Does Technology Play a Role in Making People Feel More Isolated?

We all are aware of how technology made life less complicated for humankind. It is
referred to as the use of technical and scientific knowledge to develop, monitor, and design
machines. We cannot deny the fact that the world is currently dependent upon technology,
and everyone from the young to the elderly appears to be heavily committed.
Technology has had an impact on every aspect of society, and it has even contributed to
improving efficiency and effectiveness. Yet, some argue that it promotes laziness and
causes individuals to focus more on the fun aspects of it rather than working and making
good use of their time. While some of the aforementioned may be true, it is indisputable
that technology has greatly contributed to enhancing our lives and altering things for the
better. The incorporation of technology breakthroughs into various aspects of our life has
aided the transformation of the world and the improvement of efficiency in nearly
everything we do.
Technology has its share of advantages, some of which are: first is the ease of access to
information. The World Wide Web, or www, has transformed the world into a communal
village. This is because the internet makes information from all around the world readily
available. While the majority of the news we read on social media is factual, we might also
find visual results for specific topics. Not only is there more news available, but all of this
information is also easily accessible. The second is ease of mobility, have you ever
considered a life without a car or a bicycle? Certainly not because technology has buried
these issues beneath our feet. The value of a vehicle can simply be measured by the fact
that the distance between the United States and Australia is about 15,187 kilometers, but it
takes just 16-17 hours to drive. Modern technology has, without a doubt, superseded older
technologies. And we can't conceive how our lives would be without it. Letters were the
most prevalent mode of communication less than a century ago, but no one would consider
writing one today because why would anyone prefer a parchment over a video call? This
brings us to the third advantage of technology, that is, better communication means. Fourth
is that disabled people are no longer disabled. Almost anything is now feasible thanks to
modern science and technology. Brails based on electronic pulses have recently been
developed. Artificial feet, smart sticks, and other devices have been invented. Lastly, as a
student, I can say that technology has been of great aid not just for students but for
instructors also especially during this time of pandemic where the facilitation of classes
and any other forms of interaction is mainly administered on technological devices. These
devices paved the way for hundreds of students not only in the Philippines but all around
the world to continue learning amidst this pandemic. Furthermore, it has also improved the
skills of our teachers and helped them integrate scientific methods to bring motivation to
us, their students.
Technology is indeed very beneficial, but just like any other things, it is a dual-edged sword
that also has its downsides. Dependence on new technology is one. It is no longer necessary
for man to think. Even if the calculator is a good invention, man no longer uses his memory
or performs mental calculations. Unemployment is likely to rise as human capital declines.
In some cases, technology can take the role of the human mind. Community etiquette also
has not yet caught up with technonogical advancements. Despite announcements in movie
theaters instructing spectators to turn off their phones, some people still do so while
watching a movie with a highly lighted screen or a ringing phone. Several people use the
anonymity of the Internet to distribute false information or leave hateful comments on
websites. Cyberbullying is a frequent problem, but bullying laws are new and often difficult
to enforce, in part due to difficulties identifying perpetrators from their digital identities.
Identity thieves can break into accounts using technology, while impersonators can access
social networking profiles. Moreover, cyberbullying is a frequent problem, but bullying
laws are new and often difficult to enforce, in part due to difficulties identifying
perpetrators from their digital identities. Identity thieves can break into accounts using
technology, while impersonators can access social networking profiles. With all the new
regulations governing internet access and standard etiquette in the digital world, I can say
that privacy concerns and information sharing have yet to be fully addressed.
However, with all the risks that I have mentioned, I would like to emphasize this certain
disadvantage, that is, isolation. Ironically, the technologically dependent populace is
becoming increasingly separated from interpersonal interaction, although being more
connected than ever. That direct touch is minimized by connecting more in ways that do
not entail face-to-face interaction, such as through chat rooms, SMS, forums, and websites.
Spending more time alone in front of a computer than out in public reduces social
interaction, while letter writing and even phone talks are also declining. Society is
becoming more individualized and even alienated from face-to-face interaction as a result
of this heavy usage of technology. From what I have experienced and continue to
experience, I’m afraid to unplug from technology because of the thought that I’m missing
out on something important if I’m not always connected. We may, in fact, be missing out on
face-to-face interaction with our neighbors. Also, according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs,
the need to be loved comes after the need for food and shelter. We yearn for commitment,
love, and connections. To meet this urge, we must engage in human connection and venture
beyond our comfort zones. Technology, on the other hand, is a barrier that separates us
from people. We yearn for relationships, but we are enslaved to our electronics, making it
difficult to leave our screens and interact with others. Furthermore, by removing the
human element of touch and depending so much on technology, online hazards such as
misrepresentation on social forums and potential predators in chat rooms are increasing. I
can also attest to this kind of feeling now that we are still facing up to this date wherein, no
matter how I frequent me and my friends talk on various social media platforms that we
have an account in, I still feel like I’m alone, that no matter how long our conversations
were, it doesn’t affect me, and I still feel like I’m isolated from the rest of the world. And it
scares me to the point that I feel like my mental health is slowly deteriorating given the fact
that my old self which is an extrovert who never stops blabbing about something suddenly
stopped going out and meet her friends or peers.
Our social abilities are harmed by technology. We no longer interact physically with our
peers. We prefer social media connection, Instagram likes make us feel superior, and
technology is pulling us apart, not just in the form of social media but also in the form of
games and other forms of entertainment. We cannot deny that technology has great effects
on our lives, but it also has detrimental impacts. Advanced technology has altered our
lifestyles, resulting in increased social distance. One of the negative effects of technology is
the feeling of being alone. Companies spend time and money to create a sense of loneliness
or isolation, then make their software so addictive that individuals use it excessively to feel
connected. As a result, their brain becomes bored and unhappy, and they feel even more
alone and alienated. It is, however, up to us to break this habit; we may go out and not use
those things; after all, they are just tools, and the choice is always ours. Also, just like any
other thing, technology has its own set of constraints. It is up to us to decide how will we
use it in a useful way without abusing it.