I grew up with the latest technology around my home, from using a computer to play video games when I was five years old to writing this reflection for the Pope’s intention for April 2025 as a postgraduate student. Technology has always been a part of my life, and I continue to use it daily, especially now that I am working in the scientific field.
Technology is here to help advance humanity. For example, the internet allows us to communicate with each other from afar, whenever and wherever we choose. However, most of us take it for granted and use it to replace face-to-face communication.
I was once like that too.
In my mind, it seemed easy to call my family and friends whenever I wanted, and this made me less appreciative of physical presence. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 outbreak, when I was unable to go home to Sabah, that I truly realised how important it is to be with those close to me. Since then, I have come to deeply value quality time with the people I care about.
Besides that, technology allows us to access news from around the world quickly, especially news that interests most people, whether it is positive or negative. Because our minds are constantly fed with bad news, our attention has become diluted, and we have become less attentive (and perhaps less caring) toward other human beings. As such, I strongly agree with the Pope’s message in his video when the Holy Father said, 'There are real people behind it who breathe, laugh, and cry.'
Some people even use technology to spread their own agendas, especially in politics, which causes disunity. Technology is neither inherently good nor bad; it is how we use it that determines whether it serves the good of all.
Therefore, let us pray together that God will guide us to use technology for its original purpose in a societal sense which is to foster connection, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration for the betterment of humankind. May technology never replace human relationships nor diminish them, but instead, help unite us in facing crises.