How does computing affect society and the environment, both positively and negatively?
Discuss the social and environmental impact of computing, including benefits, the digital divide, e-waste and energy use
A focused answer to the O-Level Computing point on impact. The social benefits and drawbacks of computing, the digital divide, the effect on jobs, and environmental issues such as e-waste and energy use.
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What this dot point is asking
SEAB wants you to discuss the social and environmental impact of computing, including its benefits and drawbacks, the digital divide, e-waste and energy use. The central idea is that computing brings huge benefits but also real costs, and a good answer weighs both sides, on society and on the environment, rather than only praising or only criticising.
The answer
Social benefits
Computing has transformed daily life for the better:
- Communication: instant email, messaging and video calls across the world.
- Access to information and education: online learning and resources for everyone with access.
- Convenience: online banking, shopping and government services.
- Healthcare and research: faster diagnosis, records and scientific progress.
- Work and creativity: new jobs, remote working and tools for making and sharing.
Social drawbacks
The same technology brings problems:
- Less face-to-face contact and social isolation.
- Health effects of excessive screen time.
- Misinformation spreading quickly online.
- Job losses as automation replaces some roles.
- Privacy and security risks from data being collected and shared.
The digital divide
The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to computers and the internet (and the skills to use them) and those who do not. Causes include cost, location and education. Those on the wrong side of the divide are disadvantaged in work, learning and access to services, which raises fairness concerns.
Impact on jobs
Automation and computing create new jobs (such as software and data roles) but replace others (such as some manual or routine work). The workforce must reskill, and the change can be hard for those whose jobs disappear.
Environmental impact: e-waste
E-waste is discarded electronic devices, old phones, computers and screens. It is a problem because devices contain toxic materials (such as lead and mercury) that pollute soil and water if dumped, and valuable materials are wasted instead of recovered.
Environmental impact: energy use
Computing uses large amounts of electricity, for devices and especially for data centres that run constantly. If that power comes from fossil fuels, it contributes to carbon emissions and climate change.
Reducing the impact
- Recycle old devices properly and repair or reuse rather than replace.
- Buy energy-efficient devices and switch off or sleep them when idle.
- Power data centres with renewable energy.
Examples in context
Example 1. Online learning during school closures. When classes moved online, students with computers and good internet kept learning, while those without fell behind, a clear example of the digital divide. The benefit of remote education was real, but so was the unfairness for those lacking access.
Example 2. Upgrading phones every year. Frequent upgrades drive huge amounts of e-waste, with old phones containing toxic materials often dumped rather than recycled. Repairing, reusing and recycling devices, and keeping them longer, reduces both the waste and the energy used to make new ones.
Try this
Q1. Explain what the digital divide is. [2 marks]
- Cue. The gap between those with access to computers and the internet (and the skills to use them) and those without.
Q2. State why e-waste is an environmental problem. [2 marks]
- Cue. Discarded devices contain toxic materials that pollute soil and water if dumped, and useful materials are wasted.
Q3. Give one way to reduce the environmental impact of computing. [2 marks]
- Cue. Recycle or reuse old devices, buy energy-efficient ones, switch them off when idle, or use renewable energy.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Original5 marks(a) Give two ways computing has benefited society. (b) Explain what is meant by the digital divide. (c) State one social drawback of increased computer use.Show worked answer →
(a) Benefits include: faster and easier communication (email, messaging, video calls); access to information and education online; convenience through online banking, shopping and services; improved healthcare and research; and new opportunities for work and creativity. Any two are acceptable.
(b) The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to computers and the internet (and the skills to use them) and those who do not. It can be due to cost, location or education, and it disadvantages those without access in work, learning and services.
(c) Social drawbacks include: less face-to-face contact and isolation; screen-time and health effects; the spread of misinformation; job losses through automation; and risks to privacy and security. Any one is acceptable.
Markers reward two genuine benefits, the digital divide as a gap in access and skills, and one valid social drawback.
Original5 marks(a) Explain what e-waste is and why it is an environmental problem. (b) State one way the energy use of computing affects the environment. (c) Give two ways to reduce the environmental impact of computing.Show worked answer →
(a) E-waste (electronic waste) is discarded electronic devices such as old phones, computers and screens. It is an environmental problem because devices contain toxic materials (such as lead and mercury) that can pollute soil and water if dumped, and valuable materials are wasted rather than recovered.
(b) Computing uses large amounts of electricity, for devices and especially for data centres that run constantly. If that electricity comes from fossil fuels, it contributes to carbon emissions and climate change.
(c) Ways to reduce impact: recycle old devices properly; repair and reuse rather than replace; buy energy-efficient devices; switch off or sleep devices when not in use; and use renewable energy for data centres. Any two are acceptable.
Markers reward e-waste as discarded electronics with toxic materials, energy use linked to emissions, and two valid ways to reduce impact such as recycling or energy efficiency.
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