NCERT Class 12 Informatics Practices Informatics Practices: Chapter 6 — Societal Impacts
This chapter, 'Societal Impacts,' from NCERT Class 12 Informatics Practices, explores the profound changes brought about by digital technologies. It highlights how advancements like personal computers, the internet, and smartphones have revolutionized communication, commerce, and various industries, making life more convenient and efficient. The chapter introduces the concept of digital footprints, explaining how our online activities create a trail of data. It differentiates between active footprints (intentionally shared data) and passive footprints (unintentionally generated data). The text emphasizes the importance of understanding these digital footprints to ensure a safe and productive online environment, warning about potential misuse and exploitation of personal data. It sets the stage for further discussion on related societal issues.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Informatics Practices |
| Book | Informatics Practices |
| Chapter | Chapter 6 — Societal Impacts |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 545 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the impact of digital technologies on society.
- Define and differentiate between active and passive digital footprints.
- Recognize the importance of managing one's digital footprint.
- Become aware of potential misuse of online data.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Digital Technologies | Technologies that use digital data for information processing and communication. |
| Instantaneous | Happening immediately or very quickly. |
| Digital Footprint | The trail of data left behind by a user's online activities. |
| Active Digital Footprints | Data intentionally submitted online by a user. |
| Passive Digital Footprints | Data generated unintentionally by a user's online activities. |
| IP Address | A unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is a digital footprint? Answer: A digital footprint is the trail of data left behind by a user's online activities.
- Give an example of an active digital footprint. Answer: An example of an active digital footprint is sending an email or posting on a social media website.
- Give an example of a passive digital footprint. Answer: An example of a passive digital footprint is the data generated when visiting a website or using a mobile app.
- Why is it important to be aware of your digital footprint? Answer: It is important to be aware of your digital footprint because such data can be used for targeted advertising or misused/exploited.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which of the following has made digital technologies widespread?
Explanation: The introduction of personal computers, the internet, and smartphones has collectively made digital technologies accessible and widespread among the general population.
Q2. What is the trail of data reflecting online activities called?
Explanation: The trail of data left behind by a user's online activities, such as websites visited or emails sent, is known as a digital footprint.
Q3. Which type of digital footprint includes data intentionally submitted online?
Explanation: Active digital footprints are created when users intentionally share information online, such as writing emails or making posts on social media.
Q4. Data generated when visiting a website without explicit user action is an example of:
Explanation: Passive digital footprints are formed by data collected automatically as a user browses the internet or uses apps, without direct user input for data submission.
Q5. Stephen Hawking's quote in the chapter compares computer viruses to:
Explanation: Stephen Hawking's quote suggests that computer viruses, being the only life created so far, are purely destructive and compares them to life created in humanity's own image.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main benefits of digital technologies mentioned in the chapter?
The chapter highlights that digital technologies make things more convenient, faster, and easier to handle, improving efficiency and productivity in various sectors like banking, aviation, and e-commerce.
What is the difference between active and passive digital footprints?
Active digital footprints are created when users intentionally submit data online (e.g., emails, posts), while passive digital footprints are generated unintentionally through online activities like browsing websites or using apps.
Why is it important to be aware of our digital footprints?
Awareness of digital footprints is crucial because the data trail can be used for targeted advertising or potentially misused and exploited.
What role do personal computers and smartphones play in the spread of digital technologies?
The introduction of personal computers (PCs) and smartphones, along with the internet, has made digital technologies accessible to the common person, leading to their widespread adoption.
What is the main concern raised about digital technologies in the chapter?
The chapter points out that while digital technologies offer many benefits, they can also be misused, emphasizing the need for best practices to ensure a safe and productive digital environment.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 Informatics Practices — Informatics Practices — Chapter 6 — Societal Impacts. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.