Does technology unite us… or make us more alone? (a 20-minute freewrite)

Since I was a little girl, I can remember learning to guide the mouse to our family computer to play certain “educational” computer games. I spent a fair amount of time playing games to help me learn grammar, spellings, math, and even some aspects of science. As I grew older, I would take typing classes, play on a Nintendo DS, buy my first cell phone, and open my Facebook account. My technological world seemed to be ever expanding – and it would have an affect on all aspects of my life. In the western world, we have the privileges of being surrounded by technology in our educational and work spheres. Technology has expanded our intelligence and allowed for greater opportunities at an increasing speed and pace. Nevertheless, technology has also effected and changed the way people interact with each other and the way in which society functions. We are able to communicate in many more methods today – and to what extent is this communication effective? Today, cell phones seem to be an extension of the human body. We all know where our cell phones are… as soon as we misplace our phones, we automatically misplace (what seems to be) our connection with the world… and a panic to find it takes place. Cell phones, now much more than just a calling device, can also be used for texting, and connecting to social media. Today, texting and social media have become alternatives for conversation or connecting with other individuals. There have often been scenarios that I have witnessed personally, where I notice a group of people or a pair of two friends, where one or more are staring at their cell phone screens, or distracted from real-time conversation because of virtual distractions. I believe technology – and more specifically, technology used for socialization – has a huge influence on our personal and actual socialization… away from the screens, from the “likes”, and the emojis. Although it may not affect all, I dare say that social media effects relationships within the family, courting, dating, marriage etc. more than we may think. 50 years ago, the way and extent to which people went out of their way to meet people and get to know them varies very differently from today – seriously, sometimes all people do today is swipe right or left on tinder. While social media such as Facebook, or even Instagram, may help share various photos of trips or activities and accomplishments, these sites can also cause a sense of needing to appear or portray oneself in a certain way. The “selfie” age today can be seen as a way to express oneself – however in certain cases can be seen as narcissistic, vain, or even a sign of insecurity. I am not saying that social media and other methods of communication are solely bad for this reason – Video services such as Skype and FaceTime can be seen as a way to make us feel more connected to those who are far away. As someone who has family in Brazil, and many friends living in other states and countries, I use Skype as a way to connect with them personally on a “face-to-face” level. I also text them every now and then to see how they are doing. Technology, overall – in all its forms and with all its usages – is not bad. It opens and expands our horizons. However, I believe we must be careful and diligent in the way we allow it to dictate our lives – technology can impair our relationships, and in many ways make us feel more alone, but only if we allot it the power to do so.