Technology's Negative Effects on Social Interaction

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The 21st century saw a rapid growth and development of mobile phone technology. Just a decade ago it was rare to find a mobile phone with internet connectivity. Nowadays even the most standard phone has internet access, along with the ability to take photos, check your calendar, or run one of thousands of applications available. Mobile phones have certainly changed the way we interact with people, but is this shift a positive one? This essay will argue that the negative effects of communication through mobiles outweigh the positive effects. It will be argued that mobile phones provide a vapid substitute for real human interactions, and favouring this method of communication may disrupt family cohesion, cause antisocial behaviour, and provide false social satisfaction. The first negative aspect of interacting through mobile phones is the potential they have to act as a social shield. For example, if someone were to invite their friend, face-to-face, over to their house to play video games, then that friend might feel obligated to say yes, lest they feel like a bad friend. Whether this friend has a good time or not; they tried, and probably further developed that friendship. If, however, this person were to invite their friend over a text message, it would be far easier for the recipient of the text to decline or not reply at all. Resulting in the sender feeling rejected. Furthermore, this social shield has also led to people texting things that should be experienced face-to-face, such as breaking up via text message or delivering the news of a death in the family over a phone call. This happens simply because it’s less awkward or easier; depriving people of the closure that can only be attained through direct conversations. But the... ... middle of paper ... ...ssage on a regular basis. It may seem social networking sites and text messages are godsends that allow people to maintain close relationships with loved ones, with the added ability to build close relationships with an even greater number of people. But these modern forms of communication could be social traps that give you a feeling of satisfaction with your intimate relationships without actually developing or furthering them. Although I thoroughly believe we are in the golden age of mobile phones, and the technology will continue to advance steadily, I also think we must proceed cautiously and monitor how big a role technology plays in our communication with one another. While I cannot present any answers that might ameliorate the negative effects of mobile phones on social interaction, I might suggest that we all make an effort to interact in a more direct way.

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