Modern technology has become a major factor in the lives of billions of people in modern or ‘developed’ countries. According to BBC and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), as of 2015, 3.2 billion people will be online, have access to internet, and other modern technical advances. However, many more billions of people in ‘undeveloped’ countries don’t have access to any or little technology. Which brings up the question, is modern technology a want, or a need?
Modern technology is, while many people might not care to admit it, a want. For example, you might believe that having trains and boats and airplanes is important. And you are right. However, the modern day version of a train isn’t a steam powered train, but rather a high-tech electrical one. Some don’t even even have to touch the tracks to move. Modern trains, such as the one the one in Shanghai, the Shanghai Maglev, can reach speeds up to 267 mph. As exhilarating as that sounds, it isn’t, in any way, improving the lives of people. No one needs to get somewhere so fast, they need to move 267 mph to get  there. When thoroughly examined, it becomes increasingly apparent that, while trains are an energy efficient way to transport people and goods, trains that move 267 mph (or don’t even touch the tracks at all) are only a want. They are only there to prove how science and engineering will continue to push the limits, however, they aren’t any more beneficial than a regular, older train. TVs are considered modern technology, and now we can watch movies on our TV in high definition. And while we watch the latest hit movie or documentary on our high definition, flat-screen TV, millions of kids around the world wake up earlier than us to work in coal mines or under terrible conditions. An estimated 215 million kids work in sweatshops or other physically demanding jobs with little or no nutrition, according to the UN. They have little or no time to entertain themselves, and are almost always hungry. Flat-screen TVs and other advances in entertainment don’t, in any way, aid those kids in their current situation.
Technology has brought up many advantages however, such as medicinal advances and easier access to information. However, these advances have also made people forget about the real world. Because the United States is so advanced, many people forget that there are billions of people who struggle to live, or go to sleep starving, scared, or hurt. And not only that, but things like social media have opened new doors for people to feel left out or bullied. According to statistics from the i-SAFE foundation, over half of adolescents have been bullied online. And over 25% of adolescents who have been bullied online have begun to think suicidal thoughts. While it is true that technology such as planes, boats, or trains, medicinal advances, computers, phones, etc. are beneficial, it is the degree in which we are using them where the problem lies. No one needs an iPhone 8, and no one needs the latest social media. I believe it is time that people began to realize how unfairly advantaged people around the world are compared to others. We, as people on the planet, need to step back and recognize that the majority of modern tech we have is not even a need, but rather what we crave; what we want.
Links:
cyber bullying info link: http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/conte … stics.html

Link on child labor:  http://www.un.org/en/events/childlabour … ound.shtml
Link on technological advancements: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32884867