How Does Technology Affect Our Relationships

Humans have always been social animals. From the time of our grandfathers to us in the modern age today, the need in being part of a social group had never changed. Moreover, the main reason for our desire in being a member of a social group had never changed between the time of our grandfathers and now: being part of a social group is to avoid being alone. However, the tools that the earlier generations used to be socially connected – face-to-face meetings, telegraphs and mail – could not be more different than those used in the current generations. Nowadays, the tools for one to be socially connected are much more advanced – due to the modernisation. Communication tools, such as mobile phones, tablets and smart watches, along with social media tools - Facebook, Skype, Twitter, and Instagram – have enabled humans to easily connect to their family and peers. Whereas our grandfathers would wait months before a letter of theirs reach their friends in another part of the world, we could instead choose to send an …show more content…
However, technology can also bring positives to our relationships. Technology – in particular instant messaging platforms such as Skype, Whatsapp, Line and Fring – had greatly enhanced family communication and thus giving us the opportunities to be better connected with our loved ones regardless of our locations (Bernström, 2013). Nevertheless, it is necessary that we learn to strike a balance in being “online” and “offline”. We must learn to embrace the fact that technology allows us to be better connected and be mindful of the value in face-to-face communications with our family and friends. Furthermore, only by being the master over the technology we use and not the slave, then we will manage to keep our sense of self intact and keep loneliness at