While contemplating the prompt for this post, I found myself thinking about things I took totally for granted in my life. Technology that I had never lived without, and didn’t realize that other people had. What came first to my mind was none other than, the internet. I was recently with my grandparents, who have not kept up with technological advancement in the slightest, and they lectured me on how the internet was ruining our society. “People never go outside anymore. People don’t read the paper. Nobody communicates face to face anymore.” I had heard it all before, but this time, it really sunk in. What was life like before the internet? Has the internet actually had such a negative impact on society? Some think so.
One main argument against the benefit of the internet, that I shall explore, is the declining of face-to-face communication. While it may not always be possible to meet in person to communicate, there are many benefits of face to face communication that are lost through text messages, email, phone calls, and other forms of messaging. According to Virginette Acacio, one of the main benefits of face to face communication is that things get done more quickly and effectively: “When there’s an issue that requires a decision, you’re able to reach a consensus more quickly. One simple 5 minute conversation could eliminate 15 back and forth emails.” I have definitely experienced this in the workplace and as a student. While technological advancement leads us toward easier and faster forms of communication, sometimes clarity of the messages we are trying to send can be lost due to the lack of face to face communication. I personally have been on many email threads in which I get confused because I miss one aspect of a message due to it not being stated directly to me. This could negatively affect my ability to communicate without using a form of face to face communication.
While one may form virtual friendships and relationships, they still will not equal the depth of relationship that face to face communication can create. When trying to facilitate a community, one can also often be disadvantaged due to lack of face to face interaction. One Forbes writer states that in a business setting, he requires face to face communication because, “My team members were more than just a voice on a conference call or a person I email, they became a “real” person who I could chat, laugh and connect with during our coffee breaks and working lunches.” Not only does this allow for a better workplace environment, but these employees were given the opportunity to actually understand how their colleagues worked best with each other.
While some may argue that one can make text messaging or emails more personalized through the use of emojis, punctuation, and slang, I think that there is a fine line to walk when judging the appropriateness of this messaging. One Ashton College writer even says, “trying to make your digital communications seem more friendly or personalized runs the risk of being misinterpreted or viewed as unprofessional.” I have been in situations in which I have questioned mine or another’s usage of punctuation or smiley faces due to lack of professionalism.
Finally, while this may be the most obvious loss due to lack of face-to-face communication, I believe it to be most important: non-verbal communication is key to truly understanding what message is being sent. Without cues such as body language, tone of voice, facial expression, and more, messages can be severely misinterpreted. Jenn Fusion from Demand Media writes: “face-to-face communication is best for persuasion, leadership, engagement, inspiration, decision-making, accountability, candor, focus and reaching a consensus.” This is due to non-verbal cues that are nearly completely lost due to lack of face to face communication.
Acacio, Virginette. “The Benefits of Face-to-Face Communication.” Blue Jeans Network. N.p., 26 July 2012. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.
Fusion, Jenn. “Face-to-Face Communication in Business.” Small Business. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.
“The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication – Ashton College.” Ashton College. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.
“Top 4 Benefits Of Face-to-Face Team Meetings.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 5 Mar. 2013. Web. 20 Aug. 2014.