Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and their Relationship with Social Welfare

As “Frances Cairn cross” states "The most important thing about a new technology is not how to use it, but how people use it and the changes it brings about in people's life". This paper tries to find the relationship between ICT and social welfare, particularly the effects of these technologies on social welfare. Therefore, various dimensions of issue were reviewed using library and documentary method on available studies that had examined this issue.First, ICT and its multiple subsets and types are explained and then the different approaches to these technologies including technical and social approaches are discussed and their differences are defined. Second, there will be a reference to the ideas of the theorists who have spoken about these technologies. Third, there will be discussions about the relationship between information and communication technologies and social welfare as well as social effects and changes have introduced in the society by these technologies. Finally, the implemented projects outside of Iran are reviewed and the specific situation of the Iranian society, activities, events, and some of the decisions taken about information and communication technologies in Iran and their effect are addressed. The findings of this study shows that the influence and outcome of prevalence of information technologies on people's lifestyle has lead to improvement of their social welfare. Also, the application of these technologies in the economic, cultural, and social dimensions is such that allows for timely services, with lower cost; easier access to opportunities; along with using comments of citizens in handling society; enhancing political aspect of city and citizens; and finally improving their social status. Another point obtained from this review is that greater use of these technologies requires a greater breadth of vision that in turn will lead to much more effectiveness of these technologies.