Has the increase in technology decreased both the quantity and quality of face-to-face interactions?
First of all, the increase in technology has led us to interact less with the people around us. Nowadays many people are able to access the internet at any time they want with their smartphones. Also, as quickly as possible people are acquiring smartphones. Since it has become more comfortable, social media has made people communicate online rather than in-person which makes the communication process simpler. It is an easy and fast way of communication and people getting more addicted to technology. They are busy and all the time near the screens of computer or smartphones. Studies have shown that online relationships are increasing. Individuals who are in good relationships online often fail when meeting in person. Because our conversation mostly based on nonverbal cues. While communicating online people do not see each other which leads to the misunderstanding of each other. Quantity of face-to-face communication decreasing because people think that it is a waste of time and online communication is more comfortable.
Quantity of face-to-face conversation is not the only thing that is suffering but quality as well. People are not having close, open conversations and personal interactions with each other. Instead, they are tied to social media to avoid in-person communication. People are sincere and open while communicating in-person. When one says that he or she is in a good mood, you can see my appearance and emotions which are cannot express through any social media.
One of the benefits of in-person communication is the immediate feedback expressed through body language and facial expressions. You can also hear the tone of voice which makes it easier to interpret the person’s feelings. When you make the effort of actually seeing the other person and when you show your expressions that you are listening carefully and showing importance to you about what they are saying. This shows how you value the person with whom you are having a conversation with. Unfortunately, online communication makes a person be dishonest, careless and irresponsible. Face-to-face communication is difficult for most of the people because of decreasing language and self-presenting skills.
Although the benefits of face-to-face communication are numerous, there would still be some disadvantages to be addressed. For example, it can be sometimes difficult to find the extra time to meet people. Emailing and texting are faster especially if the other person you want to communicate with is in another place. Moreover, some people find it hard to communicate face to face.
In the end, making the effort for face to face communication is definitely worth it
Digital telecommunications today are one of the most important areas of development of science and technology. The modern information society needs information transfer, processing, and storage services that would meet today's requirements. Both manufacturers and communication operators are trying to keep up with these requirements. Now social networks have already reached such a level that any person can enter the Internet, social network, virtual space in almost any geographic and territorial point of the world. Moreover, to access the Internet, having a computer is no longer a necessary condition. Despite all these facts, people should control the use of technology and social networks. Thus, they will decrease the negative influence on face-to-face communications.
After unsuccessful negotiations on the sale of the company's assets, KPNQwest, an operator of communication networks in several European countries, owned by Qwest Communications and KPN Telecom, has already declared itself bankrupt. Initially, many companies were interested in KPNQwest's assets, but over time they became fewer and fewer. As a result, only a $200 million offer from AT&T is now being considered. KPN, which owns 40% of KPNQwest's shares, will provide the company with the minimum funds necessary to maintain KPNQwest's network in working order until almost 100,000 subscribers find an alternative provider. KPNQwest management, however, continues to look for a buyer for its assets.
The actual absence of customers can be explained very simply - they are not in the best of times. Thus, the credit rating of Verizon, which was also considered as a potential buyer of KPNQwest, is likely to be reduced by consulting company Moody's Investors Service. And how not to reduce it, if the company's debts have reached the astronomical figure of $62 billion! "Evil Root" - e-mail and instant messaging systems, which are very successfully competing with traditional long-distance telephony and negate the profits of long-distance communication units.