Topic: Has technology negatively affected our ability to communicate with each other? Did you know the average teenager in the United States spends 9 hours a day in the digital world (Dodgen-Magee)? The average time teenagers sleep is 7 hours a day, which means they spend most of their day in the digital world (Nationwide Children's Hospital). Teenagers are creating a dependency and addiction on technology that is changing the way they communicate with their peers and the rest of the world. Most people would agree that technology enables us to communicate faster and easier with people worldwide and helps strengthen relationships with family and friends. Nevertheless, the increased use of technology has negatively affected our social skills and ability to communicate with each other which can have dangerous effects on our mental, physical and emotional health. Teenagers nowadays replace face to face communication with online communication because they prefer to spend more time on technology. However, this lack of social interaction leads to social isolation. According to a 2010 survey, loneliness has doubled since 1980 and spending more time on online social interactions has an adverse effect on the user’s happiness level and mental health (Olien). Experts argue that social media is not always bad, through the use of technology and social communication, people can express themselves in ways they might find difficult in face to face interaction. People who feel like outcasts can find other people with their same interests and desires online, making them feel secure and accompanied (Sherrell). Nevertheless, the continued use of social communication has led teenagers to prefer social media over physical and social interaction. According to a 2019 study, teenagers who use social media for more than 3 hours a day are more likely to suffer mental health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, insecurity and antisocial behavior (Sherrell). When teenagers favor social media over physical and social interaction, the need for face to face communication is reduced. As the infographic shows, nowadays teens are spending around 7 ½ hours a day looking at screens, communicating via text message or social media, and having access to everything in the palm of their hands (Hunt). Consequently, when teenagers engage in this exclusive online communication, it hinders their ability to interact socially (Plumridge). Despite its disadvantages, technology is a tool that helps us communicate faster with people all around the world. Through the use of technology, people can seek information, gain knowledge and foster long distance relationships with friends and family. However, researcher Nicole Plumridge disagrees, “While the internet has opened up a new realm of possibilities in terms of connecting with people across the globe, at any time, there are inherent factors in online communication that limit its ability to promote the same levels of satisfaction as traditional face-toface communication.” Face to face interaction allows young people to understand each other better, to strengthen relationships and to create memories. Being able to read nonverbal cues, tone and body language allows people to connect with each other more effectively (Chan). Technology has not only reduced the need for face to face interaction, but has also caused teenagers to be distracted with their devices during the little amount of face to face interaction they do engage in. Consequently, they are unable to connect effectively with their peers. Young people compulsively check their phones, causing distractions and interruptions while spending time with other people, which decreases a person’s quality of life. According to a Common Sense survey on teenagers in 2012, “Nearly half (44%) say they get frustrated with their friends for being on their phones when they’re hanging out together, yet an even greater proportion (54%) admit that they get distracted by social media when they should be paying more attention to the people that they’re with (Steinmetz).” Yet, some people may challenge this idea based on the fact that phones are helpful in making our lives easier by giving us access to information and being able to do things without being physically there. People have all their life in their phones, they have all their contacts, memories and pictures. It is also important to be attentive to your phone in case of an emergency or important issue, since it is the main form of communication today. While it is true that phones are now an indispensable tool in life, face to face interactions without the use of screens create stronger and deeper relationships, and helps decrease the incidence of suffering dependency and mental health problems. According to a Harvard study, phones are like a drug, every time we get a notification or have a successful online interaction, dopamine is released, causing a positive sensation that makes you want more, which eventually leads to addiction (Haynes). Taking a break from using your phone increases quality of life, by decreasing anxiety, reducing the need to multitask, increasing happiness and allowing you to connect with people in real time. In our daily life, communication helps us build relationships through the exchange of ideas, feelings, experiences and needs, which people need to survive. The development of technology has had an impact on the way we communicate with each other, allowing us to keep in touch with people around the world. However, technology has also changed communication in a negative way, having a direct impact on teenagers' social development and mental health. The lack of face to face interaction increases the amount of time teenagers spend on their phones, which leads to social isolation. The more teenagers use their phones to replace physical communication, the more likely they are to feel depressed, lonely and isolated. The more time teenagers are allowed to spend on their phones, the more their social development is being affected, costing them their ability to effectively communicate and express their feelings in a healthy way. Limiting the amount of time spent on technology to 2-3 hours a day can improve quality of life, increase happiness levels and reduce mental health issues. So get up and talk to the person closest to you, choose the human over the screen. Part C: Infographic Paste your infographic here. Works Cited: Chan , Melanie. “The Dying Art of Conversation – Has Technology Killed Our Ability to Talk Faceto-Face?” The Conversation, 29 May 2019, https://theconversation.com/the-dying-art-ofconversation-has-technology-killed-our-ability-to-talk-face-to-face-112582. Dodgen-Magee, Doreen. “Opinions.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 18 Mar. 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/. Haynes, Trevor. “Dopamine, Smartphones & You: A Battle for Your Time.” Science in the News, Harvard University, 4 Feb. 2021, https://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/dopaminesmartphones-battle-time/. Hunt, Gordon. “Evolution of Technology and Teens.” Silicon Republic, 21 May 2015, https://www.siliconrepublic.com/life/teens-and-technology-90s-noughties-and-nowinfographic. Nationwide Children's Hospital. “Sleep in Adolescents.” Nationwide Children's Hospital, 2003, https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/sleep-disorder-center/sleep-inadolescents#:~:text=The%20average%20amount%20of%20sleep,9%20%C2%BC%20hours%20of %20sleep. Olien, Jessica. “Loneliness Can Kill You. Don't Let It.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 23 Aug. 2013, https://slate.com/technology/2013/08/dangers-of-loneliness-social-isolation-is-deadlier-thanobesity.html. Plumridge, Nicole. “Communication: Online vs. Face-to-Face Interactions.” Psychminds, 13 Apr. 2020, https://psychminds.com/communication-online-vs-face-to-face-interactions/. Sherrell, Zia. “Social Media and Mental Health: Depression and Psychological Effects.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 15 Sept. 2021, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/social-media-and-mental-health. Steinmetz, Katy. “Teens Are over Face-to-Face Communication, Study Says.” Time, Time, 10 Sept. 2018, https://time.com/5390435/teen-social-media-usage/.
