Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Self Actualization: Technology can be used to help people reach their ultimate goals of “self actualization” and also help people make a difference in the world. For example, someone who is skilled at playing guitar can make instructional videos and teach thousands of people at once, while also making money off views and subscribers. Also, someone who wants to support a cause can join or start a community or even donate funds to a charity or organization through the internet.
- Esteem Needs: Social media apps, such as Facebook or Instagram, allow users to connect with millions of people, like, comment, and support others on posts, upload videos and photos, and post life updates and accomplishments to family members and friends.
- Belongingness and love needs: Though they sometimes get a bad wrap, dating apps like Tinder and Bumble are used by thousands of people as a means to meet potential love interests. Other social media apps like Reddit have thousands of different communities based on a multitude of categories and interests to help give people a sense of belonging.
- Safety Needs: Having a cell phone means being able to call anyone for help within seconds, as well as being able to use apps like Uber or Lyft to get home safely after a late night at the bar or club.
- Physiological needs: Almost every fast food restaurant now has a mobile app where you can order food to pickup or deliver within minutes. There are also several meal delivery apps such as DoorDash and GrubHub that are used to order meals, groceries, and other items to be delivered at your doorstep without having to leave the house.