Introduction
Certainly, advanced technology has brought enhanced power and strength to communicate effectively and faster and has provided an instant and easier way to contact and interact with families and friends. Web application or Internet has become the most significant tool for our day-to-day activities since it serves as a link between various individuals across different geographical backgrounds. People find it convenient and easier to send and receive instant messages and e-mail messages using web application or Internet as they interact with other workmates, make inquiries or transmit information. However, this approach of using Internet for communication has a negative impact on personal contact since technology has replaced face-to-face communication. I strongly support the point that this advanced process hampers personal contact and communication.
Discussion
Technology is an interruption to physical communication and promotes personal isolation, as well as anti-socialism. Banjo, Hu and Sundar consider that technology “has killed the one-on-one conversation,” (128). Given that advanced technology provides a significant way for individuals to communicate and transfer information without essentially meeting the other partner, it promotes them to avoid face-to-face communication. In the past, people often communicate just when they meet each other in person. Moreover, due to regular personal contact, people had the enhanced relationships, and they had respect among each other. In modern society, advanced technology has made people spend most of their time using cell phones and computers. They use these tools for instant messages and to send e-mail messages at the cost of personal communication with their workmates, family, and friends.
The obstruction of personal communication and contact has a destructive impact on social skills of most individuals, which include adults, teenagers, and children. Hemmer agrees that “Internet use has a negative influence on individuals and their social skills,” (3). Research studies have shown that the regular use of cell phones and Internet leads to minimal, but noteworthy increase in isolation, stress, unhappiness and reduction in psychological welfare. Most people performing their works using computer applications, such as Internet, may face some challenges interacting within their neighborhood. People are becoming lazy and not leaving their houses to meet friends and workmates. The movement of people has been restricted just on their houses or offices. Moreover, these practices are making people become secluded from their society. As a result, they may develop loneliness since they are communicating mostly using their computers or cell phones.
A study by Sponcil and Gitimu (5) found some major threats that are observed in a society that uses technology to communicate rather than personal contact. The use of technology can hold back social interaction, where communication in learning institutions using technology lessens the capability of students to interact with each other on a face-to-face basis. Technology helps most marketers enhance their abilities to market their company’s brands to consumers. As a result, it inserts more stress on young generation to become “brand loyal.” In addition, online community has offered people an alternative of searching for self-help in a secluded approach.
Conclusion
Although advanced technology provides an effective platform for users to communicate faster and easier, it has brought some negative impact on personal contact or communication. Most people are using technology to transfer their information through electronic mails and instant messages. These methods hinder the way in which people interact effectively and efficiently using personal contact. Therefore, people should balance between technology communication and personal contact so that they maintain or improve their personal communication skills.
Works Cited
Banjo, Omotayo, Yifeng Hu and Shyam Sundar. “Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model.” The Open Communication Journal 2 (2008): 127-135. Print.
Hemmer, Heidi. “Impact of Text Messaging on Communication.” Journal of Undergraduate Research 2.1 (2009): 1-20. Print.
Sponcil, Megan and Priscilla Gitimu. “Use of social media by college students: Relationship to communication and self-concept.” Journal of Technology Research, 1 (2012): 1-13. Print.