Social Interactions

Many us spend hours in front of our computer and communicate more by e-mail or instant messaging than in person. Some people believe that this is good because it helps shy people communicate more openly with others. Others believe that computer communication prevents us from developing interpersonal skills and limits our ability to have meaningful relationships with others. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific reasons and examples to support your position.

We are currently living in a society in which we are truly at the mercy of our machines. Nearly every aspect of our lives involves technology and I highly doubt that a large majority of people would be able to survive, if their technological advantages were to fail them. Although technology does have many positive aspects, it cripples many people to the point at which they cannot even process information without a computer. Yes, people do use e-mail and instant messaging websites as a means of communication, but I strongly believe that computer communication prevents people from developing substantial relationships with others because most people on the internet claim to be someone they are not and it further enhances shyness, due to lack of face to face interactions.

Social networking websites are not only limited to the country or area that you may live in. The Internet reaches well over one million people around the world. With that being said, it is uncertain if the person you are communicating with, is who they claim to be. It is simple to claim someone else’s identity online because there are no questions that verify one’s true identity, on social networking websites. For example, on the popular website Myspace, ordinary people often create profiles in which they claim to be a celebrity. Sexual predators often make profiles that appeal to young women by lying about their age, looks, and even claim personal characteristics that they do not posses. How can a person develop better social skills if they are secure in speaking to a person that may or may not be who they say they are? What differentiates face-to-face encounters from online encounters is that you are certain that what you see is what you get.

The Internet acts as a shield in which one can hide their true identity. Yes, a person can put all of their personal characteristics and be very open to the people on the Internet, but unless you plan on spending your entire life speaking to people through social networking sites, then you will never really break out of your shell. I used to be a very shy person when I was younger and I did not hide behind a desk to further enhance my shyness. Instead, I took it upon myself to reach out to people, and I slowly overcame my shyness. If someone has the ability to hide behind something to prevent him or her from facing their fears, than they will take that chance. In my opinion, social networking sites diminish a person’s social skills in the real world. I view face-to-face interactions as a practice for presentations. A person can develop a more articulate form of speaking; learn how to speak in particular situations, and one can even develop charisma.

A computer is merely a devised you to make our lives easier. Although there are millions of tasks a computer can perform, a computer can never think, nor express emotions. If we try to make technology represent who we are, then we will not know how to behave without the bright, electron mass in front of us, at all times. E-mail and social networking sites prevent people from developing substantial relationships because it is simple to pose as someone or something you aren’t and it enhances shyness. It is unhealthy for humans to interact with one another through technology because if it were to fail us, the world would consist of walking zombies.