Over the past decade technology has advanced much more than we may originally have anticipated. This advancement has clearly proven to help us in our daily lives for communication, entertainment and work ethics, but also posed a significant advantage to the medical industry. Although it may seem as though humans are the only people who have benefitted from this wave of technology, animals have also been hugely affected by the technology which has come about over the recent years. Some of these impacts have been advantageous yet some threats have been posed to animals as a result of technological advancement.

Some benefits that technology has brought to animals includes an advancement in the medical instruments for animal surgery, just like technology has very much helped to improve the medical instruments, machines and resources for humans.  This means that, as for humans, some surgery can be carried out easier and the life of animals is safer than it would have been in the past.

Furthermore, scientists are slowly beginning to find out ways that humans will be able to understand what animals are saying, although their language is not a real language. Animals use sounds and gestures to express themselves so we are currently trying to find out how we can understand them. Technological devices are helping us to conduct this research hence, technology is proving to help animals greatly.

On the other hand, some animals have been faced with disadvantages due to a rise in technological devices. For some pets, life may have become a bit lonelier as their owners have reduced the time, they spend with them, as they are now spending longer on their phones or watching something on the television or tablet. I would like to make it clear that this is not the case for many people as they are still as affectionate with their pets as they have always been. However, at my school I carried out a survey for four year 10 classes where I had asked how the influence of technology has/has not changed the way they behave and spend time with their pets. From the 120 students surveyed, I found that 55% have reduced the time that they spend with their pets. Again, this does not mean that everyone is reducing the time that spend with their pets yet, there are chances that this could be how technology has impacted animals within the domestic circle.

Another possible problem for birds, which some scientists have laid forward, is the idea that when the birds are exposed to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, they receive a small electric shock which impacts their flight and navigation. More scientific research needs to be carried out in order to fully propose this idea as true however, scientists have already shown that mobile phones can have negative impacts on humans, so this idea of the EM radiation affecting the birds has high chances of being proven by more scientists. Birds are the most likely to be affected by this as they are airborne and as they fly in between communication towers, they will be impacted by the high level of EM radiation. This threat to birds has caused people to become upset.  My science teacher, Mr. Davidson commented, “It is terrible that we are potentially killing other species for our benefit”.

 Overall, it is clear to see that technology has some negative and positive impacts on animals so far. However, since care for animals is increasing, animals’ lives lie in safe hands.  So, let us continue to nurture animals and provide them with safety.