Democracy Lives In The Palm Of Your Hand
Technology provides the connective tissue for transformation.
It’s both amazing and undeniable that smartphone technology has created an unprecedented level of connectivity between people around the globe. In 2022, it is estimated that the number of smartphone users around the world will be closer to 3.2 billion people or over 80% of the entire population of the earth. This figure indicates a growth of roughly 13.6% in smartphone users since 2020 and a 20% increase in smartphone users worldwide. This surge in smartphone ownership can be largely attributed to the blooming smartphone technology markets found in India, Africa, and South East Asia. And it all started just a few years ago in 2007.
The continued development of smartphone technologies—more efficient operating systems, improved hardware, and intuitive designs—has made them increasingly accessible to an ever wider swath of the global population. It is now possible for people living in remote areas to own a smartphone device at a very affordable price point. This has allowed for greater access to communication tools such as messaging apps or video call services which have become integral parts of our lives today. This unparalleled interconnection has allowed for new ways of communication, information sharing, and collaboration worldwide.
Moreover, with smartphone ownership becoming ubiquitous across society, businesses have had to adapt their strategies accordingly by designing mobile-friendly websites or creating applications tailored to consumers’ needs and wants. This trend towards mobile-first approaches has allowed for even greater engagement between people giving them easier access to goods and services from around the world.
But perhaps the greatest impact of smartphones is how they are democratizing the world by giving people access to communication tools, information, and services that were once unavailable or only accessible to a select few. In short, smartphones are breaking down barriers and connecting the world like never before. They all offer the opportunity to connect and engage to find common ground. And while they can also drive contention and divide us, we must see that the emerging value of technology is to bring humanity together. The town square is no longer made of brick and mortar, but of electrons that amplify and consolidate our voices. And the revolution—from politics to social media to medicine—is at hand.
Technology will become the connective tissue of humanity to build the bonds that may otherwise never be made. It will help us navigate around the all-too-human issues of ignorance, bias, and prejudice and pave the path of understanding.
Remember, there are over 6 billion hands out there to hold!
