Undoubtedly, technology has changed people’s living conditions. It is believed by some that face-to-face communication has been undermined by social media, whereas others argue that individuals can now connect in an m ore developed way. In my opinion, while online platforms help people stay in touch even when it comes to long distances, they may bring about social awkwardness.
On the one hand, social media acts as a convenient way to communicate. Unlike direct meetings, people can shoot the breeze through phone screens without having to go out, which would save a considerable amount of time. To illustrate, there are situations where some young professionals gather at coffee shops or bakeries with friends too frequently. Far from truly unwinding their minds, spending excessive time hanging out and managing time inproperly would leave them snowed under with work afterwards. Meanwhile, chatting and calling not only help them stay connected regardless of distances, but also allow them to allocate time to more practical things, such as personal investment and earning a living.
On the other hand, relying heavily on online communication would make individuals afraid to interact directly. This is because people can send or unsend a message with just a click, while they need to be thorough in what they are about to say to convey their thoughts orally and avoid putting others in awkward situations. If individuals do not usually engage in face-to-face communication, it may be hard for them to be confident in public speaking and presentation, which are important parts o f curricular, due to poor communication skills.
In conclusion, I believe that social media plays a key role in connecting community in this day and age. However, it is unwise to depend solely on it; everyone should practise communicating and participate in face-to-face communications when there are chances.
