Yea, On Line Communication

"In all affairs, it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted."– Bertrand Russell

This article was found in the August 16, 2011 Wall Street Journal, “Could Those Hours Online Be Making Kids Nicer? In this case kids are actually college students. Research suggests that the widespread use of texting, e-mailing or posting on social media sites, has social benefits. Remember these are college kids. Recent studies indicate that digital communication can lead to better friendships online and off, greater honesty, faster intimacy, better relationships and a sense of belonging. These findings are associated with Maslow’s theory of hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, after satiating physiological and safety needs follow becoming part of, belonging, and developing affiliative needs. Developing and meeting one’s sense of attachment and belonging are important for all of us.

According to Nancy Baym a communications studies professor at the University of Kansas, “people use digital communication primarily to interact with people that they are closest to off-line, not with strangers. The communication tightens the bonds between them.” Other studies suggest that technology driven communication may be particularly helpful for people who are shy or anxious in social settings. Dr. Larry Rosen found that frequent communication online services assists people by providing them with practice in social interactions which is easier than face-to-face involvement. While scanning dozens of Face book profiles looking for comments individuals posted and the responses to them such as supportive messages, the researchers suggested that an apparent understanding of the messages meant empathy.

Nancy Ellison, professor in telecommunications at Michigan State University, found that digital communication appears to bolster an individual’s sense of community and group identity in her study with low self-esteem students.

Apparently some of the drawbacks of online communication were not as bad as the researchers originally believed. In a survey of 3,777 teenagers, nearly 45% reported some bulling in the past year. However about 40% said they had been bullied in person compared to only 20% online or by phone or text messaging.  In another survey two thirds of the kids said they were bullied online but indicated that it didn’t bother them. Supposedly, young people are still far more likely to see sexual content or violence on television than online according to Michelle Ybarra, president of the nonprofit research group Internet Solutions for Kids Inc.

Well thank goodness for online communication. Just think if we didn’t have online communication, how would we develop friendships, social networks and meet our sense of belonging needs? Although this article pertains to college kids can we generalize from the results and apply them to ourselves or our children?

How has online communication benefited you? Has it helped you meet your sense of belonging needs? Are you more connected to people because of the ability to text, e-mail, etc.? Thank goodness there are some positives associated with online communication. I for one, now spend more time at the computer than ever before in my lifetime. If I did not exercise and run, I shudder to think of the negative implications regarding my physical and emotional well-being.

 Thank you ride and tie for giving me the avenue, opportunity, and motivation to develop my physical side. I know that sport has been a real blessing for me. I would like to give you the opportunity as well so I invite you to attend the Cool Ride and Tie on October 1, 2011