Three Ways Technology Impacts Communication

Three Ways Technology Impacts Communication Technology has many positive and negative impacts towards communication. In today’s interrelated world, technology is extensively used and effects everyday lives. With the development of technology, communication has been enabled for people living far away from cities. Software platforms are now used for communication and collaboration learning via audio and video meetings. It operates for speed, information, and communication and it helps to reduce the physical and mental human workload. Technology can impact interpersonal skills, education, and social engagement. Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal skills are a crucial element in today’s world. They have an impact on personal lives and careers. Interpersonal communication is the process of expressing your thoughts, ideas, feelings, and emotions face-to-face. These skills involve the ability to communicate and build relationships with others (Park 2001). However, now days most people would rather online conversations versus face-to-face conversations. This is one of the instances where technology has a negative impact towards communication. Without having face-to-face communication people are unable to express their true feelings. Furthermore, with so many people relying on technology, they are disconnecting from their interpersonal skills. Such as, communication, active listening, patience, motivation, leadership, and empathy. Studies show that up to fifty percent of people are more engaged in their devices than direct contact (Adebiyi, 2012). In current times, technology is becoming more of a necessity rather than an exception. Social Engagement Moreover, technology has brought social engagement to an all-time high in today’s world. With current times, technology has made communication much easier. People can communicate at a quicker speed by a click of a button. This especially comes in handy in the work force. Technology helps keep costs down versus paying for manpower and delivery (Marcio, 2013). People no longer wait on the postal service to deliver letters or pictures like previous times. With that being said, technology has also helped to decrease emotional distance and bring families and friends who are distant closer. People can maintain their friendships more easily due to social platforms such as Facebook, Skype, Zoom, Facetime, and instant messaging (Adebiyi, 2013). By using technology and social platforms, people are finding themselves closer to others, and they can form a bond that might be otherwise hard for some to do. This comes in handy especially to the ones who consider themselves as introverts. Education Furthermore, new ways of learning are possible through communication technology. Technology has made a positive impact on student’s education through distance learning, virtual learning, and interactive multi-media. Through technology, students and teachers can communicate through educational networks. Teachers can instruct students from all over the world and monitor their progress online (Foot, et al., 2014). Not only can students attend online classes but working adult parents can go back to school and attain a degree. Nations around the world see schools as the main source to prepare young children for a technology filled future (Akcaoglu, et al., 2015). The importance of technology and online education made an impact specifically during the Covid-19 crisis. Schools were shut down early and teachers had to quickly transition from direct teaching to teaching virtually. Simulations and virtual reality were used for the impossible experiments (Marcio, 2013). Conclusion Technology has many impacts towards communication including education, social engagement, and interpersonal skills. If one has access to it than their lives are impacted. Technology has made life simple and entertaining. Without technology, people would not be able to communicate with loved ones who are distant, and education would not be improving at such a rapid rate. It has the capability of bringing people from across the world together, creating friendships, and increasing opportunities for education. However, if technology were limited then there would be a higher percentage of people with interpersonal skills. In conclusion, there are more positive than negative impacts of communication due to the invention of technology.