Since the internet was invented we were able to find out what was happening on the other side of the world in a matter of minutes. We are able to talk with our family located in different states or countries for free, and sometimes not only talk, but see them as well! Children have cell phones because nowadays cellphones are so cheap and accessible that just about anybody can afford to buy one for their nine year old. Businessmen use skype to communicate with their employees in India. Technology has become like a super power that we have at our finger tips. It seems as though the world is shrinking, but are we growing closer or further apart?
While technology is supposed to allow us to better connected
to one another, at the same time it appears that it can also separate us from
those who are right by our side. Does technology
make us more alone? Because technology is such a major part of everyone’s life
in today’s world, this is an important question for everyone to consider. Are
our personal relationships affected by our smart phones? Does Facebook replace
actually getting together with your friends, or do you “catch up” with them on
their wall? A deeper question still is, is our younger generation lacking in
critical inter-personal communication skills because they have become over
dependent on texts and emails?
I personally notice this in my family: my husband working
from home, I’m taking online classes, and my son texting with his friends. We
spend our free time playing games on our cellphones, or even when we go to a
restaurant we see people on their phones instead of interacting with the people
they are there to eat with. Are trying to avoid each other? What are the consequences
for our closest relationships if we continue to focus more on stuff, or
distractions vs. people?
What I found interesting is how much technology has taken over our everyday lives. If everyone would just stop and look around, you could see people in a restaurant interacting with their phones rather than with each other or see people texting so heavily that it’s like a matter of life or death. Your post really has me wanting to know more.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder what would happen if technology goes out on us, what then? Are there ways that we can still have technology and not feel alone? I really appreciated how you pointed out the younger generation and their lack of interpersonal communication skills.
I agree that technology can make us feel more alone since there is so much of it and newer products flood the market more and more. I love the questions that you’ve raised and they’re very important to be discussed and talked about.
Hello Ericka!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great intro to your blog! It definitely grabs you right away and played to my emotions as well about this subject. Technology and relationships, I agree and disagree, can affect each other! As this subject hits home for me as I have two sons, 14 and 11 whom have grown up with the recent technology including cellphones. All three of us have iPhones. I do worry how it is playing a role in their lives as my generation (I'm 35) grew up very differently. On the other hand, technology has helped increased relationships as I can first attest to. My mom has reconnected with her half brother through social media. They have not spoken in 30 years and not due to anything but losing touch. Because of seeing both sides of this question, I wonder if this subject is more a matter of opinion than an factual subject that can be studied. Are they psychological studies to this fact?