Most people agree that our friends and family are the most important part of our lives. But the way we interact with our loved ones has changed, thanks to technological advances such as texting, skyping, online messaging and social networking. Even the way we find new people has drastically changed, thanks to advances such as online dating and social media.
It used to be that when you wanted to catch up with a friend, you’d pop round her house or call her on the phone. Nowadays, you’re just as likely to ping her on Facebook or drop her a tweet. But are you really connecting with your friends? Is a smiley face emoticon the same as seeing your smile for real?
Only around 7% of our communication is conveyed by the words we use and the rest is in our body language, facial expressions, and gestures. So it’s clear that we are missing a lot when we rely too heavily on online messaging and neglect the real time communication that everyone enjoys. Hugs, smiles, and just spending time in another person’s company are all fundamental human needs.
On the other hand, texting and messaging can have a positive influence on relationships of all kinds. Many people have met the love of their life online, and when you look at the facts about online dating, it is nowhere near a scary or mysterious concept as it used to be. I am a witness to an online love affair. My high school best friend met her partner through online and it worked really well with them, now they are happily married for 5 years!
Before mobile phones, organising a night out or meal with friends and family was a lot of effort – nowadays, it’s much easier to send a text around or set up a Facebook invite to get everyone together. It’s much more convenient if you want to change plans at the last minute, too.
Keeping in touch is easier too. If your loved ones are far away, you can still keep up with their daily lives through social media, email, messaging, texting and video calls. Staying close with people even when you’re miles apart is a wonderful gift that technology has given us.
Of course, it’s important to keep a balance between time spent online and time spent with your friends in person. As long as you use it wisely, technology can be a way to enhance and deepen your most important relationships and stay close with those you love.
earthlingorgeous says
November 18, 2013 at 1:08 pma study shows that people who talk everyday online is more closer than those who see each other everyday but not talk
Tetcha Figuerres says
November 18, 2013 at 2:50 pmYes, I agree with you; there should really be a balance between virtual communication and face-to-face conversation with family and friends!
Eileen says
December 9, 2013 at 8:24 pmCommunication, whether virtual or actual is always a welcome daily activity. Sometimes when it is not possible for people to actually meet up and talk, they would have to make do with text messages, phone calls or email. As long as the sincerity is there, it does not really matter how you communicate.
Lexie Lane says
December 9, 2013 at 10:49 pmI remember the days when we used to have to wait until we got home to hear a phone call. Pagers came later and it just felt a little more exciting then.Now all the forms of communication are just added work. I think so at least. Getting closer? Not so sure.
Wood Arts Universe says
December 9, 2013 at 11:39 pmI agree with you.. it’s very important to keep balance in life but I feel sending SMS and doing online work saves a lot of time.
Trisha says
December 10, 2013 at 12:18 amI also agree that it’s vital to keep a balance between time spent friends and family in person and online. I love the convenience of being able to quickly connect w/ friends and family via phone/text/FB but its still important to connect in person as well,
GossipMoms (@GossipMoms) says
December 10, 2013 at 12:27 amIt seem like technology has taken over
Savannah miller says
December 10, 2013 at 4:15 amI talk to my sister and brother online, but I see them at least 2 or 3 times a week. My parents aren’t on the computer, but it doesn’t matter since I live right next door 🙂
I do wish I took more time though to see my friends it seems we rely way to much on facebook and emails.
Jenn says
December 10, 2013 at 4:59 amGreat post! Too often do you read that online is awful for relationships, but I agree with you there is some definite benefits! Lets face it! If Social media was so bad, it wouldn’t be a popular as it is!
Lauren Harmon says
December 10, 2013 at 7:46 amI love everything about this article, so very interesting and a great reminder that “real talk” is important! I know that I heavily rely on body language, facial expressions, and gestures to tell me how a person really feels or what they really mean, it’s easy to misinterpret text or e-mail so I much prefer a face-to-face conversation!
Shanna says
December 10, 2013 at 10:04 amDefinitely need a balance. There are some friends who I only talk to online but am closer to than friends I see all the time.
Jennifer Williams says
December 10, 2013 at 11:11 amAll of my friends that I communicate with are from meeting them online, I have only spoke with a couple of them twice. I think you have to find what works for you as a person. Some of the people I consider my closest friends I have never actually met or spoken with except online in groups.
katherine says
December 10, 2013 at 9:50 pmCommunication is a huge key! Great post!
Garf says
December 11, 2013 at 12:36 amI met my husband online and we have been married for almost nine years 🙂 .
Debi says
December 11, 2013 at 11:24 pmPersonally if I have to rely on actually talking on the phone to people, I never get to talk to them. If I get to text with them, I get to at least touch base.