How Important Is Face-To-Face Communication?
from the interesting-questions dept
Every few months or so we see yet another study talking about how the internet is harming social relationships or something, because it takes time away from them. The response, as always, is that such studies are bogus, because they never take into account the fact that most internet time is used communicating with others -- building up different kinds of social relationships. The latest study on internet usage seems to recognize this fact, but still claims internet usage is dangerous to social relationships. The argument notes that, even though over 50% of time spent online is spent communicating, it still takes away from face-to-face interaction... and that's bad. It's that last part where the jump isn't explained. The researchers just seem to assume that face-to-face interaction is better than other kinds. While it's definitely true for some kinds of relationships, is it necessarily true for all?