THE UNDESIRABLE EFFECT OF TECHNOLOGY ON PERSONAL

Temida, 2011

The emergence and spread of Internet communication has led to changes in social relationships, abuse of the Internet and maladaptive behavior. Among the authors who have studied the impact of these changes there is no consensus, and the results of their research are often contradictory. Some authors conclude that Internet communication strengthens networks of its users, while others believe that such communication leads to reduced participation in real social life. In a number of people, excessive use of the Internet adversely affects the mental health and social life and can lead to obsession at the expense of other aspects of life and creating addiction. The greatest risk of negative impacts of online communication is among children and young people. This paper is meant to indicate, the good sides as well as the negative consequences of excessive and non-functional Internet use

Recent technological advancements have had a drastic impact on the way individuals communicate. In this research, previous studies were analyzed, field observations were conducted, and an online survey was administered to determine the level of engagement individuals have with their cell phones, other technologies and with each other in face-to-face situations. Findings suggest that technology has a negative effect on both the quality and quantity of face-to-face communication. Despite individuals' awareness of the decrease of face-to-face communication as a result of technology, more than 62% of individuals observed on Elon's campus continue to use mobile devices in the presence of others.

Although there has been a tremendous amount of discussion in the popular press about how the Internet is changing all facets of social life, research on the impact of the Internet is only beginning to emerge. A review of the studies reported in this issue suggests that the Internet may have had less impact on many aspects of social life than is frequently supposed. In many cases, the Internet seems to have created a new way of doing old things, rather than being a technology that changes the manner in which people live their lives. As a consequence, the policy implications of increasing Internet use may be less than is often believed. There is no question that easy access to the Internet, like the introduction of reliable mail service and the invention of the telephone, has changed the nature of people's connection to others in their social world. Mail made possible connections among people without physical proximity, and the telephone facilitated communication among distant people, making rapid connections possible across long distances. The Internet has created an electronic mail system, merging the speed and flexibility of the telephone with the written character of the mail. People can now write letters that are transmitted virtually immediately throughout the globe. But has this communication revolution changed the nature of interpersonal and group processes? The research reviewed in this issue makes it clear that the basic nature of people's relationships with others may have changed less because of the Internet than is often suggested. On the contrary, there are suggestions that the Internet may be a new way for people to do old things. That is, there may be new and useful capabilities associated with electronic communication, and those may have led to changes in patterns of life, but the basic social patterns of

For over two thousand years the spoken word has been in the process of being colonized, first by the written word, then by the printed word, and finally by the technologized word. Now, in the Age of the Internet, computer word processing, social networking, and the text message, the spoken word is in decline and at risk of disappearing if we do not react to this evolution, which is quite rapidly disconnecting us from each other as well as from ourselves and the rich inner resources that we all possess. The only solution is to re-establish living f2f conversation and interaction by talking and listening to each other more frequently. The living spoken word heard directly and not via the media or by using a machine is an endangered form of communication which must be kept alive for the sanity and well-being of ourselves and of humanity. Prologue ince the appearance of technology, human beings have neglected each other and themselves. Technology, together with commerce, has slowly robbed humans of their innate abilities and amputated them of their capacities. Today, far too many of us find ourselves in poor health, depressed, isolated, alienated, alcoholics, drug addicts, overweight, stressed out, overworked, and exhausted. We are spending less and less time together in living f2f conversation and interaction with our families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues and more and more time working, consuming, eating, drinking, driving our cars, watching TV, being online on the computer, sending emails and text messages. We have allowed this situation to evolve and have not been able, as of yet, to find the strength to resist. We have given up so much in exchange for the glory and never-ending development of science, technology, and commerce, but we have little or no time for a few kind words with a neighbor or a friend or simply another human being whose path we cross during our busy days. This situation is in great need of our deepest attention and wisdom in order to find solutions for more harmony, wellness, and health for human beings everywhere, and also to set a balance between our use of technology and the time we spend in conversation and social interaction with others. This paper focuses on the decline of living f2f conversation and social interaction, deals with some of the forces that have contributed to this decline, suggests some of the reasons for this decline, and then turns toward some possible solutions. The creation of all the machines and technology, along with the endless products of consumption, are useful to us, but we have become their slaves rather than their masters. It seems perfectly possible for us to reverse this situation. The popular phrase we hear so often today, " we can do it, " can give us the strength and determination that we need in order to accomplish this important task. S

This study was conducted to searclt answer to the question, "Is the we of ICTs particularly, mobile phones and social media distracting relationships ? It was a descriptive study, therefore, a survq) approach was adopted to elicit the opinions of the respondents. It was a small scale study and qualitative data was collected from students and academia of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan and Ankara University, Turlrey. Purposive sampling technique was used ICTr. Apparently, people seem to be connected technologically but thqt are being isolated physically and psychologically.

2009

With technology use on the rise, interpersonal communication is changing. The following study was intended to assess the relationship between the amount of time people spend engaging in electronic communications versus the amount of time they spend in face-to-face interaction. It was hypothesized that the two are inversely related. However, results showed that there is no relationship, but there were several other interesting observations made that were supported by previous research. Future studies should be conducted on a larger scale for a more accurate assessment

Although it is necessary to understand the link between information and how quickly this can be obtained, this essay will focus on the consequences of using new media and technologies as an attempt to try to develop interpersonal communication. The first section explains the importance of technology in communication; the second part approaches the concept of “Hyperreality” and how images and simulated representations overcome reality. The last sections will evaluate the physical and social gaps that technology has created in society and how people increasingly avoid physical contact as a way to communicate.

New Media & Society, 2004