William Shakespeare would have had to come up with a different plot for his Romeo and Juliet tragedy if he had lived in our era.

For those who do not know the story of one of the Bard’s greatest masterpieces, Juliet feigned death as a letter was sent – to be delivered by hand – to Romeo to explain her plan, which would have enabled the two lovers to escape from their families. But the letter never reached Romeo. Instead, he returned to Verona to find out that Juliet had “died”, and drank poison to kill himself. Juliet woke up from her long sleep to find her lover dead, and stabbed herself to death, this time for real.

That kind of plot would be unimaginable today, as an email, an SMS or a simple call would have enabled Juliet to inform Romeo of her plans – unless the systems were down, which does not happen very often – and probably they would have made it to live happily ever after.

The world has entered a technological era that seemed impossible only a few decades ago, when mobile telephony, email connections and the internet were only a dream. Today, few people do not have a mobile phone – the latest statistics show that, for example in Malta, there is a nearly 90 per cent penetration, while in some countries there are more mobile phone connections than there are citizens – while the use of email and the internet is on the increase.

Their use has simply changed our way of life.

Today, one can never eat in a restaurant without frequently hearing a cacophony of mobile phones ringing, although it must also be said that many people are more considerate and put their phone on silent mode so as not to disturb others.

Mobile phones have also affected our privacy, as we can be reached wherever we are – although, again, many switch their mobile off when they do not want to be disturbed. But there are also many who prefer to leave it switched on, and perhaps cannot do otherwise because of their work, or for other reasons.

Likewise, email connections are cheap and fast, and therefore much more preferred than the traditional mail system. Internet usage keeps one in touch with what is happening around the world at the push of a button, and also makes learning easier, to mention two of the many good uses of this kind of service.

Advancements in technology have created what is known as the digital divide, and this can largely be seen in the difference there is between the younger population – so well in-tune with IT – and the older generation which, try as it might, cannot compete, although it must be said that many older people have made a point of learning at least enough to prevent them being left behind.

A 10-year-old today knows more than his 40-year-old father when it comes to anything to do with IT – and this does not only apply to the computer, but to other devices such as MP3s, MP4s, Ipods and whatnot – and the 40-year-old will, of course, know more than his 70-year-old father.

What is important, however, is that it is never too late to learn, and it is heartening to see so many pensioners following IT-related courses or at least trying to learn to use a computer.

What is equally important is that people already in employment continue to update themselves with new, faster and more efficient systems – and in this their employers must be in the forefront to provide the necessary training.

As for the thousands of students who are preparing themselves for the world of work, they already know that without a knowledge of IT they will find the going tough and, as such, they should be getting all the support they need to “make it”.