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EN112
28 June 2021
Decline of Communication Due to Technology
ABSTRACT
Today’s world has been reset by numerous forms of the advancing technology in social media. Most are familiar with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, text messaging and email, Internet of Things Devices. Researchers in psychology share a concern that the decline in interpersonal communication leads to shortened attention spans and decrease in language and writing skills. Social Media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snap-chat have replaced tangible, direct, face-to-face personal interactions and thereby have caused a decline in communication and the overall condition of humanity by replacing reality with virtual or the oxymoron of false reality. This research is about how technology, smart devices and social media affects, verbal communication and socializing.
Communication
In addition, communication is defined as, “the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings…” (merrian-webster.com, 2019) In other words, communication is more than an abbreviated text written in shorthand to convey a message. Nowadays emojis replace facial expressions. Body language is expressed through gifs, and memes somehow translate a dry sense of humor of a sarcastic sentiment on facial expressions. This research paper seeks to discover
how the decline of the conscious mind can effectively translate emotional intelligence quotient (IQ) and interpretation of facial expressions with a sense of reality.
Social Media: True or False
Consequently, social media has an adverse effect on the mind and lately has drawn mass media attention from critics. According to Lucas Lengacher of Huntington University in the Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences; “Researchers have found that mobile technology can decrease communication and intimacy. The results too many research studies seem to point out is that mobile technology lessens social interaction and face-to-face communication due to the availability of stimulants online, which requires fewer outside stimulants such as interaction and body-to-body sociability.” (Lengacher, 2015)
Moreover, there are very few places on planet earth that is not impacted by social media. Social Media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snap-chat have replaced tangible, direct, face-to-face personal interactions and thereby have caused a decline in communication and the overall condition of humanity by replacing reality with virtual or the oxymoron of false reality.
Eliminates Face-to-Face Interactions
Several of the many adverse consequences of social media will be examined for discussion in this paper. One of the major concerns of critics, is that social media suggests eliminating the need for interpersonal skills. Consequently, face-to-face interactions through mobile devices like cell phones and tablets are limited by time and use of function. The user is considered engaged in a co-present interaction using a device as an unrealistic presentation of “self” to the receiver in the line of communication. (Ictech, 2018)
Furthermore, social media can create missed opportunities for spending time with one another. Instead of spending time with those we love, we choose to communicate via Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram which allows us to be as close as we possibly can without being together. (Geladi, 2018) According to Digital Society on Medium.com many are not aware of the amount of time social media consumes in a twenty-four-hour period.
Body Language
Whatever happened to the bumbling, quirky awkwardness endearing moments while fumbling over finding the right words to say at a first encounter or an introduction to a new face? Those moments are easily corrected like a typo on a text-message or speech-to text and the original tone is completely lost. Often, the technology of social media is mis-used as a tool for creative avoidance of uncomfortable conversations or as an interface for indirect confrontation. Yet again, misinterpretation occurs because the original tone is missing or unintended. Researchers observed interpersonal interactions within relationships and found that individuals engaged in conversation without using social media technology or cellular device showed greater empathy and concern than those who used mobile devices while interacting with others. (Drago, 2015) In addition, use of cellular or mobile devices to communicate in a social atmosphere distorts interpersonal relationships from between individuals. (Drago, 2015)
Social media may not allow room for mentally stimulating growth. Lengacher relates the best explanation describing the decline in communication due to the technology of social media within this quote; “… in viewing text-messaging negatively, one can easily be misunderstood, especially comments of a sarcastic nature. Text messaging, instant messaging and emailing allows for communicators to review and edit what is being said. Not only does mobile technology seem to affect our social skills and interactions. It also affects our psychological well-being.” (Lengacher, 2015)
With a twist of irony, while social media promises to improve our communication it becomes a detriment to the same. Researchers in Psychology who study social behaviors agree that Body Language is an essential part of communication.
However, with the dawn of the technology in social medium, real, interactive body language is omitted as a tool of communication. Facial Interpretation is not definitive related through technology in social media. People innately long for direct interaction and personal contact with others in order to establish relationships and bonds. Afterall, is this not what friendships, partnerships and families are built on? Then, facial expressions are important assets in social interaction for relating emotions, thoughts and ideas. Moreover, face-to-face interaction is the realist way to communicate these expressions when relating to others. Photos, videos, text-messaging and Instagram posts may not adequately express or communicate what the sender intended.
According to Nikki Geladi’s Technology is affecting quality of human face-to-face interaction on Medium.com; “…conversations that happen over technology lack content. You never really know when someone is being sarcastic, funny, or serious. Misunderstandings, miscommunication and assumptions impact how we view others, and happen very often when there is no face-to-face communication.” (Geladi, 2018)
Unfortunately, today, facial expressions have been replaced by emojis which leads to lack of conversation. Virtual expressions for example, Gifs and Memes now relate sentiment and emotion without verbal communication. Geladi further states that,” While technology tries with the emoji’s, bitmojis and gifs used in texting apps, they give the sender the ability to communicate a facial expression virtually.” (Geladi, 2018)
For instance, Geladi relates, “occasionally I get “stickers” and “emojis” on social media, but it doesn’t make me feel a personal connection with that person. It is not the same as getting a hug.” (Geladi, 2018) social media can lead to isolation, loneliness and lack of confidence.
In the past, feeling left-out used to be an experience when one is shunned from direct, face-to-face interaction with others. This concept is no longer the case nowadays. Social media can lead to isolation, loneliness and lack of confidence according to experts. Unfortunately, in today’s society technology of social media has created a community of social isolation. In Niki Geladi’s article entitled, “Technology is Affecting the Quality of Human Face-to-Face Interaction” she describes symptoms of social isolation: “Conversations that now happen through social media and have taken the place of traditional interactions is causing people to leave their houses less and less since they do not need to leave to communicate with others. (Geladi, 2018)
Reality vs. Virtual Reality or False Reality
One consequence of technology in social media is that the lines between virtual and false reality can be blurred. Some individuals may find themselves digitally isolated if unable to keep-up with the latest gadgets, devices and information technology. (Solis, 2014) This form of isolation may be a result of digital transformation: It is a movement that pushes businesses to look past what has always been done and pay attention to the innovative changes being done around them. Business must evolve and transform their ideals, models and daily operations from within the system. (Solis, 2014) Today, it is one of the most important game-change decision business have to make. (Solis, 2014) Can digital transformation be an asset for change or a weeding-out process? In the article entitled Digital Darwinism, Brian Solis explains how technology provokes adaptive changes businesses make to keep up with advances in communication.
In order to keep up businesses most evolve and this quote from the article, Digital Darwinism: How Disruptive Technology is Changing Business for Good, encompasses this concept:
The real threat and opportunity in technology’s disruption lies in the evolution of customer and employee behavior, values, and expectations…. This is a time of digital Darwinism — an era where technology and society are evolving faster than businesses can naturally adapt. This sets the stage for a new era of leadership, a new generation of business models, charging behind a mantra of “adapt or die.” (Solis, 2014)
In addition, technology can lead to people being absorbed into this digital world and not present enough in reality. Establishing relationships at first encounter becomes building blocks for fabricated relationships. Consequently, friendships are based on virtual or unreal expectations; a by-product of social media technology. The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication authored by Emily Drag in the ELON JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATIONS underscores the adverse effects of social media’s technology in this quote:
“…using apps and social media allows one to portray an image that they want the world to see, not being true to who they really are. Technology in this way can cause relationships not only to be strained with others but can also cause your relationship with yourself to spiral downwards. Seeing what others are constantly achieving causes you to examine your life and often leaves you feeling as if you are not good enough when you are not posting on social media, or that other’s lives are better than your own. In this way technology affects your relationship with yourself. All because of one thing: technology. Instead of engaging with one another analogously it is slowly shifting and becoming digital. (Drago, 2015)
Are Individuals nowadays overwhelmed with the overstimulation persistent advertisement while on social media? The virtual invasion has not stopped at just television, but it is becoming ingrained into the fabric of daily life. Daniel Newman’s work, Social Media Will Invade and Reimagine Work shares fascinating facts about how the information age will change everyday life in the future of advertising as it relates to social media technology;
One social media technology Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool used in among businesses currently is “inbox advertisements”. These innovative social technology tools for CRM according to Newman; “CRM are able to carry out an impressive list of tasks, which includes tracking mentions of your brand, bridging the gap between social conversations and internal communications, and charting data visualization, to name a few.”
Now that social media technology has invaded email inboxes everywhere business using this CRM tool have become even more bold in their interactive approach to grab people’s attention and their money. (Newman, 2014) Communication today is monetized having its own price-tag. Nevertheless, how much of social media technology’s approximately $106 billion dollar a year industry goes towards improving the quality of life for all of humanity and how relationships are nurtured? Many critics have accused the Millennial generation and the generations that follow; Gen-X, Gen-Y, and Gen-Z of obsessive behavior as it relates social media and the technology that supports the addiction. However, contrary to popular belief
According to Emily Drago; The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication research authors studying how personal relationships people’s behavior is affected by social media technology found the following:
After interviewing more than 300 young people and 150 adults, Turkle found that children were often times the ones complaining about their parents’ obsession with technology. Turkle discovered that many children believed their parents paid less attention to them than to their smartphones, often times neglecting to interact with them face to face until they had finished responding to emails. (Drago, 2015)
Conclusion
Finally, as a result, Social Media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snap-chat have replaced tangible, direct, face-to-face personal interactions decimated the truest avenues communication and replaced reality with virtual-reality; false sense of reality. Overall communication the current condition of humanity cannot afford social media’s technological assault on relationships. Society currently is suffering from an identity crisis because of the virtual identity that has been adopted instead. The present state of reality versus virtual-reality is literally and figuratively and oxy-moron. Now, what is the solution? One recommendation for starts is to re-introduce family dinner; free from the intrusion of social media technology. SWNS Digital states, “Modern families enjoy just 38 minutes of quality time together on the average weekday, a study has found. A combination of work, school and a packed timetable of clubs and activities means parents and their children have little time left to catch up, talk, play or simply interact as a family on a weekday.” (SWNS.com 2016) Perhaps a Social Media Technology fast is in order. Humanity can began restoring relationships face-to-face starting today. This holiday season should be more about giving the gift loved ones really appreciate; love, time and undivided attention.
Works Cited
Brian Solis, Altimeter Group. “Digital Darwinism: How Disruptive Technology Is Changing Business for Good.” Wired, Conde Nast, 7 Aug. 2015, www.wired.com/insights/2014/04/digital-darwinism-disruptive-technology-changing-business-good.
Drago, Emily. “The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication.” Inquiries Journal, Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications, 1 Jan. 2015, www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1137/the-effect-of-technology-on-face-to-face-communication.
Geladi, Niki. “Technology Is Affecting the Quality of Human Face-to-Face Interaction.” Medium, Digital Society, 21 May 2018, medium.com/digital-society/technology-is-affecting-the-quality-of-human-face-to-face-interaction-146fe72a29c5.
Ictech, Brad. “Smartphones and Face‐to‐Face Interaction: Digital Cross‐Talk During Encounters in Everyday Life.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 21 Dec. 2018, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/symb.406.
Lengacher, Lucas. “Mobile Technology: Its Effect on Face-to-Face Communication and Interpersonal Interaction.” Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, Kappa Omicron Nu, www.kon.org/urc/v14/lengacher.html.
Megan, graham. “Digital Ad Revenue in the US Surpassed $100 Billion for the First Time in 2018.” CNBC, CNBC, 7 May 2019, www.cnbc.com/2019/05/07/digital-ad-revenue-in-the-us-topped-100-billion-for-the-first-time.html.
Newman, Daniel, and Author: Daniel Newman Daniel Newman is the Principal Analyst of Futurum Research and the CEO of Broadsuite Media Group. Living his life at the intersection of people and technology. “Social Media Will Invade Your Inbox and Reimagine Work.” Future Of Work, 15 Dec. 2014, fowmedia.com/social-media-invade-inbox-reimagine-.
SWNS.com. “Families Spend Less Than 40 Minutes a Day Together.” Digitalhub, SWNS.com, 30 Mar. 2016, www.swnsdigital.com/2016/03/families-spend-less-than-40-minutes-a-day-together/.