating and cooperating with each other on a regular basis. (Cullen, 2001, pp. 311 -- 320)

This has improved the overall quality of life for most individuals. The reason why is because a wide variety of solutions are available at lower costs (with more products available). This is making it affordable for everyone to use these tools in order to increase their opportunities. (Cullen, 2001, pp. 311 -- 320)

Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Becker (2010), who found that the digital lifestyle is, "Transforming the nation into a critical digital hub, where everyone can compete more effectively for jobs, improve their health, find key government services and manage their finances." This is improving the overall quality of life for vast demographics of society. (Becker, 2010, pg. 10) (Cullen, 2001, pp. 311 -- 320)

A good example of this can be seen with employment and job related information. In the past, most people would often look for new opportunities in locations such as: the unemployment office or want ads. Yet, advancements in technology have changed the way someone is looking for a job. According to a study that was conducted by Becker, 68% of job applicants were submitting their information online to potential employers. Moreover, 76% of all respondent were using the Internet as a way to search for new job opportunities and employment. (Becker, 2010, pp. 1 -- 10) (Cullen, 2001, pp. 311 -- 320)

This is showing how digital life is providing everyone with the tools to more effectively achieve a host of objectives. Once this takes place, is when there is a transformation in the quality of life for the individual (with technology playing a central role). It is at this point that it will be easier to focus their efforts by having a digital perspective. (Becker, 2010, pp. 1 -- 10) (Cullen, 2001, pp. 311 -- 320)

These benefits are showing how this lifestyle is allowing everyone to concentrate their efforts on addressing a host of challenges. This is when they will be more effective in connecting...

Over the course of time, this will lead to an improvement in their quality of life and the way they are connecting with everyone. (Becker, 2010, pp. 1 -- 10) (Cullen, 2001, pp. 311 -- 320)
The Drawbacks of Digital Life

Despite the benefits of having a digital lifestyle there are a number disadvantages. The biggest one is the lack of privacy. This is occurring through a host of tools being used to track and monitor the actions of the person. Evidence of this can be seen with observations from Gantz (2010) who said, "The airwaves, telephone circuits, and computer cables are buzzing. Digital information surrounds us. We see digital bits on our new HDTVs, listen to them over the Internet, and create new ones ourselves every time we take a picture with our digital cameras. Then we email them to friends and family and create more digital bits. There's no secret here. YouTube, a company that didn't exist just a few years ago, hosts 100 million video streams a day. Experts say more than a billion songs a day are shared over the Internet in MP3 format. London's 200 traffic surveillance cameras send 64 trillion bits a day to the command data center. Chevron's CIO says his company accumulates data at the rate of 2 terabytes 17,592,000,000,000 bits a day." (Gantz, 2010, pg. 59)

This is showing how there is less privacy available to everyone. The reason why is because, there is increased monitoring of individual activities. In some cases, this will occur through tracking these activities for entertainment purposes and marketing specific products to consumers (such as: digital music). While at the same time, these actions are monitored carefully to protect the general public and provide increased amounts of security. As a result, the loss of privacy is troubling due to the fact that it is challenging how: the Constitution is interpreted and applied. (Gantz, 2010, pp. 59-71)

A second drawback associated with digital life is the flash mob. This is where individuals who share a common interest will communicate about an event, place and a particular time (utilizing social networking along with text messaging). The impact is select groups or individuals, can have an effect on the way organizations are responding to their demands. This occurs by letting everyone know about a particular event that will be taking place in the future. Once various individuals begin converging on an area, is when the mob can be effective in making their point. (Nicholson, 2005, pp. 37 -- 48)

A good example of this occurred in Egypt during 2011. What happened is the majority of people were opposed to the dictatorship the country had endured (under Hosni Mubarak for 30 years). The problem is that most attempts to take control of power were met with a swift response from authorities. Moreover, organizing was often difficult with officials breaking up any kind of gatherings early. (McNamee, 2012, pp. 150 -- 156) (Byman, 2012, pp. 25 -- 24)

In 2011, the changes in technology meant that everyone was communicating with each other more about these issues on the Internet and over their mobile phones. This established a virtual community that shared a common interest. During the uprising, is when this technology coordinated the times and places mass protests would occur. Furthermore, it highlighted the atrocities and abuses that were committed by authorities. This helped to bring attention to the situation in Egypt and the plight of protestors (who were arrested or killed). Once this occurred, is when the international community began applying pressure for Mubarak to step down and allow for a democratically elected government to take his place. (McNamee, 2012, pp. 150 -- 156) (Byman, 2012, pp. 25 -- 24)

On the surface, this provided everyone with tremendous benefits and it allowed them to have one voice. Yet, at the same time this set the stage for more radical elements to take advantage of these transformations. The most notable is the Muslim Brotherhood. They are a radical Islamic party that is focused on restoring more traditional Muslim values to Egyptian society. The problem is that they are the most organized and used this platform as a way to become stronger. (McNamee, 2012, pp. 150 -- 156) (Byman, 2012, pp. 25 -- 24)

In the aftermath of these events, this is giving them an advantage over others by using digital technology to connect with a wide variety of stakeholders. As a result, officials from this party could take power and begin implementing more radical polices that are directed at the West and their ally Israel. When this…