The Impact of Technology on Social Relationships

As a psychologist interested in social relationships, I have long wondered about the impact of social media and technology on the quality of human interactions. I have spoken with many parents who voiced concerns that the entirety of their teenager's social interactions happen via text messaging or social media networking. These parents worried their children might not be developing the skills necessary to nurture social relationships. Obviously teenagers are not the only ones who enjoy the ease and simplicity of communicating through technology - many adults also prefer these vehicles of communication. Teenagers may be at particular risk though, because depending on their environment, some have never known relationships to exist without cell phones and the internet. An article published in the San Francisco Chronicle features a discussion of the potential implications of communicating primarily through technology. Read Dr. Jim Taylor's article, "Does Technology Connection Mean Life Disconnection?" for yourself: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/jtaylor/index? Communicating through technology exists without the nuances of face-to-face communication. Conversations are not of the same depth and each person's emotions are difficult to decipher and respond to accordingly. When we communicate with others in person, the content of their speech is only a part of our communication. We also rely on body language, facial expressions, vocal tone, intonation and delivery to infer what another person is saying. Even without words, we are able to respond to people around us by interpreting their nonverbals. Particularly useful social information is present when someone says something but their body language and tone tell us that they mean something different. Or, we can sometimes tell that there is more to a story than what we've been told by the way the speaker tells the story. The emotions with which someone speaks and their facial expressions let us know if they are being sarcastic, sincere, or playful. Though communicating with text only can simplify interactions, it can also be confusing and unnatural. What can you do if you are someone who suffers feeling disconnected to the people around you despite your frequent technology communications? Consider limiting your use of technology. Use email and texting as a last resort to communicate logistical information when calling is not practical. Make it a point to plan events with friends and family in order to make sure you get quality face-to-face time. Parents concerned about the children's use of technology and social media should also take action. Stay connected to your children. Talk with your children about their relationships and encourage them to spend quality time with you and the important others in their lives.