1. Factors affecting the use of ICT systems

2. Factors affecting the use of ICT systems
Issues affecting the use of ICT systems fall into the following categories:
Cultural
Economic
Environmental
Ethical
Legal
Social

3. Cultural factors
ICT can affect the way we:
communicate with each other
view cultural material such as movies or music
produce art, music and film.

4. Economic factors
Commercial and business organisations increasingly use ICT for all aspects of their operations.
“Marks & Spencer has driven
another nail into the coffin of the
cheque by announcing that it will
no longer be accepting them as
payment.
Argos, Asda, Boots, Sainsbury's
and Next are among retailers that
have stopped accepting them. ”
(Daily Telegraph – 29th January 2008)

5. Environmental factors
ICT can have positive and negative impacts on the environment.
Video-conferencing and ….
…. teleworking helps to
reduce carbon footprints.

6. FRP-REUSEiT is a computer recycling programme in Waltham Forest
Negative aspects
Much equipment is just thrown away and replaced, rather than repaired, but:
FRP-REUSEiT is a computer recycling programme in Waltham Forest
They have provided refurbished ICT equipment to the St Mary Magdalene Centre for Refugees & Asylum Seekers in London’s Holloway to enable them to run ICT courses.

7. Ethical factors
One item often found in a company’s code of practice might relate to the use of the Internet. What topics do you think would be covered?
Use of for private use
Accessing inappropriate sites
Using the Internet for personal reasons, for example, booking a holiday
Would any of these be acceptable, say, during a lunch break?

8. Legal factors
The Data Protection Act requires data to be kept secure, for example, credit card numbers, which can be a problem for organisations who provide online shopping.
Many companies use
an intermediary such
as PayPal but have to
pay a fee to use the
service

9. Social factors
ICT affects the way society works and the ways in which people interact with each other.
Teleworking and videoconferencing have already been highlighted during this presentation. What other social effects of the increased use of ICT can you think of?

10. Social effects of ICT
Mobile phones
Text messaging
Use of
Webcams across the world
Online shopping
Leave messages via voic
Online banking
NHS direct