--- title: "Information age characteristics and unmasking social problems" subject: "Technology, Environment and Society" chapter: 1 key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:info-age-unmask-problems" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/info-age-unmask-problems site: BCT Engineering --- # Information age characteristics and unmasking social problems Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 1: Technology - Asked in: 2080 Bhadra, 4+4 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/info-age-unmask-problems - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-1 ## Question Describe the characteristics of information age. Justify the technology plays an important role to unmask old social problems. ## Short answer The information age, from about the 1970s, makes information and knowledge processed by computers and the internet the main sources of wealth. Its characteristics include digital technology, knowledge workers, globalisation and fast change. Technology unmasks hidden social problems like gender bias, inequality, corruption and caste discrimination. ## Answer #### Characteristics of the information age The **information age** (from about the 1970s) is the period in which information and knowledge, processed and shared by computers and the internet, are the main sources of production, power and wealth. - **Information as key resource:** knowledge, data and ideas create wealth more than land or machines. - **Digital technology:** computers, internet, mobile phones, cloud, AI. - **Knowledge workers:** most jobs need education and ICT skills. - **Globalisation:** instant worldwide communication, global markets and e-commerce. - **Networked, flat organisations:** decentralised decision making, remote and flexible work. - **Fast change:** short product life, continuous learning needed. - **Service-based economy:** IT, banking, education, entertainment dominate. - **New problems:** digital divide, cyber crime, privacy loss, information overload. #### Technology unmasks old social problems Technology does not always create new problems; it often makes **existing hidden problems visible**. 1. **Gender bias:** ultrasound, introduced for prenatal care, was misused for sex-selective abortion, exposing deep son preference. 2. **Inequality:** online classes during COVID-19 exposed that poor and rural students lacked devices, internet and electricity. 3. **Corruption:** e-procurement, CCTV and social media expose bribery and misuse of public funds. 4. **Caste discrimination:** new public services (water taps, schools) exposed untouchability practices still present. 5. **Unemployment:** mechanisation exposed the lack of skills in the workforce and drove foreign migration. 6. **Violence and abuse:** mobile phones let victims report domestic violence that was earlier hidden. These examples justify that technology acts like a mirror, revealing the weaknesses of a society so that laws, awareness and policy can address them. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What defines the information age? A. Land and machines as the main source of wealth B. Steam engines and coal C. Information and knowledge processed by computers and the internet are the main sources of production, power and wealth D. Mass production of standard goods Answer: C. The information age, from about the 1970s, is based on information and digital technology. (Key point: Information age) 2. Which is a characteristic of the information age? A. Hierarchical centralised factories B. Networked flat organisations with remote and flexible work C. Mainly agricultural economy D. Slow change and fixed skills Answer: B. It features flat organisations, knowledge workers, globalisation, fast change and a service economy. (Key point: Characteristics) 3. How does technology expose corruption? A. It creates corruption B. It hides bribery C. It has no effect D. E-procurement, CCTV and social media expose bribery and misuse of public funds Answer: D. These tools make previously hidden corruption visible. (Key point: Corruption) 4. Why is technology compared to a mirror? A. It reflects the weaknesses of society so that laws, awareness and policy can address them B. It copies other technologies C. It makes problems disappear D. It is shiny Answer: A. Technology reveals existing problems, which can then be addressed by laws, awareness and policy. 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