THE CONCLUSION
This paper has explored the question of whether or not social media affects the quality of interpersonal relationships. The ease and accessibility of social media has provided users the chance to communicate and interact so much more easily and freely. However, the quality of our interpersonal relationships can be impacted if we choose to rely on social media to control the communication in our relationships. Some have argued that the quality of relationships is not all impacted by social media, however my research has shown that social media hinders the quality of relationships because the dependence users have established for it over time. Though, it is important to understand that the quality of the relationship is not at risk until one establishes dependence for social media to facilitate communication.
When a technology sticks and spreading so quickly as social media, it is most certain that it will have a huge impact and the impacts can be both good and bad. However, we need to understand that communicating through social media is not a bad thing, not until we rely on it to do one of the most basic humanly functions, to interact and communicate. Communication and interaction is what, we as humans, desire to participate in order to be connected and avoid social isolation. Ahn and Shin emphasize this point and claim that humans are social beings, who are “...especially sensitive to detecting or anticipating social isolation because they tend to avoid the deprivation of interpersonal relations or group membership” (qtd. in Williams). Individuals want the reassurance that they can stay connected with each other all the time. Social media essentially provides that reassurance through multiple platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where individuals are able to interact and communicate through posts and comments and now even though likes. However, this reliance on social media is what can hinder the quality of the relationships we try to maintain. Ahn and Shin recognize that “direct human contact has long served as an important means of forming societies and enabling individuals to survive and to thrive (2455).” Face-to-face or direct contact is what enables individuals to experience true and meaningful interactions. It is important to understand that social media is a communication medium that is helpful in the process of maintaining relationships, but face-to-face interaction is the only way individuals will experience real, true, and significant interactions.
When a technology sticks and spreading so quickly as social media, it is most certain that it will have a huge impact and the impacts can be both good and bad. However, we need to understand that communicating through social media is not a bad thing, not until we rely on it to do one of the most basic humanly functions, to interact and communicate. Communication and interaction is what, we as humans, desire to participate in order to be connected and avoid social isolation. Ahn and Shin emphasize this point and claim that humans are social beings, who are “...especially sensitive to detecting or anticipating social isolation because they tend to avoid the deprivation of interpersonal relations or group membership” (qtd. in Williams). Individuals want the reassurance that they can stay connected with each other all the time. Social media essentially provides that reassurance through multiple platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, where individuals are able to interact and communicate through posts and comments and now even though likes. However, this reliance on social media is what can hinder the quality of the relationships we try to maintain. Ahn and Shin recognize that “direct human contact has long served as an important means of forming societies and enabling individuals to survive and to thrive (2455).” Face-to-face or direct contact is what enables individuals to experience true and meaningful interactions. It is important to understand that social media is a communication medium that is helpful in the process of maintaining relationships, but face-to-face interaction is the only way individuals will experience real, true, and significant interactions.