In today’s digital age, the world is at the fingertips of people with just a few taps on phones. Social media and smartphones have revolutionized the way others communicate and absorb information, and today’s generation has been exposed to the new culture of social media which caused the inability to communicate properly in some people’s opinion. 

Social media can make talking more difficult compared to before phone usage was popular.  Some people are worried that face-to-face conversation will decrease. 

“I think social media has made it difficult for people to communicate face-to-face because they are behind a screen…and I believe a lot of people have social anxiety because of this,” Stefanie Dristas, health science theory teacher at Champion said. 

Digital communication has started to take over. Certain people can become too comfortable communicating through text and are uncomfortable when faced with in-person contact. Not only do in-person conversations affect the way society responds, but over-the-phone conversations also cause some individuals to feel awkward.

The culture of online communication can also cause a lot of behavioral problems and not allow people to provide their full attention to one another. In a recent study, The University of People shared in ‘Social Media Effects on Communication’ that, “3 billion people use social media today, meaning 40% of the world uses social media for communication.” 

A few negatives can be a lack of attentiveness, lack of non-verbal cues, and misinterpretation. Some people take breaks from social media because of the negative effects it can have on them. Having constant access to social media can start to cause people to be left out in social gatherings, and group hangouts. The possibility of this might happen due to someone unintentionally sacrificing their free time or being too attached to social media causing them to miss out on the events going on around them. When citizens around the world take a ‘break’ from social media, it can take away the constant urge to pull it out and use it. This can force someone to be present and mindful of what is going on around them.

Auditory and visual conversation cues are lacking in text messages and can start to cause a language barrier between younger generations and older ones. In another article published in 2017 by ‘The Guardian’ cell phone usage has affected students’ writing skills. This has been proven through the vocabulary differences in text messages and on paper. 

Recently, high school students were interviewed to give their opinions on how they use social media and balance out everyday life. One question asked if they ever took a break from social media.

“Yes, I have because I thought I used my phone too much and I wanted to try and be face-to-face more,” junior Robert Wegleitner said.

This just goes to show how much phones can distract people from the world around them and what is going on.

Social media is neither entirely good nor bad; it’s how citizens choose to use it that makes the difference. By fostering a culture of awareness and communicating clearly, the world can possibly improve relationships and unity.