As a result of the 2020 pandemic COVID-19, our relationship with technology has been impacted and altered. It may never be the same again!

How COVID-19 has changed our lives

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that one of the words that defined 2020 is pandemic. The coronavirus has affected everyone in some way and changed many aspects of our lives. Studying and working has changed. The internet is the only way to make contact, so everyone is stuck at home with computer screens. 

Due to the lockdowns and curfews, cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels, cinemas, and other venues had to close for weeks at that time, so many people worried about their survival. Everyone wears masks when we go out for safety. 

Also, the number of unemployed people has been increasing and there were fewer job opportunities. This problem can cause mental illness and leads to the increasing numbers of suicides.  

How our relationship with technology has changed since the pandemic

The restriction of social distancing and quarantine rules makes communication limited. Social network services such as Instagram, Skype, Zoom, LINE and we chat are the main ways of keeping in touch with family and friends. So, our relationship is mainly through the internet and the opportunity of face-to –face interaction is decreased. For example, we do not have to go to school, and online learning becomes mainstream. As other example, working members of society do not have to work at the office and meeting through zoom or other apps becomes mainstream.

The positive effects

There are a lot of positive effects of the changing relationship between Trinity College students and technology during COVID-19. From a survey we conducted we know that most of the respondents benefit from technology because it helps them to keep in touch with others. During the pandemic, international students cannot go to Australia to have  live classes, so technology helps them to have the online classes and contact with  teachers and classmates. 

Using technology during COVID-19 also contributes to entertainment. Some of the students are at home alone because they cannot go outside easily during the lockdown. Thus, computer games such as LOL and PUBG can entertain them and help them release  stress during the lonely days. Finally, technology also makes peoples’  lives more convenient. For example, they can shop online rather than go to the supermarket.

The negative effects

There are also some disadvantages of this situation. Above all, many Trinity College students find that technology is harmful to their physical health. That is because the radiation from devices like smartphones, iPads and laptops influences our eyes negatively. One student, Johnson, says that his vision becames much worse during the pandemic, and it may be because he uses his laptop to study online for at least 5 hours every day. 

Technology is also to blame for the lower efficiency of studying. Plenty of students use their phones to chat with friends or play games in online class. Therefore, they cannot concentrate on study. Finally, the changing relationship during COVID-19 makes some of the respondents isolated and lessens the personal interactions because they are more likely to chat through the social networking software instead of meeting each other in real life.

Has the reaction from people changed?

Our interview shows that 94% of respondents support the benefits of technology. Therefore, people appreciate and are thankful for inventing a lot of apps for meetings and information delivery.

Are we willing to take online learning again?

Though their reaction to technology is optimistic, students seem to prefer face-to-face learning to taking their classes online. Linh Chi Dinh, a  student currently studying at The University of Melbourne, pointed out the aim of going aboard is that she can discover many aspects of a new country such as culture and education system. Technology for her is a temporary method to get over this pandemic. 

In agreement with Linh Chi Dinh, 87% of Trinity students want the Australian government to open international borders soon. They can return to have face to face meetings within people. As a result, the relationship with technology enhances significantly in pandemic but without communication between people, things will become insipid and people would lose their confidence and interaction and they might find difficult to make friends.

We appreciate technology but not when it replaces human interaction.