by Rebeca Mora
So, welcome to the 21st century: an era where texting and Facebook messages are the solution to anything! And by anything I mean EVERYTHING!
Used for relationship breakups, asking for the homework due 
tomorrow (and unfortunately, also to bully others). Social media has become a favorite tool. Online communication has expanded immensely around the world and is routinely used by us teenagers. But just as much as it can make our lives easier, it can also create problems and a lot of bad social habits.
I am pretty sure that we have all reunited with one good old friend that we thought we’d lost contact with. How? Through Facebook or Instagram. In addition, we can no longer escape that one annoying family member from your native country who randomly messages you or comments on your pictures. Many times we don’t remember that thirty years ago, everything was completely different for teenagers. Instead of just texting or double tapping Instagram pictures, people years ago would have to actually go to the person they wanted to communicate with and express their thoughts and emotions to them face to face.
I believe that many times these social networks create new barriers to communication, especially when it comes to communicating with others verbally. Conversations that were once full of spontaneous intimacy, facial expressions and ideas are now replaced with recycled rumors and close-minded statements. Now don’t get me wrong, this does not involve everybody, but it is very common. Many times you will walk into a room of 20 students and at least 18 of them have their smart phones out! This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but don’t you think that speaking instead of texting is more efficient?
Social networks have also caused many problems is relationships. Not necessarily in couples, but in family and friendship bonds. Misinterpretation of messages is one of the reasons why such bonds get broken. Another big issue is people divulging every little detail that occurs in their day. Especially, those details that should not be publicly exposed. Family relationships are loosening because instead of talking about how our day was, we type the info in. Instead of asking our parents simple questions, we rush to Google for our answers.
Verbal communication has dwindled over time because of the excessive use of social networks. Sometimes we take online communication too seriously and forget that it’s just a simple computer in front of us. Think about it… whatever happens online, stays online in one form or another no matter how many times you press delete. Even worse, a negative comment that you posted on someone’s status or picture will stay on that person’s mind. There many ways that social networks disrupt our direct communication. So let’s not get too comfortable with relating to each other mostly online. Next time when you’re with your friends and family, drop that phone and start chatting!