Every day, people use their smartphones or computers to communicate through chat rooms and text messages. Social media has replaced traditional mail by allowing us to constantly connect with a wide network of individuals. As a result, we now have multiple relationships through technology. These platforms provide numerous opportunities to form various connections with people and information.
The impact of social media on interactions is negative, resulting in a decrease in authentic conversations, altered perceptions of others, and an uptick in cyberbullying. Consequently, there is a reduction in personal encounters and a propensity to mask emotions through written messages. This pattern is particularly evident at work, where electronic communication has surpassed face-to-face or vocal correspondence.
The dispersion of business across different locations and the discomfort that a growing segment of our employee population, namely Gen Y and Millennials, have with traditional interpersonal communication, are two major forces driving a significant shift. According to research, these generations will make up over 50% of the workforce by 2020 and prefer using instant messaging or social media instead of visiting an office and engaging in face-to-face conversations. This preference for new forms of communication creates generational gaps within organizations as Boomers struggle to adapt to the expectations and norms of their younger employees, and vice versa.
According to Adoration 3, business managers should consider the impact of current trends on business relationships and the ability to effectively communicate, build trust, and engage employees. Paul Booth, PhD, an assistant professor at Default University in Chicago, emphasizes that social media has significantly impacted our interactions across all platforms and age groups. He points out a shift in communication style towards mediated communication such as email and texting rather than face-to-face interaction (Adoration 3). Research by Booth suggests that people have become more social and interactive through social media but this has resulted in a decrease in face-to-face meetings. As a result, interactions on social media are often seen as weaker ties compared to those made during personal conversations.
According to Booth, the increase in communication does not necessarily lead to stronger relationships. This suggests that interactions between people are more superficial. Additionally, social media has contributed to technology addiction, where individuals prioritize their smartphones over engaging with those around them. Bowman explains that some people feel so attached to their online identity that it becomes difficult for them to separate virtual actions from real-life ones. This highlights the extent to which our phones and social media platforms define a part of our identity. Therefore, our actions and online presence on social media websites contribute to shaping who we are.
Furthermore, social media has revolutionized how we perceive one another both physically and emotionally. This transformation is evident in various aspects, such as profile pictures and our communication through messaging. Forbes.com provides a fascinating instance of a text conversation that was misunderstood. The exchange involved Sharon Saline and her daughter who is attending college. They talked about their respective experiences, with the mother asking inquiries and the daughter responding enthusiastically. Emoticons were utilized to convey feelings of joy, extreme joy, and love.
Later that night, her daughter attempted suicide. It was later discovered that she had been secluding herself in her dorm room, crying and exhibiting signs of depression – a clear contradiction to the optimistic persona she portrayed through texts, social media updates, and online conversations. Written communication methods such as text messages, emails, social media posts, and web chats make it effortless for individuals to deceive others. They have the ability to construct any desired identity and fabricate a misleading façade. Nevertheless, the lack of nonverbal cues makes their recipients unaware of the reality.
Studies have shown that written words account for only 7% of communication, while nonverbal body language makes up the remaining 93% (Adoration 3). Without the ability to effectively express ourselves and interpret the emotions of others through nonverbal cues, our communication skills are significantly diminished. Another user on the online platform Backbone, named Walter Woodman, carefully selected only the pictures that made him appear attractive and similarly curated his interests and personality traits (You 1) .
The adoption of social media platforms has led to the use of a digital facade, hiding our true selves from others. Tests and Backbone profiles further distance us from our authentic identity, showing others an altered version of who we truly are. Social media serves as a shield for young individuals, causing a rise in cyberbullying among children and teenagers. As stated on osteopathic.org, cyberbullying has become more widespread alongside traditional forms of physical and verbal bullying in schools. This includes offensive text messages and derogatory posts on children’s Backbone pages.
Even without direct interaction, cyber-bullying can have significant emotional and psychological effects. Monitoring new media and cell phones is challenging for parents, so they need to take action to protect their children from the consequences of cyber-bullying. Jennifer N. Caudal, a board-certified family physician at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, highlights that bullying victims frequently experience anxiety, depression, isolation, unhappiness, and disruptions in sleep patterns.
According to Keller, victims of bullying often conceal their experiences due to shame or fear, which leads to the unnoticed ramifications. Similar to traditional bullying, Bowman argues that accessibility has comparable effects. However, social media platforms amplify these effects by reaching a larger audience and promoting increased interaction and public visibility (Keller 2).
In instances of bullying, victims often have the option to temporarily distance themselves from their surroundings. Yet, there is worry that ongoing digital interactions between bullies and targets could exacerbate the issue, since the impact of bullying can intensify as time passes (Keller 2). It is typical for victims to respond in a passive manner and display signs of anxiety and diminished self-assurance.
Being bullied can lead to decreased engagement in class and hindered academic success and personal well-being for students. However, social media platforms facilitate interaction and communication among teenagers and adults in multiple ways. These platforms allow teens to carry out various offline activities online, such as staying connected with loved ones, making new friends, sharing photos, and exchanging thoughts and ideas.
Engaging in social media offers adolescents numerous benefits that influence their self-perception, the community, and the world. This includes opportunities to participate in fundraising for charity and local events, whether they are political or related to imagination. By showcasing artistic and musical projects, both individual and collaborative creativity can be enhanced. Additionally, teenagers can develop their ideas by creating blogs, contributing to message boards, sharing videos, and exploring gaming platforms.
Social media sites provide the means for individuals to broaden their online connections based on shared interests, encompassing individuals from varied backgrounds (such interaction being crucial for adolescents as it promotes mutual respect, tolerance, and enhanced discussions regarding personal and global matters). Additionally, social media platforms enhance the development of one’s unique identity and social skills by allowing individuals to share their preferences in music and movies (Clarke-Pearson 1). These observations demonstrate that social media offers a secure and significant space for individuals to nurture their distinct personalities and thoughts.
Regardless of these facts, my argument remains valid as social media platforms encourage cyberbullying and undermine authentic conversation. Moreover, they alter individuals’ perspectives, collectively adding to the detrimental effect on self-esteem and communication skills caused by social media. Furthermore, social media distorts our perception of others, resulting in a deceptive representation of ourselves.
The use of social media platforms has transformed communication by offering users numerous connections and methods to remain connected. Nevertheless, these platforms also yield adverse effects, like reducing face-to-face interactions. If chat rooms and instant messages were not so widely utilized, we might have more opportunities for important social interactions in our current society.
