The Internet can be a glorious thing. We have instant access to so much information it makes my head spin sometimes. I was just sitting here trying to remember a time when I did not have the Internet. Even more so, a time when social media did not exist. The only way to interact with people was to talk to them in person, or if you were lucky, you could talk to them on the phone. I spent many hours using telephones when I was younger. I remember using the land line at my house to talk to my friends when we weren’t at school. Once cell phones came out and I was finally allowed to have one I remember having to wait until after 7pm to make phone calls because it was free minutes. Data did not exist. Texting was not common at all because it cost extra. Cell phones did not have cameras on them quite yet.
In years to follow, phones were getting “smarter” you could text and call who ever you wanted to. Send pictures to people and upload them to your computer. I remember using the site Xanga as my first social media experience. However, that site did not last long because then MYSPACE came along. Remember having your top 8 friends? Had a fight with a friend, demote them a few spaces and they knew you were mad at them. It was silly really. Myspace wasn’t really about the constant posting of what you are doing or feeling. At least not when I was using it. Then eventually in the following years, out came Facebook and Internet access on cellphones.
Facebook has allowed us to post what we are thinking, feeling, seeing, and doing. Sharing those things with the people that we have literally “accepted” as our friends. Then at some point in time, we became so obsessed with the minute to minute posts, that we just stopped face to face contact with these people and stayed put behind our phones.
How many times per week do you call someone to catch up on their life?
For me personally, very rarely do I call people. I can sit here and say that it is mostly because my hearing sucks and it is much worse over the phone. Truth is that it is mostly because I don’t exactly need to call people when I have direct access (to those whom are important to me) nearly play by play posts on Facebook.
Have we as a society become complacent and accepting that this is “normal” to know people and consider them important enough that we need to see their play by play online, but we still don’t pick up the phone and call them, or even see them?
I think of my ancestors and how they communicated with people whom were important to them, via mail. Do people even write and mail letters anymore? Or even further back in time, when mail did not exist and the only way to communicate was to travel, which is why families opted *usually* to live near each other so that they did not have to travel far in extreme conditions to communicate a simple message.
Have we gotten so complacent in social media that we would rather sit at home and read about some one’s night or day via a simple status? What about those people that are on your Facebook friend’s list, but you don’t even speak to them or see them? Do people feel there is some sort of obligation to keep up on the lives of people they once knew, for memories sake? What about the family that you don’t see or speak to, but they have zero problem voicing their opinion when they are left out of your loop when something important to you happens? What does this really say about us?
Let me know your thoughts on this. I would like to see perspectives of other people. Did social media change your relationships with your family or friends? IF it did, was it for the better or worse?
Jenn
Reclaiming My Sanity 
I think people avoid what they are uncomfortable doing. People avoid picking up the phone and calling because it is easier to get out of an uncomfortable conversation if you are texting or messaging back and forth. Social media has made people even more isolated. Children no longer go outside and play with neighborhood kids because of fears parents or even kids have instead they are isolated behind fences or computer screens. Unfortunately this is a new normal that is scary for the future. The isolation and hiding behind screens will only create a more private and indivual more judging world.
LikeLike
Hi JP! I agree with what you are saying. I often think about what kind of future my kids will have with all this technology that they have access to. I can also agree that people avoid uncomfortable situations, but when did people start getting uncomfortable with the people they already know?
LikeLike
People don't hold children accountable anymore. Some parent's that I've heard of through mutual friends, that when they come home from work they are too tired to do anything with their child[ren]. So what do you do? You give the child something to keep them away to not bother you. Children are not forced into being isolated and only stay behind computer screens on their own. The ADULTS are feeding that want. So when adults comply with giving these things, what kind of children are we making? We are all hypocrites. We give them all the technology because we can. Then, at the same time, we bash other people for doing it and claim that “we will never do that” or “what's wrong with today's youth?” It's the adults. It's become the new normal.
LikeLike
Hi POP! I have heard people using technology to keep their kids away from them because they are too tired. I know I have been guilty of it myself sometimes.
Do you think too much technology is used in schools? For instance, I once saw a sign at a daycare that they were offering iPad classes for toddlers. Do you think part of the issue is kids starting too young? Or do you think it truly is beneficial for their future to learn these things earlier?
LikeLike
As we all know, technology is advancing everyday. Something as simple as your child learning to use the remote or press the buttons on the tv, are both using technology. I would say teaching a toddler to use an ipad is a little much. But on the other hand, classrooms are advancing and using them everyday in different ways. So in a way, it's going to happen whether we like it or not.
And I forgot to answer the question about it effecting families. I personally have family that lives in Alaska and that's pretty far away from me. So sometimes I think visuals such as pictures, help a lot more with staying in touch. You don't have to wait for the letter in the mail and worry about if it made it there. I also have family that I'm not friends with on social media. Frankly, I just don't know them well enough that I want to add them. Some I only see once every 10 years. So a picture or status update to a large group of people is easier than trying to do it individually to many people. I do have family that like to voice opinions even if you don't want to hear it. I think it's just in human nature. People are going to give the opinion whether you want to hear it or not.
LikeLike