In today’s world, technology plays a huge role in how we communicate. Many students argue that it has made life easier, while others believe it has damaged real friendships. After our recent class discussion, I realised that technology affects our social lives in both positive and negative ways.
On one hand, technology allows us to connect with people wherever they live. Apps like WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat make it possible to talk to friends and family instantly. This is especially helpful for students who have moved schools or live far away from relatives. Without technology, it would be much harder to stay in touch. It also gives shy people a comfortable way to communicate, helping them build confidence before talking face-to-face.
However, we cannot ignore the disadvantages. Many students have hundreds of online “friends”, but very few of those relationships feel real. Social media can make people compare themselves to others and feel left out when they see posts about events they were not invited to. Spending too much time on screens also reduces the time we spend having real conversations, which are important for developing trust and empathy.
In my opinion, technology is not the problem itself—how we use it is what matters. If we balance online communication with real-life interactions, technology can actually improve our social lives instead of replacing them.
