Technology Research

Melanie Weiner

7-26-2016        

Eng. 120

Professor Rossini

        The slow onset of technology has slowly, but very surely changed the world as humanity knows it. From the very first google search, to the latests Snapchat streak, technology has fostered the sense of immediate access to any and all information. Technology has helped and hurt our society in many ways. Humans are now able to communicate easily with people around the world almost instantly. It has helped to strengthen relationships between people who may not have otherwise stayed connected. The question that is raised however, is if technology has altered our ability to communicate face to face. While some of the  positive benefits of technology well outweigh the negatives, is it beginning to compensate for many of the developmental and essential human skills?

        It is no secret that technology has completely shifted the way humans interact and this is an issue that is now arising all around the world. A concept known as “Virtual Distance” is described in the article,”Technology is rewriting the rulebook for human interaction”,by Karen Sobel Lojesk. She defines it as, ”a psychological and emotional sense of detachment that accumulates little by little, at the sub-conscious or unconscious level, as people trade-off time interacting with each other for time spent screen skating.” This exemplifies perfectly the way in which communication skills have slowly deteriorated due to technology. So many people are now resulting to emails and texts rather than even talking on the telephone. It is becoming normal to have relationships based solely on texting and calling. Becoming dependent on technology slowly dwindles the ability to speak and communicate effectively. People begin using technology as a safety blanket for themselves. Phones are pulled out to eliminate awkward situations and fights are fought with a computer screen as a bodyguard.

        The greatest technology scare is that of the effect it has on children. Kids are now growing up in a society much different of the past generations. In a Huffington Post article, the author explains the impact that technology has on developing children. 20 years ago, children were much different then they are now. Imagination, activities, and family dynamic have all changed due to technology. It explains some of the differences in families such as dinner time. While this used to be a time of reconnection and reflection on the day, dinner time is now occupied by television watching. Children are now lacking imagination as well as lessening their sensory and motor skills. Technology limits the challenges to these developmental skills, therefore limiting their developmental growth. Children are becoming "hard wired for high speed."Information is immediately accessible to them, communication is constant, and talking through a screen is becoming more appealing than face to face. Children learn by watching. If their parents are completely consumed with their computer, or handheld device, chances are the child will follow. Karen Sobel Lojesk also describes the idea of “serve and return”. If much of what the child notices about the world comes from a small screen where only a shallow representation is available, what do children have to mimic? How much practice do they get developing human capacities crucial to establishing emotional ease and social sensibilities? When technology is used as a factor in relationships, it changes the nature of the relationship completely. Personal connection isn't formed overnight. The dangers of technology to children become apparent especially when it is substituted for human contact and relationships. In a recent article by the Huffington Post, it is explained that one of the greatest downfalls is in language development.self discipline, ethical understanding and interpersonal communication, as well as social ability, and critical thinking (among others) – are what UNESCO calls "transversal competencies.” These are all things that can be negatively effected by technology.