The ICT revolution fueled by the exponential progress of the semiconductor technology and the accelerated pace of globalization is a vital tool in ensuring the measures to prevent COVID-19 and drive the dwindling global economy to a safer path in a year we all clamour for survival.
The impact of the ICT revolution is visible in several aspects of life in a time like this and most notably in the entertainment industry. The world is in lockdown, and many have to work from home if they have to work. The entertainment industry has played a crucial role in human survival as we all fight the pandemic.
ICT is vital during this time as we have moved from one age to another. We are in the information age; the pace at which we have run has also led to technological advancement with globalization an essential tool.
What is ICT?
ICT stands for Information and Communication Technologies and refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to Information Technology but focuses primarily on communication technologies.
What is the ICT Revolution?
ICT revolution primarily refers to the advancement in Information and Communication Technologies over some time.
ICT revolution can also be called The Digital Revolution (also known as the 3rd Industrial Revolution). It is the shift from mechanical and analogue electronic technology to digital electronics which began in the late 1950s.
It can also be referred to as the sweeping changes brought about by digital computing and communication technology during the latter half of the 20th century.
Central to this revolution is the mass production and widespread use of digital logic, MOSFETs, and integrated circuit chips, and their derived technologies including computers, microprocessors, digital cellular phones, and the internet.
Rise in Digital Technology over the years
The world has experienced a drastic change from analogue and mechanical technology to digital technology over the years.
In the late 1980s, less than 1% of the world’s technologically stored information was in digital form while it was 94% in 2007, with more than 97% by 2014.
In 1990, there were 12.5 million cell phone subscribers in the world and 2.8 million internet users. The figure increased to 1.5 billion cell phone subscribers and 631 million internet users by the year 2000.
In 2010, there were 4 billion cell phone subscribers (58% of the world population in 2010) and 1.8 billion (26.6% of the world population in 2010). The figure took another turn in 2020 as there were 4.78 billion cell phone subscribers (62% of the world population) and 4.54 billion (59% of the world population) internet users which is on the increase due to the global pandemic that has kept people at home.
The Impact of ICT Revolution on the world During lockdown
We are in the information; we couldn’t have got better without the impact of Information and Communication Technologies over the years.
In a year, the world is being hit with a pandemic, ICT has played a significant role in bringing normalcy to the whole world. The message all over the world today is to stay at home. The news couldn’t have been possible without the medium through which information spreads. Cellphones, computer and other devices have helped to disseminate information to people about the scourge.
We couldn’t do much than to stay indoors in a time where many people have lost their lives worldwide as a result of COVID-19. Those who must work have been able to do so from home due to ICT.
The world has been more of a virtual gathering than ever as meetings held through the internet. Social media platforms, as well as applications (Zoom app is widespread today), have been used by individuals, companies, and governments to pass important information for growth during this period.
The internet has been beneficial to some people who used it wisely during this period. The rise in use of the internet and social media platforms have brought success to some people, especially in the entertainment industry. Many in the outside world have learnt new things using apps such as YouTube while some have gained more knowledge through online classes.
One of the negative impacts of the ICT revolution in a time like this is that human labour is in exchange with technology as some establishments have seen reasons to use more of ICT. In Nigeria, for example, companies have started to retrench some of their workers while some have to receive pay cut salaries to stay in their job.
Impact of ICT Revolution on Entertainment Industry
The entertainment industry has felt the positive impact of the ICT revolution due to the stay at home order by world governments. The internet has seen more users while apps frequently today while looking for ways to be entertained.
The entertainment industry comprises of the film/movie industry, music industry, media and other forms of entertainment. The world has been lockdown but not the movie or music industry; it has waxed louder with subscribers during this period.
Outdoor activities in many nations of the world are no due to the pandemic, indoor activities that are aided by technological devices have been useful.
Impact on the Film Industry
The film industry that produces and distributes feature films and animations has gained massively from the pandemic even though cinemas are closed for now. Applications such as Netflix, Instagram, and Twitter have had increases in the number of users.
Netflix announced that 16 million people created accounts in the first three months of 2020 as people all around the world need to entertainment while at home. This number is said to double the new sign-ups it saw in the final month of 2019.
Instagram has recorded heavy usage during lockdown; movie stars and other entertainers who couldn’t go on tour or have shown now use Instagram live as an alternative to reaching out to their fans and followers. It is no surprise, American rapper, Tekashi 6ix9ine broke the Instagram live record with over 2 million viewers after Canadian rapper, Tory Lanez has set a new pace which was during the lockdown too.
Other apps, such as Tik-Tok is used to create video contents for fun and relaxation. Twitter is trending more than ever before as stories get more reactions. At the same time, entertainers to battle themselves on various social media platforms, thereby keeping people entertained despite the scourge of the pandemic.
Impact in the Music Industry
Thlockdownwn hasn’t stopped the world from listening to music produced by music artists, thanks to ICT. Artists have dropped new albums and EPs, they have also used platforms such as Instagram and Twitter to push their music more than ever.
The increase in the number of online presences by music lovers is in the views of music released on music platforms during the lockdown. American entertainers such as Deja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, 6ix9ine and several other artists who have new music released during this time have enjoyed successes.
While the ladies make it top of the American billboard list, rapper 6ix9ine broke another record during the lockdown as he claims the fastest climb to 100 million views on YouTube, leapfrogging Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift.
Music produced during lockdown has received more life to it as social media challenges go with the sounds. ‘Bop Daddy’,’ Options’, ‘Duduke’, and Choc city’s ‘Monster verse’ are few of the trending social media challenges in Nigeria that have kept the people busy. The ‘Climax’ challenge by R’n’B singer, Usher Raymond kept the internet busy as cellphones, and other technological devices create something unique.
Impact of ICT Revolution on Media
People all over the world focuses on news coming from media houses more than ever before so as to be informed about the happenings on covid-19 all around the world. Sport lovers have waited patiently on media houses to declare normalcy by bringing back sporting activities.
Television, radio, and social media has felt the impact of ICT as there are more subscribers over the past 3 months. Just as the film and music industry, it has been a positive impact of ICT revolution on the entire entertainment industry since the outbreak of covid-19 worldwide.
The impact of ICT revolution hasn’t been felt more than this time, the pandemic has led to more use of digital technology while the entertainment industry has benefitted a lot in a time we need to survive globally. Who knows if we could have returned to the stone or ice age in a time like this without digital revolution?
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