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AQA 8525 · Section 3.7 · Impact of Technology

Cultural
Impacts

Work · Communication · Entertainment · Community · Cyberbullying

CSZoneAQA GCSE Computer Science 8525
Changing How We Work

Technology and Employment

Remote working — technology enables work from home via video calls, cloud apps, VPNs. Reduces commuting, improves work-life balance but can blur boundaries.
Automation — robots and AI replace manual/repetitive jobs (manufacturing, data entry). Creates new tech jobs but may leave lower-skilled workers unemployed.
Gig economy — platforms like Uber/Deliveroo enable flexible work but workers lack employment rights and security
New job roles — cybersecurity analyst, data scientist, app developer, social media manager — jobs that didn't exist 20 years ago
Communication and Community

Social and Cultural Changes

Positive: Social media and messaging apps connect people globally. Online communities form around shared interests. Breaking news spreads instantly. Long-distance relationships maintained.
Negative: Cyberbullying via social media causes significant mental health harm. Fake news spreads faster than corrections. Filter bubbles reinforce existing beliefs. Social media addiction.
Cyberbullying: harassment online that is pervasive — victim cannot escape by going home. Platforms have a responsibility to act on reports.
Entertainment and Leisure

How Technology Changed Fun

Streaming — Netflix, Spotify, YouTube. Music/film consumed on demand. Killed physical media (CDs, DVDs). Artists earn less per stream than per album sold.
Gaming — online multiplayer connects players worldwide. Esports is a profession. Concerns about addiction and loot boxes targeting young people.
Content creation — anyone can publish to YouTube, TikTok, Twitch. New careers: influencer, streamer, podcaster.
Education — e-learning, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) make education globally accessible
Exam Practice

Have a go at this question

AQA-style question
Describe one positive and one negative cultural impact of social media.
2 marks
Positive: social media connects people globally, allowing communities to form around shared interests regardless of physical distance [1]. Negative: social media enables cyberbullying, allowing harassment to follow victims into their homes and causing serious mental health harm [1].
Key Takeaways

What to Remember

Work: remote working, automation, gig economy, new tech jobs
Communication: global connections but also cyberbullying, fake news, filter bubbles
Entertainment: streaming replaced physical media; content creation is now a career
Always give both sides (positive and negative) in impact questions