The Negative Impact of Technology on Interpersonal Relationships

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Over the last century, information technology, such as the Internet, has brought our society forward and helps us get through life more efficiently and conveniently. In addition, it helps making global communication easier and faster as compared to hand-written mails that may take days if not weeks to reach its intended recipient. However, with such luxury and convenience, there is a debate whether the way we currently interact with fellow human beings with the help of technology is good or bad to our personal relationships. The Internet has increased the amount of communication globally, yet ironically the very technology that helps us increase our communication hinders our ability to socialize effectively in real life and create a healthy interpersonal relationship.

Communicating online too much could hinder our ability to socialize effectively in the real life and interpersonal relationship. People in today’s generation love to communicate on the Internet. Due to the incredible convenience the Internet provides, people became socially dependent on it, therefore their time became preoccupied in front of the computer. Kids who grew up during the computer age show that they lack social skills. They would also feel uncomfortable and awkward when talking to people face to face. This is because they mostly isolate themselves in front of the computer chatting and meeting with people online. Due to lack of knowing other persons’ body cues, facial expression, miscommunication can occur. They are often unaware of the other member’s main idea and simply misinterpreting them.

Furthermore, Internet users who use the internet for their relationship will tend to lose patience to conduct social relations in the real world. People who commu...

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...n them and their friends. Online predators mainly exist on the Internet, because they take advantage of the anonymity that social networking sites provide. They usually treat their victims with kindness, attention and even gifts. Once the predator build trust with their victim, they will try to meet them in real life in hope that they can fulfill their fantasies of having sexual encounter with underage kids.

After doing more research in the impact of technology on interpersonal relation, I realized that technology isn’t all that great, because it hinder us from socializing practically and create a healthy interpersonal relationship. In like manner, the same goes for online dating because in my opinion, effective communication still needs to be done in person. Body language, voice tone, and physical contact make a huge difference in making conversation more alive.

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