Internet Services That Protect Your Privacy in 2025How to Choose the Best Internet Service Provider for Your Home

Internet Services That Protect Your Privacy in 2025How to Choose the Best Internet Service Provider for Your Home

network management solutions for ISPs

The Evolving Landscape of Online Privacy in 2025


As we step into 2025, the topic of online privacy has become more crucial than ever. IT services in sydney . With the internet constantly changing, finding an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that genuinely prioritizes your privacy is no small feat! Its not just about speed and reliability anymore; its about how well your chosen provider can keep your data safe from prying eyes.


When searching for the best ISP, you might want to consider a few key factors. First off, look for companies that offer strong encryption services. They shouldnt just talk the talk; they should actually provide features like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or secure browsing options. This way, you can surf the web without worrying too much about hackers or data leaks.


Another important thing to think about is the ISPs privacy policy. Some providers might not be transparent about what they do with your data. You definitely dont want to choose an ISP that sells your information to advertisers or other third parties. So, take the time to read the fine print; it can make a big difference!


Also, check for user reviews and ratings. Real experiences from other customers can give you insight into how well an ISP protects your privacy. If you see a lot of complaints about data breaches or poor customer service, it's probably best to steer clear.


Lastly, don't forget about customer support. If something goes wrong, you'll want an ISP that's responsive and helpful. No one wants to deal with a company that leaves you hanging when you have a privacy concern!


In conclusion, while the internet services landscape is evolving, choosing the right ISP for your home in 2025 doesn't have to be overwhelming. Just remember to prioritize privacy, read the reviews, and don't rush into a decision.

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Your online safety is worth the effort!

Key Features of Privacy-Focused Internet Services


When it comes to choosing the best internet service provider (ISP) for your home in 2025, key features of privacy-focused services should definitely be at the top of your list! You see, with so much of our personal information floating around online these days, the last thing you want is your ISP tracking your every move and selling that data to the highest bidder.


First things first, look for an ISP that doesn't keep logs of your internet activity. That means no record of the sites you visit, no tracking of when youre online, and no data on the files you download. It might sound like a lot to ask, but it's crucial for maintaining your privacy. Some ISPs might say they don't log data, but it's always a good idea to double-check their policies and maybe even reach out to customer support to confirm.


Another thing to consider is encryption. Encryption is like a secret code that scrambles your internet traffic, making it unreadable to anyone who tries to intercept it. You want an ISP that uses end-to-end encryption for all your internet activities. That way, even if someone manages to access your data, they won't be able to make sense of it.


And let's not forget about VPN services!

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A good VPN can be a lifesaver when it comes to protecting your privacy. It hides your IP address, routes your internet traffic through a secure server, and encrypts your data. While some ISPs offer built-in VPNs, you might want to consider using a third-party VPN for an added layer of security.


Oh, and don't forget about zero-knowledge DNS services. DNS services translate website names into IP addresses, but a lot of them can track your browsing habits. A zero-knowledge DNS service, on the other hand, doesn't log any information about your DNS queries, keeping your browsing history private.


Lastly, it's important to choose an ISP that's transparent about its data practices. They should be upfront about what data they collect, how they use it, and who they share it with. If an ISP seems shady or unwilling to disclose this information, it's probably best to steer clear.


Choosing the right ISP in 2025 can be overwhelming, but prioritizing privacy-focused features will definitely make the process a lot easier. And remember, your online privacy is worth fighting for!

Top Internet Service Providers Prioritizing User Privacy


When it comes to choosing the best internet service provider (ISP) for your home in 2025, user privacy is more important than ever! Not all ISPs are created equal when it comes to protecting your data. You want an ISP that doesnt sell your browsing habits or track your online activity without your consent. Some top ISPs prioritizing user privacy include ProtonVPN and Private Internet Access. They offer encrypted connections which means your internet traffic is scrambled and secure, making it tough for anyone to intercept your data.


Now, you might think these providers are too good to be true, but hey, they really do exist! Unlike bigger, more mainstream ISPs that often monetize your personal information, these companies focus on keeping your details private. For instance, Private Internet Access doesn't keep logs of your activity, so there's no record of what sites you visit or what files you download. And ProtonVPN? Well, they're known for their strong encryption and commitment to privacy rights.


But don't just take my word for it; do your research. Look into their policies on data retention, see if they allow third-party tracking, and check if they have any recent controversies involving privacy breaches. It's also wise to read reviews from other customers who value privacy as much as you do. Neglecting this step could mean you end up with an ISP that doesn't respect your online activities!


So, when picking out an ISP for your home in 2025, make sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully. An ISP that respects your privacy can give you peace of mind knowing that your sensitive information stays under wraps. Who'd have thought choosing an internet provider could be such an intricate decision?!

Evaluating Encryption and Data Handling Practices


When it comes to choosing the best internet service provider (ISP) for your home, there's a lot to consider, especially in 2025. With all the concerns about privacy nowadays, evaluating encryption and data handling practices is more important than ever! First off, not all ISPs are created equal. Some offer robust privacy protections, while others might be more lax (which can be concerning).


You definitely don't want to pick a provider that doesn't prioritize your data security. Many ISPs claim they protect your information, but you gotta dig a little deeper to find out what that really means. Look for providers that use strong encryption methods. If they're not encrypting your data, it's like leaving your front door wide open!


Next, consider how they handle your data. Do they sell it to third parties? That's a big red flag. You want an ISP that's upfront about their data policies and doesn't hide behind legal jargon. Transparency is key!


Also, think about the customer service aspect. It's no use having the best privacy practices if you can't get help when you need it. So, look for an ISP with a good reputation for support-because you never know when you might run into an issue.


In conclusion, not every ISP will meet your privacy needs, so take the time to research your options. You deserve a provider that respects your privacy and keeps your data secure. It's worth it!

Understanding VPN Integration and Usage


Understanding VPN integration and usage is gonna be super important when it comes to protecting your privacy on the internet in 2025! When choosing the best internet service provider (ISP) for your home, you gotta make sure they offer robust VPN services or at least have partnerships with reliable VPN providers. But heres the catch - dont go for an ISP that doesnt let you use your own VPN software! That can be really restrictive and might even compromise your security.


Now, why would you want a VPN? Well, think of it like this: VPNs are like invisible cloaks for your internet data. They encrypt your traffic so no one else can peek at what youre browsing or downloading. And thats crucial because we dont know who might be tracking us or trying to monetize our data. A good ISP should support VPNs without slowing down your connection or giving you a hard time about it.


Another thing to consider is the privacy policies of the ISP. You wouldn't want someone who logs all your internet activity to be your provider, right? Make sure they have strict no-logging policies (and actually stick to them). Transparency is key here – you need to know exactly how your data is being handled.


Lastly, customer reviews can be a huge help. Check if other users have mentioned issues with VPN compatibility or if the ISP has a reputation for being overly restrictive with their policies. You dont want to end up in a situation where you cant use the tools you need to keep your information safe!


So, when shopping around for that perfect ISP, keep these points in mind. Dont settle for anything less than full support for VPNs and strong privacy protections. Your digital life is too valuable to risk it!

The Impact of Regulations on Privacy and Internet Services


Alright, so when it comes to choosing the best internet service provider (ISP) for your home, especially considering the impact of regulations on privacy and internet services, it can be a bit of a maze! You see, in 2025, the landscape of internet services that protect your privacy is going to look very different from what were used to today. For starters, new regulations are gonna be popping up left and right, trying to balance the need for security with the right to privacy. But here's the thing, not all ISPs are created equal when it comes to respecting your privacy.




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First off, you gotta look at how much data your ISP collects from you. Some providers are really into tracking your online behavior, and they might not be very clear about what they do with that data. You don't wanna be one of those people who's always wondering what your ISP knows about you! So, make sure to check their privacy policy and see if they offer any opt-out options for data collection.


Now, encryption is another biggie. You wanna find an ISP that uses end-to-end encryption for your data to ensure that your online activities are secure. If they're not doing that, you might want to think twice about signing up. It's like leaving your front door wide open when you go out – not the smartest move.


Another aspect to consider is how they handle government requests for data. Some ISPs might hand over your information without a second thought, while others will put up a fight to protect your privacy. You wanna be with a provider that's on your side when it comes to standing up for your rights.


And then there's the whole issue of bandwidth throttling. Some ISPs might slow down your internet speed if you're using a lot of data, which can be frustrating. But the kicker is, if they're doing it to monitor your usage, it's a red flag. You want an ISP that doesn't use your data against you.


Lastly, customer support can make or break your experience. If they're not helpful or respectful, it's gonna be a pain in the neck dealing with any issues that arise. Plus, if they're quick to blame you for problems, that's not a good sign either.


So, when you're choosing an ISP, don't just look at the price and speed.

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Take a moment to think about your privacy and how important it is to you. Trust me, it's better to have a slower but more private connection than a super fast one that's always watching your every move. Make the right choice, and your internet experience in 2025 will be a lot smoother!

Future Trends in Privacy-Enhancing Internet Technologies


Okay, so, like, picking an internet provider that actually respects your privacy in 2025? Thats gonna be a whole different ballgame. Think about it: right now, its kinda like the Wild West (yikes!), companies tracking everything you do online. But, looking ahead, future trends in privacy-enhancing internet technologies are gonna seriously shake things up.


I mean, were talking about stuff thats probably not even fully baked yet. Picture this: technologies that encrypt your data so completely that even your ISP cant snoop on you! We might see widespread adoption of decentralized networks, where theres no single point of failure (or, you know, snooping). And dont forget advanced VPNs that are practically unbreakable.


Choosing the best ISP for your home wont just be about speed and price anymore. Itll be about, like, how committed they are to not selling your data! Youll be looking for providers who actively use these privacy-enhancing technologies. They wont be just saying they care about your privacy; theyll be showing it through their tech.


Its not just about tech, though. Youll wanna research a companys policies, see if theyve got a history of data breaches (uh oh!), and maybe even look for certifications from privacy advocacy groups. Its kinda like doing your homework before you buy a car, but for something way more personal. Imagine a world where your data isnt up for grabs – wouldnt that be amazing!?!

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You know, its not a pipe dream, but itll take a bit more effort than just picking the cheapest option out there.

Citations and other links

The Web (or web) is the worldwide system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Net procedure collection (TCP/IP) to connect in between networks and gadgets. It is a network of networks that contains private, public, scholastic, business, and government networks of local to global range, connected by a wide variety of digital, cordless, and optical networking innovations. The Internet carries a huge range of information sources and solutions, such as the interlinked hypertext records and applications of the World Wide Web (WWW), electronic mail, internet telephone systems, and data sharing. The origins of the Web go back to study that enabled the time-sharing of computer sources, the growth of package changing in the 1960s and the style of local area network for information communication. The set of policies (communication procedures) to enable internetworking on the web developed from research and development commissioned in the 1970s by the Protection Advanced Study Projects Agency (DARPA) of the United States Division of Protection in cooperation with universities and researchers across the USA and in the UK and France. The ARPANET initially worked as a backbone for the affiliation of local academic and armed forces networks in the United States to make it possible for resource sharing. The funding of the National Science Structure Network as a new backbone in the 1980s, along with exclusive financing for other commercial expansions, motivated worldwide engagement in the development of new networking modern technologies and the merging of several networks using DARPA's Web method collection. The linking of business networks and business by the early 1990s, along with the advent of the Net, marked the beginning of the change to the contemporary Web, and created continual rapid growth as generations of institutional, individual, and mobile computer systems were attached to the internetwork. Although the Internet was extensively utilized by academic community in the 1980s, the subsequent commercialization of the Web in the 1990s and beyond integrated its solutions and technologies into practically every facet of modern life. The majority of traditional communication media, consisting of telephone, radio, tv, paper mail, and newspapers, are reshaped, redefined, or even bypassed by the Internet, giving birth to new services such as email, Internet telephone, Web radio, Net tv, on-line songs, electronic papers, and audio and video streaming websites. Newspapers, books, and various other print publishing have actually adjusted to web site innovation or have been reshaped into blog writing, web feeds, and on the internet news collectors. The Web has allowed and accelerated brand-new kinds of personal communication with instant messaging, Web forums, and social networking services. On the internet shopping has expanded exponentially for significant stores, small companies, and business owners, as it allows firms to expand their "traditional" existence to offer a bigger market or perhaps sell products and services completely online. Business-to-business and monetary solutions online influence supply chains across whole industries. The Internet has no solitary centralized governance in either technological application or policies for accessibility and use; each component network establishes its very own plans.The overarching definitions of the two principal name rooms on the Internet, the Web Protocol address (IP address) space and the Domain Name System (DNS), are directed by a maintainer organization, the Internet Firm for Assigned Names and Figures (ICANN). The technological support and standardization of the core procedures is an activity of the Net Design Task Force (IETF), a non-profit company of loosely affiliated worldwide individuals that anyone may connect with by contributing technical know-how. In November 2006, the Net was included on United States Today's list of the New Seven Marvels.

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A mindmap of ICTs
Internet history timeline

Early research and development:

Merging the networks and creating the Internet:

Commercialization, privatization, broader access leads to the modern Internet:

Examples of Internet services:

Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications[1] and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers, as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage and audiovisual, that enable users to access, store, transmit, understand and manipulate information.

ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audiovisuals and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives to merge the telephone networks with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution, and management. ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device, encompassing radio, television, cell phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and appliances with them such as video conferencing and distance learning. ICT also includes analog technology, such as paper communication, and any mode that transmits communication.[2]

ICT is a broad subject and the concepts are evolving.[3] It covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, process, transmit, or receive information electronically in a digital form (e.g., personal computers including smartphones, digital television, email, or robots). Skills Framework for the Information Age is one of many models for describing and managing competencies for ICT professionals in the 21st century.[4]

Etymology

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The phrase "information and communication technologies" has been used by academic researchers since the 1980s.[5] The abbreviation "ICT" became popular after it was used in a report to the UK government by Dennis Stevenson in 1997,[6] and then in the revised National Curriculum for England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2000. However, in 2012, the Royal Society recommended that the use of the term "ICT" should be discontinued in British schools "as it has attracted too many negative connotations".[7] From 2014, the National Curriculum has used the word computing, which reflects the addition of computer programming into the curriculum.[8]

Variations of the phrase have spread worldwide. The United Nations has created a "United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force" and an internal "Office of Information and Communications Technology".[9]

Monetization

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The money spent on IT worldwide has been estimated as US$3.8 trillion[10] in 2017 and has been growing at less than 5% per year since 2009. The estimated 2018 growth of the entire ICT is 5%. The biggest growth of 16% is expected in the area of new technologies (IoT, Robotics, AR/VR, and AI).[11]

The 2014 IT budget of the US federal government was nearly $82 billion.[12] IT costs, as a percentage of corporate revenue, have grown 50% since 2002, putting a strain on IT budgets. When looking at current companies' IT budgets, 75% are recurrent costs, used to "keep the lights on" in the IT department, and 25% are the cost of new initiatives for technology development.[13]

The average IT budget has the following breakdown:[13]

  • 34% personnel costs (internal), 31% after correction
  • 16% software costs (external/purchasing category), 29% after correction
  • 33% hardware costs (external/purchasing category), 26% after correction
  • 17% costs of external service providers (external/services), 14% after correction

The estimated amount of money spent in 2022 is just over US$6 trillion.[14]

Technological capacity

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The world's technological capacity to store information grew from 2.6 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 1986 to 15.8 in 1993, over 54.5 in 2000, and to 295 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 2007, and some 5 zettabytes in 2014.[15][16] This is the informational equivalent to 1.25 stacks of CD-ROM from the earth to the moon in 2007, and the equivalent of 4,500 stacks of printed books from the earth to the sun in 2014. The world's technological capacity to receive information through one-way broadcast networks was 432 exabytes of (optimally compressed) information in 1986, 715 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 1993, 1.2 (optimally compressed) zettabytes in 2000, and 1.9 zettabytes in 2007.[15] The world's effective capacity to exchange information through two-way telecommunication networks was 281 petabytes of (optimally compressed) information in 1986, 471 petabytes in 1993, 2.2 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 2000, 65 (optimally compressed) exabytes in 2007,[15] and some 100 exabytes in 2014.[17] The world's technological capacity to compute information with humanly guided general-purpose computers grew from 3.0 × 10^8 MIPS in 1986, to 6.4 x 10^12 MIPS in 2007.[15]

Sector in the OECD

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The following is a list of OECD countries by share of ICT sector in total value added in 2013.[18]

Rank Country ICT sector in % Relative size
1  South Korea 10.7 10.7
 
2  Japan 7.02 7.02
 
3  Ireland 6.99 6.99
 
4  Sweden 6.82 6.82
 
5  Hungary 6.09 6.09
 
6  United States 5.89 5.89
 
7  India 5.87 5.87
 
8  Czech Republic 5.74 5.74
 
9 Finland 5.60 5.6
 
10  United Kingdom 5.53 5.53
 
11  Estonia 5.33 5.33
 
12  Slovakia 4.87 4.87
 
13  Germany 4.84 4.84
 
14  Luxembourg 4.54 4.54
 
15   Switzerland 4.63 4.63
 
16  France 4.33 4.33
 
17  Slovenia 4.26 4.26
 
18  Denmark 4.06 4.06
 
19  Spain 4.00 4
 
20  Canada 3.86 3.86
 
21  Italy 3.72 3.72
 
22  Belgium 3.72 3.72
 
23  Austria 3.56 3.56
 
24  Portugal 3.43 3.43
 
25  Poland 3.33 3.33
 
26  Norway 3.32 3.32
 
27  Greece 3.31 3.31
 
28  Iceland 2.87 2.87
 
29  Mexico 2.77 2.77
 

ICT Development Index

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The ICT Development Index ranks and compares the level of ICT use and access across the various countries around the world.[19] In 2014 ITU (International Telecommunication Union) released the latest rankings of the IDI, with Denmark attaining the top spot, followed by South Korea. The top 30 countries in the rankings include most high-income countries where the quality of life is higher than average, which includes countries from Europe and other regions such as "Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Japan, Macao (China), New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States; almost all countries surveyed improved their IDI ranking this year."[20]

The WSIS process and development goals

[edit]

On 21 December 2001, the United Nations General Assembly approved Resolution 56/183, endorsing the holding of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing today's information society.[21] According to this resolution, the General Assembly related the Summit to the United Nations Millennium Declaration's goal of implementing ICT to achieve Millennium Development Goals. It also emphasized a multi-stakeholder approach to achieve these goals, using all stakeholders including civil society and the private sector, in addition to governments.

To help anchor and expand ICT to every habitable part of the world, "2015 is the deadline for achievements of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which global leaders agreed upon in the year 2000."[22]

In education

[edit]
Today's society shows the ever-growing computer-centric lifestyle, which includes the rapid influx of computers in the modern classroom.

There is evidence that, to be effective in education, ICT must be fully integrated into the pedagogy. Specifically, when teaching literacy and math, using ICT in combination with Writing to Learn[23][24] produces better results than traditional methods alone or ICT alone.[25] The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), a division of the United Nations, has made integrating ICT into education as part of its efforts to ensure equity and access to education. The following, which was taken directly from a UNESCO publication on educational ICT, explains the organization's position on the initiative.

Information and Communication Technology can contribute to universal access to education, equity in education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching, teachers' professional development and more efficient education management, governance, and administration. UNESCO takes a holistic and comprehensive approach to promote ICT in education. Access, inclusion, and quality are among the main challenges they can address. The Organization's Intersectoral Platform for ICT in education focuses on these issues through the joint work of three of its sectors: Communication & Information, Education and Science.[26]

OLPC Laptops at school in Rwanda

Despite the power of computers to enhance and reform teaching and learning practices, improper implementation is a widespread issue beyond the reach of increased funding and technological advances with little evidence that teachers and tutors are properly integrating ICT into everyday learning.[27] Intrinsic barriers such as a belief in more traditional teaching practices and individual attitudes towards computers in education as well as the teachers own comfort with computers and their ability to use them all as result in varying effectiveness in the integration of ICT in the classroom.[28]

Mobile learning for refugees

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School environments play an important role in facilitating language learning. However, language and literacy barriers are obstacles preventing refugees from accessing and attending school, especially outside camp settings.[29]

Mobile-assisted language learning apps are key tools for language learning. Mobile solutions can provide support for refugees' language and literacy challenges in three main areas: literacy development, foreign language learning and translations. Mobile technology is relevant because communicative practice is a key asset for refugees and immigrants as they immerse themselves in a new language and a new society. Well-designed mobile language learning activities connect refugees with mainstream cultures, helping them learn in authentic contexts.[29]

Developing countries

[edit]

Africa

[edit]
A computer screen at the front of a room of policymakers shows the Mobile Learning Week logo
Representatives meet for a policy forum on M-Learning at UNESCO's Mobile Learning Week in March 2017.

ICT has been employed as an educational enhancement in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1960s. Beginning with television and radio, it extended the reach of education from the classroom to the living room, and to geographical areas that had been beyond the reach of the traditional classroom. As the technology evolved and became more widely used, efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa were also expanded. In the 1990s a massive effort to push computer hardware and software into schools was undertaken, with the goal of familiarizing both students and teachers with computers in the classroom. Since then, multiple projects have endeavoured to continue the expansion of ICT's reach in the region, including the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, which by 2015 had distributed over 2.4 million laptops to nearly two million students and teachers.[30]

The inclusion of ICT in the classroom, often referred to as M-Learning, has expanded the reach of educators and improved their ability to track student progress in Sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, the mobile phone has been most important in this effort. Mobile phone use is widespread, and mobile networks cover a wider area than internet networks in the region. The devices are familiar to student, teacher, and parent, and allow increased communication and access to educational materials. In addition to benefits for students, M-learning also offers the opportunity for better teacher training, which leads to a more consistent curriculum across the educational service area. In 2011, UNESCO started a yearly symposium called Mobile Learning Week with the purpose of gathering stakeholders to discuss the M-learning initiative.[30]

Implementation is not without its challenges. While mobile phone and internet use are increasing much more rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa than in other developing countries, the progress is still slow compared to the rest of the developed world, with smartphone penetration only expected to reach 20% by 2017.[30] Additionally, there are gender, social, and geo-political barriers to educational access, and the severity of these barriers vary greatly by country. Overall, 29.6 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa were not in school in the year 2012, owing not just to the geographical divide, but also to political instability, the importance of social origins, social structure, and gender inequality. Once in school, students also face barriers to quality education, such as teacher competency, training and preparedness, access to educational materials, and lack of information management.[30]

Growth in modern society and developing countries

[edit]

In modern society, ICT is ever-present, with over three billion people having access to the Internet.[31] With approximately 8 out of 10 Internet users owning a smartphone, information and data are increasing by leaps and bounds.[32] This rapid growth, especially in developing countries, has led ICT to become a keystone of everyday life, in which life without some facet of technology renders most of clerical, work and routine tasks dysfunctional.

The most recent authoritative data, released in 2014, shows "that Internet use continues to grow steadily, at 6.6% globally in 2014 (3.3% in developed countries, 8.7% in the developing world); the number of Internet users in developing countries has doubled in five years (2009–2014), with two-thirds of all people online now living in the developing world."[20]

Limitations

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However, hurdles are still large. "Of the 4.3 billion people not yet using the Internet, 90% live in developing countries. In the world's 42 Least Connected Countries (LCCs), which are home to 2.5 billion people, access to ICTs remains largely out of reach, particularly for these countries' large rural populations."[33] ICT has yet to penetrate the remote areas of some countries, with many developing countries dearth of any type of Internet. This also includes the availability of telephone lines, particularly the availability of cellular coverage, and other forms of electronic transmission of data. The latest "Measuring the Information Society Report" cautiously stated that the increase in the aforementioned cellular data coverage is ostensible, as "many users have multiple subscriptions, with global growth figures sometimes translating into little real improvement in the level of connectivity of those at the very bottom of the pyramid; an estimated 450 million people worldwide live in places which are still out of reach of mobile cellular service."[31]

Favourably, the gap between the access to the Internet and mobile coverage has decreased substantially in the last fifteen years, in which "2015 was the deadline for achievements of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which global leaders agreed upon in the year 2000, and the new data show ICT progress and highlight remaining gaps."[22] ICT continues to take on a new form, with nanotechnology set to usher in a new wave of ICT electronics and gadgets. ICT newest editions into the modern electronic world include smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch, smart wristbands such as the Nike+ FuelBand, and smart TVs such as Google TV. With desktops soon becoming part of a bygone era, and laptops becoming the preferred method of computing, ICT continues to insinuate and alter itself in the ever-changing globe.

Information communication technologies play a role in facilitating accelerated pluralism in new social movements today. The internet according to Bruce Bimber is "accelerating the process of issue group formation and action"[34] and coined the term accelerated pluralism to explain this new phenomena. ICTs are tools for "enabling social movement leaders and empowering dictators"[35] in effect promoting societal change. ICTs can be used to garner grassroots support for a cause due to the internet allowing for political discourse and direct interventions with state policy[36] as well as change the way complaints from the populace are handled by governments. Furthermore, ICTs in a household are associated with women rejecting justifications for intimate partner violence. According to a study published in 2017, this is likely because "access to ICTs exposes women to different ways of life and different notions about women's role in society and the household, especially in culturally conservative regions where traditional gender expectations contrast observed alternatives."[37]

In health care

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In science

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Applications of ICTs in science, research and development, and academia include:

Models of access

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Scholar Mark Warschauer defines a "models of access" framework for analyzing ICT accessibility. In the second chapter of his book, Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide, he describes three models of access to ICTs: devices, conduits, and literacy.[40] Devices and conduits are the most common descriptors for access to ICTs, but they are insufficient for meaningful access to ICTs without third model of access, literacy.[40] Combined, these three models roughly incorporate all twelve of the criteria of "Real Access" to ICT use, conceptualized by a non-profit organization called Bridges.org in 2005:[41]

  1. Physical access to technology
  2. Appropriateness of technology
  3. Affordability of technology and technology use
  4. Human capacity and training
  5. Locally relevant content, applications, and services
  6. Integration into daily routines
  7. Socio-cultural factors
  8. Trust in technology
  9. Local economic environment
  10. Macro-economic environment
  11. Legal and regulatory framework
  12. Political will and public support

Devices

[edit]

The most straightforward model of access for ICT in Mark Warschauer's theory is devices.[40] In this model, access is defined most simply as the ownership of a device such as a phone or computer.[40] Warschauer identifies many flaws with this model, including its inability to account for additional costs of ownership such as software, access to telecommunications, knowledge gaps surrounding computer use, and the role of government regulation in some countries.[40] Therefore, Warschauer argues that considering only devices understates the magnitude of digital inequality. For example, the Pew Research Center notes that 96% of Americans own a smartphone,[42] although most scholars in this field would contend that comprehensive access to ICT in the United States is likely much lower than that.

Conduits

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A conduit requires a connection to a supply line, which for ICT could be a telephone line or Internet line. Accessing the supply requires investment in the proper infrastructure from a commercial company or local government and recurring payments from the user once the line is set up. For this reason, conduits usually divide people based on their geographic locations. As a Pew Research Center poll reports, Americans in rural areas are 12% less likely to have broadband access than other Americans, thereby making them less likely to own the devices.[43] Additionally, these costs can be prohibitive to lower-income families accessing ICTs. These difficulties have led to a shift toward mobile technology; fewer people are purchasing broadband connection and are instead relying on their smartphones for Internet access, which can be found for free at public places such as libraries.[44] Indeed, smartphones are on the rise, with 37% of Americans using smartphones as their primary medium for internet access[44] and 96% of Americans owning a smartphone.[42]

Literacy

[edit]
Youth and adults with ICT skills, 2017

In 1981, Sylvia Scribner and Michael Cole studied a tribe in Liberia, the Vai people, who have their own local script. Since about half of those literate in Vai have never had formal schooling, Scribner and Cole were able to test more than 1,000 subjects to measure the mental capabilities of literates over non-literates.[45] This research, which they laid out in their book The Psychology of Literacy,[45] allowed them to study whether the literacy divide exists at the individual level. Warschauer applied their literacy research to ICT literacy as part of his model of ICT access.

Scribner and Cole found no generalizable cognitive benefits from Vai literacy; instead, individual differences on cognitive tasks were due to other factors, like schooling or living environment.[45] The results suggested that there is "no single construct of literacy that divides people into two cognitive camps; [...] rather, there are gradations and types of literacies, with a range of benefits closely related to the specific functions of literacy practices."[40] Furthermore, literacy and social development are intertwined, and the literacy divide does not exist on the individual level.

Warschauer draws on Scribner and Cole's research to argue that ICT literacy functions similarly to literacy acquisition, as they both require resources rather than a narrow cognitive skill. Conclusions about literacy serve as the basis for a theory of the digital divide and ICT access, as detailed below:

There is not just one type of ICT access, but many types. The meaning and value of access varies in particular social contexts. Access exists in gradations rather than in a bipolar opposition. Computer and Internet use brings no automatic benefit outside of its particular functions. ICT use is a social practice, involving access to physical artifacts, content, skills, and social support. And acquisition of ICT access is a matter not only of education but also of power.[40]

Therefore, Warschauer concludes that access to ICT cannot rest on devices or conduits alone; it must also engage physical, digital, human, and social resources.[40] Each of these categories of resources have iterative relations with ICT use. If ICT is used well, it can promote these resources, but if it is used poorly, it can contribute to a cycle of underdevelopment and exclusion.[45]

Environmental impact

[edit]

Progress during the century

[edit]

In the early 21st century a rapid development of ICT services and electronical devices took place, in which the internet servers multiplied by a factor of 1000 to 395 million and its still increasing. This increase can be explained by Moore's law, which states, that the development of ICT increases every year by 16–20%, so it will double in numbers every four to five years.[46] Alongside this development and the high investments in increasing demand for ICT capable products, a high environmental impact came with it. Software and Hardware development as well as production causing already in 2008 the same amount of CO2 emissions as global air travels.[46]

There are two sides of ICT, the positive environmental possibilities and the shadow side. On the positive side, studies proved, that for instance in the OECD countries a reduction of 0.235% energy use is caused by an increase in ICT capital by 1%.[47] On the other side the more digitization is happening, the more energy is consumed, that means for OECD countries 1% increase in internet users causes a raise of 0.026% electricity consumption per capita and for emerging countries the impact is more than 4 times as high.

Currently the scientific forecasts are showing an increase up to 30700 TWh in 2030 which is 20 times more than it was in 2010.[47]

Implication

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To tackle the environmental issues of ICT, the EU commission plans proper monitoring and reporting of the GHG emissions of different ICT platforms, countries and infrastructure in general. Further the establishment of international norms for reporting and compliance are promoted to foster transparency in this sector.[48]

Moreover it is suggested by scientists to make more ICT investments to exploit the potentials of ICT to alleviate CO2 emissions in general, and to implement a more effective coordination of ICT, energy and growth policies.[49] Consequently, applying the principle of the coase theorem makes sense. It recommends to make investments there, where the marginal avoidance costs of emissions are the lowest, therefore in the developing countries with comparatively lower technological standards and policies as high-tech countries. With these measures, ICT can reduce environmental damage from economic growth and energy consumption by facilitating communication and infrastructure.

In problem-solving

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ICTs could also be used to address environmental issues, including climate change, in various ways, including ways beyond education.[50][51][52]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Murray, James (2011-12-18). "Cloud network architecture and ICT - Modern Network Architecture". TechTarget =ITKnowledgeExchange. Archived from the original on 2017-09-20. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
  2. ^ Ozdamli, Fezile; Ozdal, Hasan (May 2015). "Life-long Learning Competence Perceptions of the Teachers and Abilities in Using Information-Communication .Technologies". Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 182: 718–725. doi:10.1016/j.access=free.
  3. ^ "ICT - What is it?". www.tutor2u.net. Archived from the original on 2015-11-02. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  4. ^ "IEEE-CS Adopts Skills Framework for the Information Age • IEEE Computer Society". www.computer.org. Retrieved 14 March 2018.[dead link]
  5. ^ William Melody et al., Information and Communication Technologies: Social Sciences Research and Training: A Report by the ESRC Programme on Information and Communication Technologies, ISBN 0-86226-179-1, 1986. Roger Silverstone et al., "Listening to a long conversation: an ethnographic approach to the study of information and communication technologies in the home", Cultural Studies, 5(2), pages 204–227, 1991.
  6. ^ The Independent ICT in Schools Commission, Information and Communications Technology in UK Schools: An Independent Inquiry, 1997. Impact noted in Jim Kelly, What the Web is Doing for Schools Archived 2011-07-11 at the Wayback Machine, Financial Times, 2000.
  7. ^ "Shut down or restart? The way forward for computing in UK schools" (PDF). Royal Society. January 2012. p. 18. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
  8. ^ Department for Education, "National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study".
  9. ^ United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology, About Archived 2018-02-04 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "IDC - Global ICT Spending - 2018 - $3.8T". IDC: The premier global market intelligence company. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  11. ^ "IDC - Global ICT Spending - Forecast 2018 – 2022". IDC: The premier global market intelligence company. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  12. ^ "Federal Information Technology FY2014 Budget Priorities" (PDF). obamawhitehouse.archives.gov.
  13. ^ a b "IT Costs – The Costs, Growth And Financial Risk Of Software Assets". OMT-CO Operations Management Technology Consulting GmbH. Archived from the original on 12 August 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
  14. ^ "IDC - Global ICT Spending - Forecast 2018 – 2022". IDC: The premier global market intelligence company. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  15. ^ a b c d "The World's Technological Capacity to Store, Communicate, and Compute Information", Martin Hilbert and Priscila López (2011), Science, 332(6025), 60–65; see also "free access to the study" and "video animation".
  16. ^ Gillings, Michael R; Hilbert, Martin; Kemp, Darrell J (2016). "Information in the Biosphere: Biological and Digital Worlds". Trends in Ecology & Evolution. 31 (3): 180–189. Bibcode:2016TEcoE..31..180G. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2015.12.013. PMID 26777788. S2CID 3561873.
  17. ^ Hilbert, Martin (2016). "The bad news is that the digital access divide is here to stay: Domestically installed bandwidths among 172 countries for 1986–2014". Telecommunications Policy. 40 (6): 567–581. doi:10.1016/j.telpol.2016.01.006.
  18. ^ Figure 1.9 Share of ICT sector in total value added, 2013, doi:10.1787/888933224163
  19. ^ "Measuring the Information Society" (PDF). International Telecommunication Union. 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  20. ^ a b "ITU releases annual global ICT data and ICT Development Index country ranking - librarylearningspace.com". 2014-11-30. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  21. ^ "Basic information : about was". International Telecommunication Union. 17 January 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  22. ^ a b "ICT Facts and Figures – The world in 2015". ITU. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  23. ^ "What is Writing to Learn, WAC Clearinghouse".
  24. ^ "Evidence for How Writing Can Improve Reading, Carnegie.Org 2010" (PDF).
  25. ^ Genlott, Annika Agélii; Grönlund, Åke (August 2016). "Closing the gaps – Improving literacy and mathematics by ict-enhanced collaboration". Computers & Education. 99: 68–80. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2016.04.004.
  26. ^ "ICT in Education". Unesco. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  27. ^ Birt, Jacqueline; Safari, Maryam; de Castro, Vincent Bicudo (2023-03-20). "Critical analysis of integration of ICT and data analytics into the accounting curriculum: A multidimensional perspective". Accounting & Finance. 63 (4): 4037–4063. doi:10.1111/acfi.13084. ISSN 0810-5391. S2CID 257675501.
  28. ^ Blackwell, C.K., Lauricella, A.R. and Wartella, E., 2014. Factors influencing digital technology use in early childhood education. Computers & Education, 77, pp.82-90.
  29. ^ a b UNESCO (2018). A Lifeline to learning: leveraging mobile technology to support education for refugees. UNESCO. ISBN 978-92-3-100262-5.
  30. ^ a b c d Agence Française de Développement (February 2015). "Digital services for education in Africa" (PDF). unesco.org. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  31. ^ a b "ITU releases annual global ICT data and ICT Development Index country rankings". www.itu.int. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  32. ^ "Survey: 1 In 6 Internet Users Own A Smartwatch Or Fitness Tracker". ARC. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  33. ^ "ITU releases annual global ICT data and ICT Development Index country rankings". www.itu.int. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  34. ^ Bimber, Bruce (1998-01-01). "The Internet and Political Transformation: Populism, Community, and Accelerated Pluralism". Polity. 31 (1): 133–160. doi:10.2307/3235370. JSTOR 3235370. S2CID 145159285.
  35. ^ Hussain, Muzammil M.; Howard, Philip N. (2013-03-01). "What Best Explains Successful Protest Cascades? ICTs and the Fuzzy Causes of the Arab Spring". International Studies Review. 15 (1): 48–66. doi:10.1111/misr.12020. hdl:2027.42/97489. ISSN 1521-9488.
  36. ^ Kirsh, David (2001). "The Context of Work". Human Computer Interaction. 16 (2–4): 305–322. doi:10.1207/S15327051HCI16234_12. S2CID 28915179.
  37. ^ Cardoso LG, Sorenson SB. Violence against women and household ownership of radios, computers, and phones in 20 countries. American Journal of Public Health. 2017; 107(7):1175–1181.
  38. ^ Novak, Matt. "Telemedicine Predicted in 1925". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  39. ^ Albritton, Jordan; Ortiz, Alexa; Wines, Roberta; Booth, Graham; DiBello, Michael; Brown, Stephen; Gartlehner, Gerald; Crotty, Karen (7 December 2021). "Video Teleconferencing for Disease Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment" (PDF). Annals of Internal Medicine. 175 (2): 256–266. doi:10.7326/m21-3511. ISSN 0003-4819. PMID 34871056. S2CID 244923066.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h Warschauer, Mark (2004). Technology and Social Inclusion. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press. pp. 39–49. ISBN 0-262-23224-3.
  41. ^ "The Real Access / Real Impact framework for improving the way that ICT is used in development" (PDF). 26 December 2005.
  42. ^ a b "Mobile Fact Sheet". Pew Research Center. 13 November 2024.
  43. ^ Perrin, Andrew (19 August 2021). "Digital gap between rural and nonrural America persists". Pew Research Center.
  44. ^ a b Anderson, Monica (13 June 2019). "Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2019". Pew Research Center.
  45. ^ a b c d Scribner and Cole, Sylvia and Michael (1981). The Psychology of Literacy. ISBN 9780674433014.
  46. ^ a b Gerhard, Fettweis; Zimmermann, Ernesto (2008). "ITC Energy Consumption - Trends and Challenges". The 11th International Symposium on Wireless Personal Multimedia Communications (WPMC 2008) – via ResearchGate.
  47. ^ a b Lange, Steffen; Pohl, Johanna; Santarius, Tilman (2020-10-01). "Digitalization and energy consumption. Does ICT reduce energy demand?". Ecological Economics. 176: 106760. Bibcode:2020EcoEc.17606760L. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106760. ISSN 0921-8009. S2CID 224947774.
  48. ^ "Rolling Plan for ICT standardization 2021". Joinup. European Commission. 2021. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
  49. ^ Lu, Wen-Cheng (2018-12-01). "The impacts of information and communication technology, energy consumption, financial development, and economic growth on carbon dioxide emissions in 12 Asian countries". Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. 23 (8): 1351–1365. Bibcode:2018MASGC..23.1351L. doi:10.1007/s11027-018-9787-y. ISSN 1573-1596. S2CID 158412820.
  50. ^ Fox, Evan Michael (2019). "Mobile Technology: A Tool to Increase Global Competency Among Higher Education Students". The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning. 20 (2). doi:10.19173/irrodl.v20i2.3961. ISSN 1492-3831. S2CID 242492985.
  51. ^ "Digitalisation for a circular economy: A driver for European Green Deal". EPC. Archived from the original on Oct 8, 2023.
  52. ^ Charfeddine, Lanouar; Umlai, Mohamed (2023). "ICT sector, digitization and environmental sustainability: A systematic review of the literature from 2000 to 2022". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 184: 113482. Bibcode:2023RSERv.18413482C. doi:10.1016/j.rser.2023.113482.

Sources

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Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

 

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to information technology:

Information technology (IT) – microelectronics based combination of computing and telecommunications technology to treat information, including in the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information. It is defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) as "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly toward software applications and computer hardware."

Different names

[edit]

There are different names for this at different periods or through fields. Some of these names are:

Underlying technology

[edit]

History of information technology

[edit]

Information technology education and certification

[edit]

IT degrees

[edit]

Vendor-specific certifications

[edit]

Third-party and vendor-neutral certifications

[edit]

Third-party commercial organizations and vendor neutral interest groups that sponsor certifications include:

General certification

[edit]

General certification of software practitioners has struggled. The ACM had a professional certification program in the early 1980s, which was discontinued due to lack of interest. Today, the IEEE is certifying software professionals, but only about 500 people have passed the exam by March 2005.

Information technology and society

[edit]

Software Testing

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
  • Surveillance, Transparency and Democracy: Public Administration in the Information Age. p. 35-57. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL. ISBN 978-0-8173-1877-2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Information & Communication Technology" (PDF). www.un.org.
  2. ^ "Information technology". Archived from the original on 2013-08-26. Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  3. ^ "Data Communication Technology".
  4. ^ "Creative Digital Technologies".
  5. ^ "Design & technology".
  6. ^ "Communication Technology".
  7. ^ "Bachelor of Science in Information Technology".
  8. ^ "Master of Science in Information Technology".
  9. ^ "Bachelor of Computer Application".
  10. ^ "Master of Computer Applications" (PDF).
  11. ^ "AWS Certification". Amazon Web Services, Inc. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Apple - iServices - Technical Training". train.apple.com. Archived from the original on 2001-12-15.
  13. ^ "OCUP Certification - Home Page". Retrieved 22 May 2016.
  14. ^ By Shamus McGuillicuddy, SearchNetworking.com."SolarWinds offers network management training and certification Archived 2009-08-28 at the Wayback Machine." June 24, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
  15. ^ Haque, Akhlaque (2015). Surveillance, Transparency and Democracy: Public Administration in the Information Age. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press. pp. 35–57. ISBN 978-0-8173-1877-2.

 

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