Technology. I’m sure we’ve all heard about how awful it is. It’s pulling us away from each other, ruining our social skills, and turning us into hermits, right? All of us have listened to the cantankerous adult rant about the ways in which technology is ruining society, but how true are their claims? I see people in the MUC or on the quad more often on their phones than not, but is this really so awful? I would argue that rather than a deterrent to communication, technology is simply the evolution of it.
A simple stroll through any public place will reveal that people are deeply connected to their phones and other smart devices, but this does not necessarily mean that they are isolating themselves in a virtual world entirely separate from our own. The Internet is a completely different way to communicate than its in-person counterpart, but that does not make it any less valid.
Technologies like Skype and FaceTime have actually opened up new horizons in communication. Individuals anywhere in the world can see each other’s faces and have a conversation while thousands of miles away from each other. This has already been quite useful for me since moving into college. Without this technology, I would never be able to see my beloved pets or to have a face-to-face conversation with my mom while at school. I have seen many students take advantage of this technology all around campus. A walk to class which would otherwise be a lonely 10-minute stroll becomes an engaging FaceTime call, a connection.
So even if someone has their nose buried in their phone, it doesn’t mean that they are disconnected from others. They are often communicating with someone that they enjoy seeing in real life. This is not tearing people apart but keeping them connected in innovative ways.
Another major problem that often comes up in the argument about technology is that it is pulling people away from the real world. Internet addiction can be a serious issue, but using the Internet to withdraw from reality is not always a bad thing. Many people, especially students, regularly struggle with high levels of anxiety. The world can seem to crush them, and any kind of reprieve is a blessing. Wanting to escape from reality is nothing new. Everyone daydreams of better things or finds a hobby to occupy their mind. The Internet, with its many games, social media sites and websites like Netflix and Hulu that are meant to capture the attention for long periods of time, can be quite useful for those who cannot handle something in their life.
However, Internet use should be in moderation; everyone needs to deal with reality eventually. So yes, perhaps the Internet takes people out of the real world for a while, but this sweet escape can be a blessing for those under pressure. This is also the case for those, like myself, with social anxiety. Even the five-minute walk back to my dorm can be an anxiety-provoking experience, and in fact so can any social interaction. So where do I and many of those like me take solace? Yes, our phones, our laptops, our tablets. Sitting in a crowded room where I would otherwise be terrified, the silly virtual cats of Neko Atsume (a game I highly recommend) calm me down. Is a panic attack preferable to putting my phone down? I think not.
The Internet as a whole is a positive step in the evolution of technology. Web-based communication can be nearly as intimate and meaningful as any other type. It is easy to simply view a sea of smartphones void of inviting faces, but the connections that may be happening can’t be seen by a passerby. Talking, texting and video-calling are all valid methods of connecting us to each other that could not be provided without the constantly evolving field of technology. Whether the Internet is used to connect to or get away from reality, it is a remarkable tool when used correctly.
