In its simplest form, the model of the communication process is rather basic: there is a sender and a receiver, a message channel, and an idea being sent through the channel. During the encoding and decoding process, there are call-outs where noise can enter into the process and cause errors. Overall, this simplistic idea of communication is a great starting point but, in today’s technological environment, no longer represents the various forms of available communication and the amount of activity impacting those messages. In fact, very few messages that are sent today are as simple as this model describes.
In today’s world of technology, humankind is moving away from the basic method of communication and into a world where communication is rapidly becoming virtual. This shift in the paradigm of society has its benefits as well as its drawbacks, which we will briefly discuss an example of each.
With modern technology, the world around us has become a digital wonderland. While most of us grew up with just a “home phone”, today we feel lost if our phone is not within reach. It’s the first thing we look at each morning and the last thing we check at night. We are texting, Tweeting, FaceBooking, Instagramming throughout our days, and most of that has nothing to do with work. In the office, we have seen our face-to-face communications be replaced with emails, instant messages and Slack channels. These digital channels have made communication easier, removing barriers that once existed like looking for an old friend or trying to meet someone new. (Techspirited, 2018) Those things are no longer difficult to do with modern technology!
While our virtual selves are enjoying the champagne, our interpersonal selves are picking up the check. As we move more and more into a digital age of communication, we see younger generations that lack interpersonal skills like showing emotion and speaking face-to-face. (Techspirited, 2018) As a result, when people are communicating in person, they are losing their abilities to interpret non-verbal gestures from others. (Techspirited, 2018) We also see the dependence on digital communication impacting the relationships in families. Children who are always texting with their friends aren’t spending as much time with parents or siblings, which is creating an even larger relationship gap over time. (Techspirited, 2018)
There is a way to reap the rewards of this digital age while maintaining your social and personal abilities, but the key is balance. Make sure that you are taking time to “unplug” and spend time with friends and family. As parents, ensure that your kids have some downtime from the devices and texting. We should all find that happy medium between the digital space and our here and now.
References
Techspirited. (2018, Januaty 31). An Overview of the Overall Impact of Technology on Communication. Retrieved from techspirited.com: https://techspirited.com/impact-of-technology-on-communication
mxs1204 says
Hello Jennifer,
Well this is a tough one for me. I have twenty year-old son and a teenage daughter and happen to work in media & entertainment. On one hand, I have seen personally technology has improved the way we do function as human beings. Due to technological advancement, we can find a local ethic restaurant that offers our favorite meal in seconds. You can also find a rare piece of art within a few clicks. Global communication has become easier than ever! I can jump on my computer and speak to someone across the world as if they were sitting right in front of me.
You make many salient points . Especially when you include that, “We also see the dependence on digital communication impacting the relationships in families. Children who are always texting with their friends aren’t spending as much time with parents or siblings, which is creating an even larger relationship gap over time. (Techspirited, 2018)”. It has actually become uncomfortable to put our phones down at a restaurant and try to interact for a long period of time. Kids don’t like it and seem bothered with all of the questions that arise during a typical conversation. As parents do we restrict the very thing that is advancing our abilities to communicate (cell phone) or do we remove them from our environment in order to return a sense of normalcy?
I think balance is important. We can use technology as long it does not jeopardize the integrity of our relationships.
Jennifer Rosson says
It is really hard to find a balance! Last year, I was visiting with a friend of mine who had a toddler. While we were talking, the toddler was playing with a book on the floor. I noticed her trying to expand the page of the book by pulling her fingers apart, like you would do on an iPad. I was shocked! I said do kids not even understand books anymore?
Another friend of mine has done an excellent job of balancing technology with her two boys. They are now 13 and 8 and they have had devices for most of their lives but they do not have free reign with them. When they want to use their iPad’s, they first have to ask permission and then their time is limited to an hour. There are a few exceptions, if they are playing educational games, etc. but for the most part they understand the time limit and stick to it.
I just remember riding bikes and catching fireflies with my friends and siblings. I wonder if kids today are going to have fond memories of sitting alone watching YouTube.
Jason Paul Wylie says
Jennifer,
I agree with you 110%. My stepchildren are perfect examples of the problem of too much technology. My wife bought each child an iPad and now, you have to fight with them to get them to spend any time with you. Her son, who is 11, comes home from school and after completing his homework (most of the time) runs into his room to get online with my wife’s laptop to play games and ‘socialize’ with friends. When he is not allowed on my wife’s laptop, he gets back on his iPad and watches YouTube videos. The problem here is that there is no downtime from electronics. In order to keep the peace, my wife refuses to curtail their technology use and so the distance from reality grows for the kids. It is difficult to pull kids away from this technology. Especially after they have had it for so long – they literally don’t know what to do with themselves if they don’t have a computer or iPad to use.