Introduction
Technology has shaped the life of a contemporary individual. People find their live much easier than it used to be as technology enables them to do more within less time. Communication has also become affected. Many people are even worried that they have become “too immersed in the digital world and not present enough in the real world” (Adler par. 3). However, researchers note that technology does not have such a detrimental effect on interpersonal relationship but it makes them more diverse. Clearly, it is up to each person whether to use technology or rely on face-to-face communication and people willingly choose the latter.
People’s Concerns
It is necessary to admit that people spend a lot of time in the digital world. Young people are especially affected. For instance, it has been found that young people “ages 8 to 18 now spend nearly every waking moment when they are not in school” using media which makes around 7.5 hours per day (Adler par. 10). Admittedly, these people simply do not have time to communicate in the real world. Adults are also absorbed by the digital world at work and have little time for face-to-face communication. At the same time, people believe that personal contact are much more valuable and communicating through technology can disconnect people.
Changing Communication Patterns
However, researchers are more optimistic as they stress that technology does not replace interpersonal communication. Thus, researchers note that social networks, mobile phones do not prevent people from communicating but create more sophisticated patterns and people “stay connected to complex personal networks” (Boase 506). Thus, people often have a wide range of acquaintances online but they still prefer face-to-face communication with their close ones. Individuals find time to get together and enjoy face-to-face communication. Importantly, people can enjoy communication irrespective of their geographical location and remain in contact with their close ones. Technology has made communication more effective as people may reach each other within seconds. Business world has benefited from the use of technology as well.
Technology and Personalization
Apart from more diverse communication patters, technology enables people to reveal their identity in a more complex way and get connected to people who share similar values. Hence, individuals customize their profiles and make them quite personal. Social networks are becoming a way to find one’s self through communication and development of new ties. Furthermore, Campbell and Park argue that social networks, for instance, foster “cohesion within peer groups” (381). Obviously, social networks really help people to develop new ties and find people who have similar interests. It is noteworthy that having new ties does not mean that people lose their old ones. On the contrary, those who lack personal ties may find new connections and become integrated into certain community.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is possible to note that technology has had a significant impact on the way people communicate. The world has become smaller and people are now able to have more ties. Some are afraid to lose the connection with the real world. However, these concerns are groundless as people still prefer face-to-face communication with their close ones. It is possible to conclude that technology does not destroy ties but makes them more diverse and sophisticated. Besides, every person can choose the way to communicate and technology provides a variety of options.
Works Cited
Adler, Iris. How Our Digital Devices Are Affecting Our Personal Relationships. 2013. Web.
Boase, Jeffrey. “Personal Networks and the Personal Communication System: Using Multiple Media to Connect.” Information, Communication & Society 11.4 (2008): 490-508. Print.
Campbell, Scott W., and Yong Jin Park. “Social Implications of Mobile Telephony: The Rise of Personal Communication Society.” Sociology Compass 2.2 (2008): 371-387. Print.