Compared to the previous generations, technology has drastically and very rapidly changed the way we communicate with each other, around the world. In fact, the changes have been so significant and fast that traditional types of communications like letters, telegraphs and even phone calls are fading away to oblivion. Through these advancements in technology, we now have more control over how we communicate than ever before, and have more options. It is also faster, almost instant.
Perhaps, the most notable technological advancement that has changed the way we communicate with others is video chats, messages, meetings or conferences. It makes talking to friends and family more personal. For businesses, video conferences make it easier to see what is going on, view charts and data, view presentations and more and all live. During the Covid-19 pandemic we experienced it most and with 5G now entering the platform it is bound to take communication to the next level.
It all started with text messaging when mobile phones replaced pagers and have only improved from there on. We can now send a text message within seconds and add images, emojis and other effects to friends and family members around the world. If you have compatible smart-phones, like two iPhones, you can send iMessages which has plenty of options for personalising your messages.
In the past, we were locked into one of the few traditional phone companies and a slave to their rates especially, with regards to STD and international phone calls. Nowadays, we do not even have to worry about any of these fees because we have communication option like the WhatsApp. In fact social media apps like private messaging in Facebook and twitter are also means to communicate faster.
Social media has not only changed the way we communicate, but it has also revolutionised our daily lives in many ways like web browsing, connecting with others and getting the news. For example, we can get news quicker via social media than traditional outlets like radio and television. Yes, the ever changing technology has completely changed the ways we now communicate, unheard off barely two decades ago.
However, the influence of modern technologies on interpersonal communication has a lot of advantages as well as disadvantages. The world is like a global village where people can communicate with each other from all corners of our planet. It facilitates people’s lives in many ways. People can keep in touch at long distances. There are a lot of opportunities on the Internet. People can earn money, have an education and even fall in love via the Internet. Marriages are taking place on Internet and it is not surprising. Although the use of the Internet has enlarged the social circles of many people it makes it quite complicated to communicate face to face.
Irony is on Internet communication, many of the times emotions are lacking and sometimes it can lead to misinformation too. Each individual may provide only the information which he/she wants and as the result, both of them have wrong representation and unrealistic expectations about each other. The bonds between people become less firm and it changes human relationships in the whole society. People are gradually becoming lonely despite the hundreds of virtual friends. The technology is present but emotions are lacking.
Another ill which has affected the present generation is the writing of correct spelling and grammar. People who spend a lot of time communicating via the Internet are accustomed to using acronyms, emoticons and abbreviations in their writing which spoil their communicating skills. It becomes more difficult for young people to be eloquent in real communication and to express their thoughts in an appropriate way. And, there is no control. It is not a class room and there are no teachers to correct it. Yes, technology has given us the platform to communicate faster. However, whether the communication is better or not is a point to be pondered upon.