Did the human race lose the craving for direct human interaction?

I am drowning in a sea of humans, yet I’ve never felt more alone. Others incoherent due to the devices glued to their hands; stealing all attention away from their surroundings. As you walk down the street, you become aware of others listening to a device play music, talking on the phone or scrolling through social media. They want to avoid any possible form of human interaction. Technological advances have successfully created a society of walking zombies. Some people solely live through technology such as smartphones, tablets, computers and the media platforms they use. Despite technology stealing so much attention from us; it could be considered a double-edged sword. While technology has aided the world, providing new communicative advancements; from simple everyday conversations for personal and business uses. I believe technology has become cancer to society, slowly depleting society’s craving to have face-to-face interaction; not only in adults but also to the future generation known as millennials.

You are likely to be surrounded by technology as your reading this; maybe your smartphone is nearby, a computer or tablet. You are probably an account holder of the popular networks; Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter. If you are a member of one, chances are you are a part of the others. A survey taken in January 2018 states that if you are a member of Facebook, you are 32% likely to also use Twitter, Instagram 47% and Snapchat 37%. The use of technology’s popularity has increased dramatically since the early 2000’s. MySpace and LinkedIn were some of the first networks to become popular in the early 2000’s; then YouTube in 2005 and Facebook in 2006. When I was growing up, I could not wait to get a Facebook; interact with all my friends, see what they are doing. I felt free being able to post my own pictures and statuses; having something that was personal and considered mine.

Technology shown in a positive light

Technology and Social Media have aided our current world into an exceptionally technologically savvy society. We are capable to make a difference, start a movement that could become global; or raise money to benefit the wellbeing of others in third-world countries. Businesses profit from being able to hold video conference calls; face-to-face with a possible investor that lives in a foreign country. All without traveling anywhere outside the office. We also have the capability to use a phone. It gives us unlimited power to call anyone, write a message or see them face-to-face instantaneously. It may be useful to you for a number of reasons; to keep in contact with family members or friends who moved away. Social media can be used to market a new product, using a wide variety of platforms reaching others of the world. Social media sites even have the ability to target specific people. Take Facebook for instance, takes your personal information and choices to take into account the posts, pictures, and links you like, the topic of your statuses. They then base that information and post advertisements that they think may interest you.

I interviewed 7 of my friends, a mixture of women and men ranging from ages 21–26. I was curious to see what their views are on technology, if they felt that technology was a hindrance or an improvement to our society. What a few of the women believed, that the use of technology can be beneficial if used in a positive light. For instance, social media platforms can be a way to promote positivity, about loving yourself for who you are. To promote creativity to take on creative projects; seen on Pinterest called “DIY” — do it yourself. To spread positive awareness or movements about an important topic on Facebook, such as remembering mental self-care.

Technology shown for its true colors

While majority of their views were shifted towards a darker light. They voiced their concerns involving the social barrier put up by social media. Eric, 22 said, “Social media makes you socially disconnected.” He elaborated stating, while social media is a great way to see what other people are doing; there is no social interaction between the friends involved. Alexia teaches preschool and is 23. She was worried for the effects technology may have on children. Technology may consequent in impairment of social skills for the future generation. She stated, while the children are being picked up by their parents. The parents arrive with the younger siblings, ranging from 1–3 years of age. The child permanently fixated with his or her eyes glued to a digital screen of a smartphone. Ironically, they are have not yet formed any verbal skills. Yet, they hold the capability to function a smartphone, unlock a phone and open specific apps they enjoy to engage in.

Growing up, my mother used the platform Facebook, every day, multiple times a day. Although at the time I didn’t understand why. When I was finally allowed to join Facebook, at 12 years old; it was a somewhat newly popular network. Facebook was a playoff of Myspace but it was a more mature platform. When I first logged in, I unknowingly signed an unspoken of contract. Signing the contract would revoke any spare minutes that were supposed to be considered mine. I would spend all my free time on the platform, constantly checking what everyone was doing. In my early years, I was insecure with my appearance. I loved the satisfaction of getting likes or having people comment on my photos showering me with complements. It indirectly made me feel apart of something bigger; receiving likes gave me a justification of being liked. After a few months using Facebook, I became a full blown addict to the use of social media. The vindication of others telling commenting I am beautiful. The feeling became essential to my self-esteem, into order to see myself as beautiful; I relied on the perspective of others to do so. Social Media can be extremely harmful to self-esteem. Unfortunately, I along with other women used the platform for the same reasons. Eventually it became an obsession; checking to see what is the new gossip, who is in a relationship, if someone liked or commented on our posts. When Instagram came out, the self-esteem issues only became a larger issue. Instagram is a platform for the sole purpose to share photos. The idea of posting a picture and having to look flawless, I am also guilty of this. Editing apps became a popular new trend, removing the flaws in an image. Amongst young women, it is vital to look “beautiful” just to get a high number of likes or followers. Instagram puts the pressure on women to think you have to look like models. People forget they are human and that it is natural to have flaws. Social media became a browser for the popularity status; no longer used for the purpose of interaction.

Many teens, preteens and possibly even younger children will be or already have been, exposed to social media. They value their technology like it is a their most prized possession. They keep it on them 24/7 and take it everywhere they go. When they are bored, they scroll through social media. Snapchat is a popular favorite amongst the younger generation. Snapchat has something called streaks. It insures the creators of snapchat that the app with be used daily. In order to keep your snapchat streak, both must exchange at least one Snapchat through out the day. Next to the other’s name shows an icon with a number written next to it. To show the number of days the two have consecutively corresponded. This number may not mean much to you or me. To them, it is the a very upsetting thing to lose their streak. It is considered cool, to snap photos of anything and everything. A phrase the younger generation say is “phones eat first,” regarding the photo taken of their food before they begin eating. It is implying that the purpose of the picture is to update their friends with their daily lives. The younger generation posts photos to Instagram very often, to make their lives look very interesting. Some people solely do activities just for the picture; the kids nowadays have a saying, “pic or it didn’t happen.” They post pictures as often as they can to keep a high number of followers or a constant high number of likes. Majority of the time people hang out; it involves everyone being in the same room but all on their phones. Video games are now interactive with game consoles. People are now capable of playing with a friend virtually via audio chat. Interaction behind a screen may become the generation of our future. Millennials are so comfortable talking through the phone. When it comes time to speak face-to-face, a communication issue may arise due to lack of social skills. I believe by the time I have children, the advancements in technology will become a vital item in life. The effects of technology may cause a hindrance to our social abilities. It may become challenging for millennials because they may feel more comfortable talking through a screen.

A survey of social media users ages 18–50+, were asked if social media would be hard to give up. The visual to your left provides the statistics. I began social media when I was 12 up until I was almost 21. I deleted all my social media about four months ago. I felt pressured to keep up with everyone’s lives. I always felt the need I had to post about my life. If I had not posted for a while, it resulted in my family or friends asking if I was having any problems. I was sick of everyone indirectly knowing what I was doing; without any correspondence with me directly. I began to crave human interaction. The craving grew every time I found myself looking through social media. I was unable to continue with the persistent pressure. The pressure social media put on my shoulders; carrying the dead weight of all of indirect communication and self shame. What pushed me over the edge to delete social media was the feeling of being in a locked cage. After all social media was gone from my life; I felt I finally had the ability to fly freely. When I told my family and friends, they questioned my motives. They ask if my boyfriend made me remove it or if I was depressed. I explained my reason but they couldn’t relate. To be honest with you, I am so happy with my decision, and I’ll never look back.

Technology is an ever-changing advancement in society. It can be viewed as prohibiting Society from face-to-face interaction, human contact or connection. Of course, you can consider this double-edged sword however way you want to look at it. Technology has created such an intelligent human race with the ability to have the world at your fingertips. But be aware of the lasting effects it can put on you; your social skills and self-esteem. I hope one day we can cure cancer in our society and no longer feel alone on this planet of 7 billion people.

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