World Telecommunication Day: The impact of technology on the Saudi family
The seventeenth of May each year marks the celebration of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, a global event aimed at raising awareness of the importance of communications and information technology and its growing role in building modern societies and promoting sustainable development, in addition to highlighting the impact of digital transformation on the lives of individuals and institutions around the world.
Roots and history of World Telecommunication Day
dates back World Telecommunication Day to the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 1865 and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris. Since 1969, the world has celebrated this day to commemorate the tremendous leaps humanity has made, from the telegraph to 5G networks and artificial intelligence. This historic development has not only transformed how we communicate but has also reshaped the global economy and the nature of human relationships, making the world a small, vast village connected in fractions of a second.
The overall impact of technology: from globalization to the Saudi vision
At the international and regional levels, communications play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide between countries, supporting innovation, and facilitating global trade and distance learning. Locally, the importance of this sector is evident in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which has established digital transformation as a cornerstone for economic diversification and improving quality of life. The Kingdom's robust digital infrastructure has proven its ability to adapt to modern changes, making Saudi Arabia a regional and global model for adopting emerging technologies and smart government services that have simplified the lives of citizens and residents.
Technology: Between making life easier and threatening family communication
In a field survey, several individuals expressed their opinions on this occasion. Murad bin Shihon emphasized the importance of regulating technology use in daily life, noting that its excessive use affects not only children but also adults. He explained that the true benefit lies in the ability to regulate its use correctly. He clarified that technology has become an integral part of everyone's life, without exception, and that its balanced use makes it a useful and excellent tool, while excessive use becomes a burden that can negatively impact the individual, their family, and their daily behavior. He also pointed out the crucial role of families in monitoring their children and not leaving smart devices in their hands constantly.
Technological boom and a double-edged sword
Habib Ayesh praised the rapid advancements in technology and modern services, emphasizing that the progress witnessed in the Kingdom has clearly contributed to facilitating people's lives and accomplishing many daily tasks more quickly and efficiently. He added that the Kingdom is experiencing remarkable prosperity and progress in this field, expressing his pride in the digital and technological development it has achieved in recent years.
For his part, Mohammed Al-Mutairi affirmed that technological advancements and social media have become important sources of learning and knowledge acquisition. However, he cautioned against certain prevalent practices, such as excessive displays of personal life, which can have negative repercussions on society and create comparisons and pressures among individuals and families. He called for stricter regulations governing the use of these platforms.
Social isolation and information security
Nasser Al-Ajmi emphasized that the internet and technology have become an integral part of daily life, noting that the nature of work, study, and modern services has created a new reality heavily reliant on digital communication. He added that one of the most prominent observations is the impact on communication skills among some children due to excessive technology use, and this has extended to social relationships and direct interaction between individuals during family gatherings.
In a related context, Abdul Latif Mohammed Al-Balawi and Ahmed Abdul Hamid discussed the importance of information security in light of rapid technological advancements, emphasizing that protecting data and privacy has become a shared responsibility. They described social media and artificial intelligence as a double-edged sword, stressing that the solution does not lie in rejecting technology, but rather in promoting a culture of responsible use, activating ongoing awareness campaigns, and integrating the roles of families and institutions to ensure that the significant advantages of technology are utilized while minimizing its negative impacts on societal security and cohesion.
