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Everyday technology is evolving and with it so do we. A new iPhone comes out and it’s a must have. New computers, new phones, automatic toilets…Okay not all technology has to do with communication. The technology I refer to is the cell phone with all its glorious apps and the Internet with all its glorious social media networks.
Obviously, they are having an effect on how humans communicate with each other. They make communication easier–being able to get in contact with people more efficiently and quickly than sending mail through the U.S. Postal System.
Most of the effects technology has had on communication can only be positive. We are able to learn about what’s going on in the world in other countries more quickly, meet new people and keep in contact with friends and family.
The downsides of technology on communication that we face today could be people using Snapchat to send inappropriate pictures or people using social networks to bully others and of course the predators lurking around in the deep corners of the Internet.
With communication comes communication skills that differ for everyone. Not everyone is built equipped with the tools to talk to people efficiently face-to-face, but with the technology, they have less chances to learn how to gain these skills. So is a technology ever a good thing for those who can’t communicate well face-to-face?
My parents worry constantly about the up and coming generation. They think we hide behind texting, Twitter, Facebook and other sites and they worry it takes away from the, as my dad put it “belly-to-belly” talk. And that’s a reasonable concern.
Sometimes hanging out with my friends consists of sitting in the same room on two different computers, doing two different things and talking to other people not in the room instead of actually enjoying each other’s company.
Will it one day get to the point where we don’t even use our mouths to talk to people anymore and instead use our cell phones? I personally doubt that.
I think the pros of technology on communication skills are that sometimes it is easier to get to know people through text before actually talking to people face to face, yet it is a con as well.
What about when you have a job interview? You can’t text answers to the interviewers questions. It’s inevitable that the effect of technology on communication and the skills that come with it has its pros and cons. We can only hope to strive for balance.
