Throughout the years, technology has continued to grow and become more popular. Lots of people are eager to be up to date with new trends, and when getting wrapped up in new trends and technology, it can affect a person’s social life. When going out to places such as restaurants or the beach, you can almost always see young adults on their phones, rather than enjoying the moment. But there are lots of mixed opinions on this topic and whether technology is impacting teenagers’ social lives.
To better understand how teens feel about this, three students were asked, “Is technology making teens less social in real life?” and their responses were mixed. “Yeah, definitely. We all freak out when we get our phones taken away,” one student claimed, while another said, “I think so, but I also feel like it’s (technology) letting teens know more about what’s going on.” A third student added, “I’m not really sure. In my friend group, technology makes us talk more, to be honest.” Although many teens have mixed feelings about the question, most lean towards technology being beneficial to their social lives. Being able to use technology to communicate, capture special moments, share experiences, and make friends is enjoyed by millions.
After asking three students, three teachers were then asked the same question. One teacher argued, “people have lost the art of holding conversations, maintaining eye contact, and showing a genuine interest…face to face. When you have students become anxious about giving up their phones…complaining they are bored when there is a room full of people to talk to… that is a genuine problem…” Another teacher agreed, adding, “Although the internet is the primary way teens interact…it can also foster unrealistic expectations of friendships/relationships.” Many adults think this way, noticing the negative effects that social media and technology have had on the younger generation, but not all adults view it as entirely evil.
One teacher said, “My husband bonds with our 3 boys over playing Xbox together. It also allows them to play together with their friends who are all far away; they sometimes act like they think they are actually together. I think it must feel so realistic at times…” This teacher, who has young adult kids, sees the positive side of technology when it comes to communication and connection with others.
The argument between teens and adults concerning the impact of technology can be divided quite easily, while teens think it is a tool, others are worried that it interferes with their social skills. Ultimately, it depends on how it is used, and finding a balance may be the key to settling this argument.
