Student 1

Amazing Student

Amy Griffin

Writing Exposition

16 May 2019

Fifty years ago, no one could have foreseen the technological changes that have swept

through our society, altering the very way we communicate not only with our family and

friends, but potentially with people from around the world whom we never have met nor ever

will meet. The development of technological applications and devices, especially in the last

10–15 years, has altered the way we communicate not only in our face-to-face interpersonal

relationships, but also has enhanced our ability to communicate with people all around the

world. While many would argue that this newfound ability to be in contact with so many

people so easily has positively affected our interpersonal relationships, the overall impact has

been negative. Technology has negatively impacted our ability to communicate in face-to-

face situations in addition to shortening our attention spans even in the company of friends

and loved ones.

With the ease of emailing and texting, which require no face-to-face contact and the

accompanying emotion that it reveals, humans are losing the social skills to navigate face-to-

face encounters. Relationships, by nature, require the communication and transfer of what

can be seen as difficult information, for example, rejection. Courage and social skills are

required to reject a friend or loved one, and these skills require practice. Having to

experience the difficult task of rejecting someone face-to-face can allow you to be "more real

with a person, allowing a deeper relationship to form" (Suler). As a society, it is imperative

that the ability to navigate both the pleasurable and painful aspects of relationships be
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maintained. Human beings deserve the contact and attention that face-to-face relationships

demand.

Additionally, technology has served to shorten our attention spans to the extent that

many people are distracted by technology while involved in face-to-face situations. It is an all

too common scene to see several people sitting at a table at a restaurant, each of them

preoccupied with their cell phones or other devices. The internet has given users access to a

great amount of information as well as potential people with which to be in contact. Not only

can people immediately access those closest to them, but it also "gives us the luxury to keep

low-involvement relationships—past contacts, former classmates, etc. together" (Levy, qtd.

in Kang). With access to innumerable social contacts, it is little wonder why so many find

this an irresistible temptation, even if it comes at the cost of ignoring those in physical

presence.

It could be argued that the benefits of this availability to be in contact with many

different people outweigh any potential negative effects. While technology does provide a

convenient and quick manner with which to contact the closest to the most distant relations,

the distracting nature of technology and the potential loss of social skills are evidence of the

detrimental effects on interpersonal relationships. Social skills are too important to be

discounted and can provide such meaningful aspects to our lives that risk being lost to the

online equivalent of a hug (Suler). Humans have needs and deserve the attention of others

and should not have to be secondary figures behind technology.

An ability to communicate the most positive to the most negative of human feelings,

thoughts, and emotions is a social skill that, to lose, would be a great loss to civilization.

These skills require attention from those involved in these relationships, and technology is

serving to weaken the attention that members of society are able to give to one another.

While there are advantages to be able to quickly and conveniently communicate thoughts,
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feelings, and needs to the important relations that constitute life, the disadvantages are even

greater. As respectful human beings, a balance must be found between embracing the

advantages of technology, while preserving the aspects of relationships that separate human

beings from the other species.

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Works Cited

Kang, Cecilia. "The Internet Is Redefining Our Relationships, Reputations: Pew Study

Says." The Washington Post, 6 July 2010.

voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/07/users_only_beginning_to_unders.html.

Suler, John. "The Final Showdown Between In-Person and Online Relationships." Sept.

2004. truecenterpublishing.com/psycyber/showdown.html.