New research from the Pew Internet & American Life Project says that not only has technology not increased social isolation, but that regular internet and cellphone users are better connected with a wider network of social contacts.
OK – that may be true, but how meaningful are these social contacts? Having dozens of “friends” on Facebook, or regularly communicating with others in chat rooms does not a relationship make. What I found most troubling was the finding that the number of days in a year people contact their family/friends via cellphone (195 days) was only slightly less than the number of days they had face-to-face contact (210 days).
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we are in danger of losing the art of human interaction. Human beings are social animals – biologically we need to be together physically. Yet, increasingly we are conversing with family, friends and strangers without ever looking them in the eyes (a.k.a the ”windows of the soul”). I’m not as concerned for those of us who weren’t raised with cellphones, the internet or even PCs, but I fear that young people today aren’t learning the social skills they need to establish healthy relationships in the real world, not the virtual one.
The Pew researchers also found that internet users are more likely to go to seek out public places: “45 percent are more likely to visit a cafe and 52 percent are more likely to visit a library”. That may be true, but it doesn’t mean they’re interacting with others. Go to any Starbucks and you’ll find the majority of patrons sitting alone, staring into their laptops or intently punching the buttons of their blackberries. In fact, here in my community, there is a cafe which encourages their patrons to log on to their website to “chat” with other patrons in the cafe!!! Yes, actually chat on-line rather than pull up a chair when they’re just steps away from one another!! While there’s nothing wrong with making contacts on-line, true friendships need to be developed off-line, in-person.
Even at a potentially social place such as a gym people are plugged to their I-pods, sometimes even during a group exercise class. If they’re not going to interact with other gym-goers – why not just exercise at home?
It’s possible to be in a room full of people and still feel very alone and, according to the experts, that can be as harmful physiologically as it is psychologically. According to Dr. Barbara Brehm, professor of exercise and sports science at Smith College, “When you feel isolated, you get the same neuroendocrine and immune response as when you’re under (chronic) stress. You may have higher cortisol levels, which may lead to heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.”
On a more positive note, the Pew team found that bloggers are 72 percent “more likely to belong to a local voluntary association” than those who don’t blog. Volunteering is a great way to connect with other people and contribute to the community at the same time.
Speaking of volunteering, if you follow my blog you know I’ve written about the recent rash of teen suicides in my community. A group of concerned adults have now banded together to form “Track Watch“, a volunteer organization of community members who, in an effort to prevent further tragedies, conduct a nightly vigil at the train tracks where the suicides took place. I commend these people for taking the time to demonstrate to young people that they care. Furthermore, by showing up (in person) the volunteers also derive emotional support from one another. Coincidence or not, since Track Watch was formed, there have been no suicides or even attempted suicides.
Be Well,
Carolyn
