Effects of Technology on Social Interaction & Human Relations

In today’s fast paced world, technology plays a major role in our day to day life, and within a few years from now, our social life will become totally dependant on it. Technology has done wonders to make our lives easy but have we ever thought what impact it can have on human relations? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons.

PRO: Reunite with long-lost friends

• The advent of social networking sites and platforms like facebook, twitter etc provides an opportunity to find and get in touch with our long-lost friends. It’s a great feeling to find an old buddy with whom you couldn‘t possibly have reconnected without such a brilliant form of technology.

PRO: Being in constant touch

• In todays society when our family and friends are scattered geographically all over the world, the advances in technology has made it very convenient to stay in touch and even see each other via video conferences by using skype, gtalk etc.

PRO: Voice your opinion

• Social networking websites and other online forums are strong platforms to express your thoughts on any subject. Communicating with a larger audience to spread awareness, support a cause or to discuss contemporary topics is more effective and brings together people from different backgrounds to share their experiences.

CON: Less face to face interactions• Humans are social animals and social

interaction plays a key role in our society. Unfortunately, it is decreasing day by day. Root cause being more dependency on the web and modern communication gadgets. Although it keeps friends and families connected it does not maintain the same bond as meeting in person with your nears and dears.

CON: Lack of nonverbal interactions

• Non verbal interactions likes eye contact, expressions, touch etc. are very crucial forms of social interactions that are innate in humans but slowly these are slipping away from our lives. These interactions help us understand and to be understood in a way which cannot be compared to any other form of interaction.

CON: Fake Identities

• Most people maintain fake profiles on web. If you happen to bump into someone online, you never know who he/she might actually be in the real world. A lot of frauds and thugs use their fake identities to fool innocent people.

CON: Decline in outdoor activities

• The younger generation today opts for playing on an XBOX rather than playing on the field and interacting with other kids. The older ones too, are more interested in surfing the net or exploring their smart phones and tablets in leisure time instead of hanging out with friends and family. An active life is slowly giving way to a rather confined and lazy digital world.

Technology is undoubtedly one of the biggest human achievement till date. While using it to the right amount can be a great advantage, total addiction can affect our social life and human relations. Its up to us to decide whether to befriend it or let it be our master!