Digital Era Communication, by Sanvi G

 Digital Era Communication

by Sanvi G

As we’re delving deeper into the Digital Era, our lives are becoming more and more dependent on technology, so much so that we’re even beginning to replace face-to-face interactions with online communication. There have been various viewpoints on this issue. Some believe that online communication is the superior mode, while others say that face-to-face interaction will never be replaced as the best mode. Though there are some drawbacks with it, digital communication is better than face-to-face communication for a plethora of reasons. Technology allows people to communicate more easily at a lower cost, and it also can be beneficial for many with special needs or social anxiety. While some may say that communicating electronically may lead to misunderstandings between friends, in-person communication can undoubtedly do the same thing, as humans sometimes aren’t the best at communicating their feelings.

Imagine you want to ask your friend what you should wear for a party. With in-person communication, there would be virtually no way to do so. With online, however, you could just shoot your friend a text and they'd probably respond, as both the sender and receiver have notifications on. It's faster, and you don't have to meet up with them in-person. Comparative to in-person meetings, the cost of texting someone is much cheaper. This is due to the fact that one needn't drive to a location to meet, saving gas, money, and time. If efficiency and saving money are your priority, it's clear to see that digital communication takes the cake.  

Some people just don't feel comfortable talking to others in person. This may be due to social anxiety, or just the fact that they have trouble expressing themselves. In person, they have to worry about a plethora of key elements. Body language, vocal inflection, and tone all are important to in-person communication. Some may struggle with these elements, giving people around them the wrong idea. For example, if someone has a habit of arching their brows, they may always seem either confused or angry, regardless of what they're trying to say. This may make it so that others are apprehensive of them, and they will feel socially awkward as a result of this. Online, however, it's not necessary to worry about all of this, as text doesn't usually convey emotion. They can start to feel more and more comfortable online, making more friends and building their social life. Digital communication can be an essential part of building one's social life. 

Though some may argue that online communication can be quick, careless, and full of errors, it's not as though in-person communication won't start fights either. In the heat of the moment, people may say things that they don’t mean. On the other hand, people usually think twice before sending a message with malicious intent. Additionally, humans by nature are known to spin stories. This is known as gossip. If two friends are in a disagreement, chances are that a third party, eager to make it seem more interesting, will start spreading false rumors. These false rumors can lead to disagreements between friends, which are much harder to resolve than digital arguments that start because of a direct misunderstanding. All in all, the issue of misunderstandings comes up in both online and in-person communication, because that's just the way humans are.

It's inevitable that people dislike online communication becoming more popular, but it's important to note that it will be the future of our population for two main reasons: the fact that it's more convenient and cheaper, and for the fact that it's more accommodating to those that don't like in-person communication. These reasons provide substantial ground for one to make the argument that online communication is above in-person communication. Some may say that online communication doesn't send the intended message across effectively and may cause rifts between friends, but it's better than the alternative of in-person communication starting problems because of rumors, gossip, and saying things one doesn't mean. Digital interaction is the future for its many benefits when compared to face-to-face communication.