What ethical, cultural and social issues does digital technology raise for individuals and society?
The ethical, cultural and social impacts of digital technology, including the digital divide, the effect on employment and working practices, and issues such as misinformation and online behaviour.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the ethical, cultural and social impacts of digital technology, including the digital divide, effects on employment, and issues such as misinformation, with both positive and negative sides.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to discuss the ethical, cultural and social impacts of digital technology, including the digital divide, the effect on employment and working practices, and issues such as misinformation and online behaviour. Several of these are tested as extended-response questions, so you must give both positive and negative sides and reach a balanced conclusion.
The digital divide
Those on the wrong side of the divide can be disadvantaged: they may be excluded from applying for jobs online, accessing education and government services, or benefiting from cheaper online prices, which can widen existing inequalities.
Impact on employment
Cultural and social impacts
Try this
Q1. State what is meant by the digital divide. [1 mark]
- Cue. The gap between those with good access to digital technology and the internet and those without.
Q2. Give one positive effect of digital technology on employment. [1 mark]
- Cue. It creates new jobs (such as developers or data analysts) or enables remote and flexible working.
Q3. Give one social concern raised by digital technology. [1 mark]
- Cue. The spread of misinformation (or cyberbullying, or effects on well-being).
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas Component 1, 20226 marksDiscuss the impact of digital technology on employment, considering both positive and negative effects.Show worked answer →
This is an extended-response question marked in bands, so a good answer gives several points on each side and a balanced conclusion.
Negative effects: automation and software replace some jobs (for example in manufacturing, retail checkouts and admin); some workers need retraining; jobs can be off-shored more easily.
Positive effects: new jobs are created (software developers, data analysts, cybersecurity, IT support); remote and flexible working becomes possible; productivity rises and new industries appear.
A top-band answer weighs both sides and reaches a reasoned conclusion, for example that technology changes the type of work rather than simply removing it. Markers reward balance, relevant examples and a justified conclusion, not a one-sided list.
Eduqas Component 1, 20233 marksExplain what is meant by the digital divide and give one way it can disadvantage people.Show worked answer →
Digital divide (up to 2 marks): the gap between those who have good access to digital technology and the internet and those who do not, whether because of cost, location (such as poor rural connectivity) or skills.
Disadvantage (1 mark): people without access can be excluded from online services, job applications, education resources or cheaper online prices, putting them at a disadvantage compared with those who are connected.
Markers reward a clear definition of the gap in access and a concrete disadvantage. Saying only "some people have computers and some do not" without the consequence is weak.
Related dot points
- The relevant legislation: the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse Act, and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, including what each covers and the offences under each.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the main computing laws: the Data Protection Act, the Computer Misuse Act, and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, covering what each protects and the offences under each.
- Privacy and the impact of data collection, tracking and surveillance, including cookies and location data, and the balance between privacy, security and convenience.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on privacy and the impact of data collection, tracking and surveillance, including cookies and location data, and the trade-off between privacy, security and convenience.
- The environmental impacts of digital technology, including energy consumption, the resources used to make devices, electronic waste (e-waste), and reuse and recycling.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the environmental impacts of digital technology: energy consumption, the resources used to manufacture devices, electronic waste (e-waste), and how reuse and recycling reduce the harm.
- The methods used to protect a system (firewalls, encryption, passwords and biometrics), and data management including the need for and types of backup.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the methods used to protect a system (firewalls, encryption, passwords, biometrics) and on data management, including why backups matter and full versus incremental backup.
- The purpose and functions of an operating system (memory management, multitasking, peripheral management, the user interface, and security and user management) and the role of common utility software.
An Eduqas GCSE Computer Science answer on the purpose and functions of an operating system (memory management, multitasking, peripheral management, the user interface, security and user management) and the role of common utility software.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC Eduqas GCSE Computer Science specification (from 2016) — Eduqas (2020)