Social media are platforms which offer communication among individuals via electronic devices across the world. They include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Whatsapp among others. People converse through chatting, tweeting, and posting and in response; they get likes, comments, and reactions. An interpersonal relationship is a rapport established between two or more people through interactions among themselves, and in this case, via digital devices. They impact both positively and negatively on interpersonal relationships. However, in recent times, it is almost insane for youths not to belong to any or all the social media platforms. Thus, the question of concern is, does social media enhance or hinder interpersonal relationship?
Social Media Enhance Interpersonal Relationship
The argument that social media enhance the interpersonal relationship is guided through the article “The Impact of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships by Tan in 2018. The most interesting points are that social media enhance instant messaging, and, thus, foster communications.
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Social media provide a platform for instant messaging. Therefore, it enhances communication among people from distant places without necessarily moving to get the required feedback. It reduces the distance and speed that could otherwise be used to move physically for face to face communications ( Tan, 2018). In this case, there is the building of new relationships and maintaining of existing ones. People who could have separated along time ago can reunite on social media like Facebook. They can be ex-friends or relatives identified from the similarity of their names. Similarly, strangers can chat on social media, share photos and exchange contacts for physical meetings, which may result in long term relationships ( Tan, 2018). Consequently, social media has improved interpersonal relationships .
The article by Tan (2018) supports the fact that social media enhances interpersonal relationships through instant messaging. Furthermore, the article holds that the messaging available on social media bridges the gap in communication between distance and time since anyone can be reached instantly as long as they are connected to social media. Therefore, were it not for social media, strangers and people who lost contact due to distance could not connect. Skype and video calls make people feel that the distance has been eliminated; building them stronger attractions. Moreover, through information sharing, people get to learn about each other which boost interpersonal relationships. Usually, instant messaging provides a mode of immediate feedback which is similar to face to face communication. The article also states that people of different races, professions, nationalities and statuses converge on social media due to their desire to share information (Tan, 2018). As, Hardy, Foster, and Zuniga y Postigo (2015) indicate, the power of argument in the creation of opinions supports social harmony regardless of diversity and disparity in views, and people gain from presenting distinctive positions in debated issues. As such, through the messaging offered by social media, people get to argue resulting in social harmony, which further translates to better interpersonal relationships.
Nonetheless, the power of argument in the formation of our beliefs is
that it supports social harmony despite diversity and disagreement in views, and we all gain
from presenting our unique positions in debated issues.
Nonetheless, the power of argument in the formation of our beliefs is
that it supports social harmony despite diversity and disagreement in views, and we all gain
from presenting our unique positions in debated issues.
Nonetheless, the power of argument in the formation of our beliefs is
that it supports social harmony despite diversity and disagreement in views, and we all gain
from presenting our unique positions in debated issues.
Social Media Hinder Interpersonal Relationship
On the other hand, the argument that social media hinders interpersonal relationships is informed by the article, “The Effects of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships” by Ultius, Inc. in 2015. The article states that people are addicted to social media; thus, get detached and disconnected from one another. It also says that people prefer existing in a virtual world than the actual world.
Social media is leading people to get disconnected and detached from one another. It is for the reason that people have become more addicted to social media. Therefore, they spend most of the time conversing on their digital devices lacking time to speak to physical beings. It causes people to exist in a room in silence as everyone concentrates on social media conversations. Notably, people have lost the need for physical face-face communication due to constant messaging with distant people. People feel more comfortable chatting at their seats than going to meet friends. Consequently, they exist in a virtual world rather than the actual world. As a result, social media hinder interpersonal relationships.
The 2015 article by Ultius, Inc. has substantial evidence that supports the argument that social media hinder interpersonal relationships. The article discusses how social media alienates people from one another because a group of friends can be together but they are not talking to each other, and neither would they be holding a conversation or engagement. Instead, they would be busy with their devices checking tweets from other people around the world. Also, the quality of the information provided on social media is compromised regarding the number of messages (Ultius, Inc, 2015). There usually are too many conversations, which one is compelled to answer. Thus, it is irrational since less thinking is involved. Additionally, most people who join Facebook do not achieve their goal of being happy, but instead, they are sad. This is because they may feel like failures as they see others posting and sharing the best of themselves concerning success. As such, Ultius, Inc. (2015) substantially argues that social media hinders interpersonal relationships. In line with what Hardy, Foster, and Zuniga y Postigo (2015) hold, social media indeed hinder interpersonal relationships as people are discouraged from asking, become tired, or get satisfied. Subsequently, they accept all that they are told or shown by failing to filter through questioning like children, making them vulnerable to manipulation and deceit. Similarly, this will cause people to rely totally on emotions or past encounters for their decisions and judgments.
Conclusion
Therefore, social media enhance as well as hinder interpersonal relationships. They enhance interpersonal relationships through improved communication among people by the aid of instant messaging. Nonetheless, they hinder interpersonal relationships through the addiction of people on social media; thus, they concentrate more on the media lacking time to socialise with others physically and face to face.
References
Hardy, J., Foster, C., & Zuniga y Postigo, G. (2015). With good reason: A guide to critical thinking [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Tan, C. (2018). The Impact of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships - Jarvee. Retrieved from https://jarvee.com/impact-social-media-interpersonal-relationships-2/
Ultius, Inc. (2015). The Effects of Social Media on Interpersonal Relationships. Retrieved from https://www.ultius.com/ultius-blog/entry/the-effects-of-social-media-on-interpersonal-relationships.html
