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In an era where social media and mobile phones reign supreme, the debate over their effects on our generation continues.
As stressed in my previous editorial, we face a generational epidemic of a lack of soft skills due to the omnipresence of social media and our readily available trusty mobile companions.
However, like with all things, the impact of social media and mobile phones on our generation is not just black and white. As we navigate the digital landscape, it becomes imperative to examine both the advantages and disadvantages these technological marvels bring to our lives.
It has become abundantly clear that the pervasive nature of mobile phones has fundamentally altered the fabric of social interaction.
“I feel like people become closer and closer to robots of sorts the more they use their phone as their sole communication,” said Ella Kuenzli, a sophomore political science major from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Such a comparison reflects on the growing concern that excessive reliance on mobile phones may lead to a dehumanizing effect, distancing us from genuine human connection.
Indeed, the ubiquity of smartphones has reshaped social dynamics, with face-to-face interactions increasingly taking a backseat to virtual exchanges.
“Social media has also put up this ginormous wall between individual people that makes it nearly impossible to actually get to know someone,” added Kuenzli. “Everyone now wants to hide behind a screen.”
Instead of engaging in meaningful dialogue, we often find ourselves fixated on curated online personas, perpetuating a culture of idolization and judgment.
“I think it has led to comparison and competition surrounding all aspects of life,” added Emma Chaffin, a junior psychology major from Duvall, Washington.
Furthermore, the erosion of traditional modes of communication is evident in the dwindling prevalence of real-world interactions.
“Our relationships all seem to cater around the screens in our hands,” said Bella Chalmers, a junior psychology major from Happy Valley, Oregon.
The advent of social media has transformed the landscape of socialization, with activities once cherished, like sleepovers and gatherings, overshadowed by the allure of digital distraction.
As we know, the dependency on mobile phones as a coping mechanism poses significant challenges to interpersonal communication.
“When I am spending time with my friends we are all on our phones or constantly checking our phones which takes away from our time together,” said Chaffin.
This reliance on digital crutches impedes the development of essential communication skills, fostering a generation ill-equipped to navigate face-to-face interactions.
Despite all this, amidst the sea of criticisms, it is unquestionable that there are true, meaningful positives of social media and the use of mobile phones.
While concerns regarding the erosion of genuine human connection and the proliferation of digital dependency are valid, it is crucial to recognize the transformative potential of these technologies in fostering global connectivity and facilitating meaningful relationships.
“While I’ll be the first to admit that the forced comparisons brought on by social media have affected me in bad ways and that social media has certainly exposed me to more negativity than I’d experience otherwise, I’ve also been fortunate enough to forge multiple friendships with people all over the globe through social media—some of which I’ve known for years and recently been able to meet in real life,” said Alison Ross, a senior environmental science major from Haslett, Michigan.
As we navigate the digital divide, let us strive for a balanced approach that harnesses the benefits of technology while preserving the essence of authentic human interaction
“I think like anything in life, there’s a balance of good and ugly that comes with social media, and in order to get one you must have the other,” said Ross. “We get into trouble when we lose that balance and become too consumed by one thing or the other.”
