New Communication Technologies Are Having an Adverse Effect on the Way We Communicate Essay Example
Communication is the “exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behaviour”, while technology is defined as “A body of knowledge used to create tools, develop skills, and extract or collect materials” – taken from Answers.com. Since the emergence of new technologies, conventional face-to-face interaction, while not yet obsolete, has been replaced by mobile technology and communication via the Internet as the most common form of communication in our global society. While on the surface communicating via technology is cheap, instant and convenient, our reliance on it, is clearly posing serious concerns about the way that we communicate through the written and spoken word in the English language. As communication methods change rapidly on both an individual and societal level, I intend to explore the suggestion that it may have an adverse effect on the way we communicate.
A study conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Project (Dec 2007), found that although teenagers have access to multiple forms of communication, only 35 percent listed ‘personal human interaction’ as an everyday means of communication. The leading means of communication included SMS and Instant Messaging, with 60 percent and 54 percent of teens, respectively, stating them as their primary means of communication.
As technologies advance, so do our means of communicating. The reasons behind the increased dependence are many. Benefits such as low costs and convenience are not the only factors that influence our choice to use SMS, IM, Chat Rooms and E-Mail. The mentioned forms act as a ‘silent’ form of communication, as we are no longer are users worried about others overhearing the conversation.
As the result of a sense of anonymity, communication via these methods also allows us to express thoughts, opinions and ideas, that we would not, say face-to-face.
In the global community, these communication tools do not interfere with our busy lives. Time
A study conducted by Pew Internet and American Life Project (Dec 2007), found that although teenagers have access to multiple forms of communication, only 35 percent listed ‘personal human interaction’ as an everyday means of communication. The leading means of communication included SMS and Instant Messaging, with 60 percent and 54 percent of teens, respectively, stating them as their primary means of communication.
As technologies advance, so do our means of communicating. The reasons behind the increased dependence are many. Benefits such as low costs and convenience are not the only factors that influence our choice to use SMS, IM, Chat Rooms and E-Mail. The mentioned forms act as a ‘silent’ form of communication, as we are no longer are users worried about others overhearing the conversation.
As the result of a sense of anonymity, communication via these methods also allows us to express thoughts, opinions and ideas, that we would not, say face-to-face.
In the global community, these communication tools do not interfere with our busy lives. Time