Social media’s expedient nature, while creating the possibility of engagement in situations where it would be otherwise impossible, provides participants with an excuse for opting out of deeper, more personal forms of socialization. Emily Drago, writing in the Elon Journal of Undergraduate Research in Communications, reports that a survey of Elon University students found 92% of respondents agreeing “technology negatively affects face-to-face communication.”

References

Allen, S. 2019. Social media’s growing impact on our lives. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/members/content/social-media-research

Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor B. 2014. Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review. Children and Youth Services Review. 41. 27-36. 10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.03.001

Twenge, J., Spitzberg, B., & Campbell, W. 2019. Less in-person social interaction with peers among U.S. adolescents in the 21st century and links to loneliness. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(6). 1892-1913. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519836170

Drago, E. 2015. The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication. ELON JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN COMMUNICATIONS. 6(1). http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1137/2/the-effect-of-technology-on-face-to-face-communication

Przybylski, A., Weinstein, N. 2012. Can you connect with me now? How the presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. 30(3). 237-246. 10.1177/0265407512453827