Is Social Media Killing Social Skills
IS SOCIAL MEDIA KILLING SOCIAL SKILLS?
Social media is taking up a lot of our time. So much so that conversing with each other face-to-face has suffered a huge blow. Anywhere you look in public spaces, people are glued to their smartphone screens. Also, conversing and speaking in full sentences has become a chore for some people. This is obviously due to the influence of social media and text SMS. Even at home, the number of families that sit down to have quality time together or to share a meal is declining.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email, SMS, and many other impersonal ways to communicate are taking over the place of talking and sharing. These modes of communication have their benefits such as being fast, easy, and available 27/7. But they should not take the place of face-to-face and verbal conversations.
Some people have forgotten how to construct a sentence, especially the young generation who only want to communicate via chats. In fact, when they get together with their friends they are unable to have a conversation. It’s gotten to the point where they instead get on their devices and text each other or other friends.
What can be done to change the situation?
Social media has an important role to play in society, but it must never replace human contact. Try to switch off the phones while at home with family or when having dinner and start the tradition of face to face communication. Share some quality time with your friends and have a good talk, get to know each other as individuals. Real conversation is important because it teaches us how to interact on a personal and human level.
The problem is that most of the time our eyes are glued to a device. Practice the art of conversation. Discipline yourself to put away your mobile device and learn to make eye contact. Learn how to listen and how to construct your thoughts into full sentences. In fact, make time to practice good verbal skills by taking up a lesson that addresses conversations skills. Dr. Nach’s Online Resources has lots of lessons that impact crucial interpersonal skills such as public speaking and communication.
The needed social skills
We need to learn how to interact properly as human beings. For this, we need to learn the following skills.
Synergistic interpersonal skills
We must practice active listening. This means maintaining eye contact and paying attention to what the other person has to say. Don’t interrupt or let your thoughts wander. Try to understand what is important to them. Learn to put yourself in their shoes, so to speak. Active listening is one of the most important social skills. Practicing it will make you more engaging and charismatic.
With synergistic international skills, you will be able to start and maintain conversations. You will also know how to disagree in a respectful and constructive manner. This will enable you to make and keep real friends.
Interpersonal skills will empower you to reap the benefits of being effective in group situations. You will be able to use tools such as ‘small talk” and active listening skills to have an impact on the social culture at work or in school. This will boost your self-esteem and eliminate the fear of criticism or feedback.
Beneficial conflict resolution skills
Interpersonal and group skills will enable you to develop and implement options and solutions to conflict. This will elevate your standing in social situations and make you an important member of the society. You can use these skills in all social settings including in school, at work, and in the social world. You will be able to interact well with others, influence situations, and become a leader.
So yes, social media is killing social skills. But there is a way to stop (and even reverse) that. And Dr. Nach’s Online Resources is here to help via well thought-out online lessons fit for people of all ages.
For more information about Dr. Nach’s Online Resources and how to enroll in our online lessons, visit our website at: http://drnachonline.com/
Dr. Eric Nach, Ph.D., M.Ed., A.S.D. Cert. Developmental and Behavioral Specialist and Associates
