Does Technology Undermine Communication

Introduction

Communication is a crucial aspect of everyday life; effective communication is essential since it precipitates human interaction. With the advent of new technologies, communication has become more effective than in the past.  The internet has made communication efficient since it enables people to pass messages with a lot of ease. Through such platforms such as email, social networks, and blogs, communication can happen with a lot of ease. Studies indicate that technology significantly affects communication in positive ways; this means that technology does not undermine communication, but rather enhances communication. The paper will examine whether technology undermines communication or whether it makes communication possible. The arguments in the paper support the fact that technology does not undermine communication.

Discussion

Firstly, information and communication technologies have provided improved and new ways of spreading messages from one place to another. In the recent past, the world has witnessed technological revolution that has led to the emergence of new technologies, which people have relied on, to communicate. The positive impacts of technology form the basis for the argument that technology does not undermine communication. In this regard, one of the reasons why technology does not undermine communication is because technology has played a crucial role in reducing the barriers to communication. For example, people can communicate with a lot of ease with few difficulties being encountered. As a result of technology, there tends to be few barriers in communication since communication has become easy. Moreover, the speed at which communication takes place has increased. In this regard, therefore, it can be concluded that technology has made communication efficient as opposed to undermining it (Loos et. al 2008).

Further, technology has strengthened communication and not undermined it is through the use of such aspects as video teleconferencing when communicating. This can be evidenced by the fact that the corporate sector can hold meetings with a lot of ease, irrespective of where the parties involved are located. Technology has also had a positive impact on communication since it has strengthened the relationships between people. As a result of technology, it has become possible to communicate with old friends, as well as have strong relationships with colleagues and family members. Technology has gained widespread usage in higher education. With the current advancements in technology, student-instructor relationship has been strengthened. For instance, online discussion forums have proved instrumental in the education sector. Students do not have to attend classes since they can learn even when they cannot reach their teachers. Thus, the aspects of teleconferencing and online discussion forums have made communication efficient (Loos et. al 2008).

Moreover, technology has also enhanced communication in the business world; business persons can easily communicate with one another despite their location. The advent of the social media has enhanced business networking. Business persons can create their own networks and follow each other’s activities through these networks. The presence of companies online has enabled communication with clients from various parts of the world. Studies indicate that companies are linked with their clients via the internet. For example, clients can have access to the services and goods offered by a company by checking the company’s website. Organisations have used online platforms to reach out their customers. Through technology, business owners can link with suppliers and manufacturers who provide them with goods. Therefore, it can be concluded that technologies such as social media contribute to the creation of business networks (Lin & Atkin 2007).

Another reason why technology has also enhanced communication emanates from the fact that it has provided the means for reaching a large audience. Mostly, this has become the case with regard to issues such as activism and politics. Evidence shows that, with modern technology, videos and photos recorded through devices such as cell phones can be circulated through sharing them on YouTube, as well as websites. This has led to massive revolutions in most parts of the world. Activists used the social media to incite protestors. In the recent past, social and political activists have used social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to convey messages. Thus, the fact that technology helps in reaching a large audience is adequate evidence that it has significantly contributed to making communication effective (Lin & Atkin 2007).

Another significant aspect of technology is that it helps people to overcome disabilities. Through modern technological devices, persons suffering from disabilities have been able to communicate with a lot of ease. For example, people with hearing disabilities have benefitted a lot from technology since the advent of hearing aids has boosted hearing. Consequently, people who have hearing impairments can understand some aspects of speech and interact with other members of the society. Research shows that persons who have speech impairments can also express themselves through the use of speech generating devices.  Thus, the contribution of modern technology to assisting people with disabilities can be considered as one of the crucial ways through which it as enhanced communication (Solway 2010).

In addition, technology has continued to improve the world of communication in immense ways. Technological advances have brought people from different cultures closer to each other. As a result, interactions between cultures have strengthened over time. Modern communication has enhanced communication on a one-on-one basis. Therefore, messages can be sent and received simultaneously, without any delays. Technology has led to the emergence of communication programs such as Google Video Chat and Skype. With these technologies, people can see each other rather than just hearing the voices.  Thus, the ability of technology to bring people from various cultures portrays the immense benefits of technology in communication (Solway 2010).

Furthermore, improved human relations can be attributed to the numerous developments in technology. For example, websites that provide services such as chatting and dating have improved communication in remarkable ways. Studies show that, through technology, it has become possible to address some issues, which affect the society. People use technology to communicate with one another and spread crucial information about critical issues. As a result, people can be aware of the issues affecting them in society, as well as come up with solutions to the various problems. Technology has also affected communication positively since it has enhanced storage of information. Through modern communication technologies, information can be stored and retrieved later.  This ensures that information is not lost since there is use of improved technological devices in the storage of information. Thus, the improvements in human relations and the ability of technology to enhance data storage indicate how technology is beneficial in communication (Solway 2010).

Despite the fact that technology plays a crucial role in communication, there are several ways in which it undermines communication. This means that the use of technology in communication has some negative impacts. One of the ways in which technology undermines communication is through its impact on interpersonal communication. As a result of widespread use of technology in communication, people may lack some interpersonal skills. As such, they may not be able to express thoughts, feelings, as well as ideas through face-to-face interaction. The use of websites to chat and send messages has undermined direct interactions between the people communicating. Thus, it can be concluded that communication through technology lacks the non-verbal aspect, which is essential when communicating (Wood 2010).

Secondly, the use of technology in communication has also undermined social interactions between people. Through the use of technology, people do not socialise when communicating. As a result, get-togethers and social meetings have reduced considerably. This is because people tend to be more focussed on online activities than issues, which may have a significant impact on their social life. Technology also undermines communication since it leads to social isolation; this is because people may not feel connected, but isolated as they communicate using technologies. Internet has a negative impact on the social well-being of the users. People who use the internet a lot for communication tend to be more isolated than people who do not use the internet regularly for communication. This is because they spend most of their time online. Research shows that people who spend most of their time online tend to have few friends in the real world. Therefore, the negative impact that technology has had on social interactions explains why technology has undermined communication (Beliakoff 2006).

Further, it is evident that technology undermines communication since it has contributed to addictions, especially in people who use technologies regularly. People who over-rely on the internet for communication tend to spend most of their time chatting and conveying messages online. As a result, they are addicted to social network platforms. Numerous studies indicate that technology also undermines communication since morals are lost when technology is used in communication. Communication ethics may not be taken into consideration when engaging in online communication. Technology may also cause some harm since some people have ill motives when using technology to communicate. For example, some people may be malicious when communicating and fake their identities online so that they extort money from unsuspecting “online friends” (Beliakoff 2006). Thus, it can be concluded that technology inhibits communication since ethics tend to be violated when communicating using modern technology.

Conclusion

Technology plays a crucial role in communication; through the advent of modern technology, communication has become faster than in the past. The benefits of using technology in communication outweigh the shortcomings. In this regard, it can be argued that technology does not undermine communication. Through technology, it has become possible to hold meetings without having to meet in a physical location. Through technology, it has become possible to address some issues, which affect the society. Through modern technological devices, persons suffering from disabilities have been able to communicate with a lot of ease. Technology undermines communication in a number of ways; for example, as a result of widespread use of technology in communication, people may lack some interpersonal skills. The use of technology in communication has also undermined social interactions between people. Communication through technology lacks the non-verbal aspect, which is essential when communicating.