In the XXI century, technology seems to have integrated into people’s everyday life. People use various devices for work, leisure and communication purposes. The latter, however, raises a number of concerns. Seeing how the recent technological advances, especially the creation of social network, has reduced the number of real-life interactions, the threat of technology getting in the way of people’s communication skills development has become an issue.
It is wrong to assume that technology has a solely negative impact on people’s communication skills. Despite some of its effects are admittedly bad, with people losing their skill of live communication, modern technology, such as social network, allows for more options in communicating process, helping people transcend the physical boundaries between them and engage in real-time communication.
One of the key arguments that depict technology in general and social networking in particular in an unfavorable light when it comes to communication skills development is that technology does not allow for non-verbal communication.
In a way, the given argument can be considered legitimate, since most social networks do not involve the visualization of the participants of the conversation in any way. However, it is worth keeping in mind that a number of programs also used for online communication create the premises for non-verbal communication as well via a webcam.
Since most arguments concerning the flaws of online communication boil down to the lack of non-verbal elements, and have, in fact, been proven wrong, it will be most reasonable to check the advantages that technologies provide for the communication process.
To start with, technologies do not simply help the people who are not currently in the vicinity get in touch, but also contribute to the evolution of economics, education and culture by helping people working in the aforementioned spheres cooperate and, thus, create something impressive.
For instance, with the help of technologies, including social network and devices that help communicate more efficiently, several people are able to coordinate an important experiment, therefore, analyzing their progress in a more efficient manner.
Another doubtless effect that technology has on communication concerns the fact that, with the assistance of various devices, one can possibly transcend the boundaries between different cultures, starting with language barriers and up to more efficient learning of the specifics of another culture, including non-verbal communication, basic concepts, etc.
What takes years to learn without specific devices, e.g., language, traditions, key concepts, etc., can be learned within months or even weeks with the help of a corresponding interactive program and virtual communication with native speakers.
Despite the fact that at present, it is widely believed that the recent technological innovations, such as social networks and programs for communication, such as Skype, as well as numerous MMO RPGs, which are, in fact, a form of escapism, pose a threat to people’s communication skills, in many respects, technologies improve communication.
While such simulators of real life communication as MMO RPGs or social networking do engulf people into a specific realm where they can enjoy conversations without actually having to care much about their vis-à-vis emotions, feelings or non-verbal messages, they still allow for more options in communication.
Therefore, though relying solely on technologies as the means to engage into everyday conversations can hardly seem appropriate, technological advances as additional options for improving the quality of distanced conversation still must be appreciated and developed even further.