E-Connections: Do Social Media Help or Hurt Our Relationships?

We currently live in a world full of electronics that surround us in our everyday lives, whether it is in school with computers or out and about with an iPod or a cell phone. This has been causing a few problems between relationships, let alone growing to be an “ongoing debate over the impact of social media.” 
 
Many people have been isolating themselves from the rest of the world and focusing on staying in contact through an electronic device. In 2009, a study by Miller McPherson, Lynn Smith-Lovin and Matthew Brashears showed that “since 1985, Americans have become much more socially isolated and have fewer connections with their neighbors…one cause may be the dramatic rise in…mobile devices…” This study lead to many other investigations done by other organizations. 
 
One done by the Pew Research Center found that in a “typical year, face-to-face contacts occurred an average of 210 days compared to 195 days of mobile phone contact, 125 days of text messaging, 72 days of email contact, and 55 days of instant messaging.” This is now being viewed as a way of life instead of a type of popular trend.
I have to agree that the cell phones, and the internet alone with all of its social networks have messed up the way that people communicate; and soon growing to a point where people won’t even know how to approach each other on the street. Sometimes there is no other way of contacting a person but through an electrical device, but I think there should be more of an effort made to limit the use of electronics. Some people even sleep with their phones right next to them causing them to have a lack of sleep, or when on vacation with the family ruining a moment that should be cherished as a family.

Does the Social media help or hurt our relationships with people?

2 comments:

Sarah Menta said...

Social media in my opinion definitely hurts relationships. The biggest technique bullies, for example, use these days is cyber bullying, where they IM or post cruel things on Facebook. Also, cellphones are such a distraction when you spend time with friends or family. Phones in fact probably are a big cause for fights amongst people. Without them, I think relationships would be more healthier and not have constant distractions.

lscerrato said...

I believe the social media does hurt relationships with people because when you start going on the computer too much it leads teenagers into going on Facebook and distracting them when their trying to do their homework or something important. it also leads them into gossiping and starting drama on Facebook by looking at comments and other peoples business since Facebook is very open. the same concept goes with phones, there a big distraction when your with friends and family and in school trying to concentrate because you will always be texting and not listening to the person in front of you.