With greater communications comes greater responsibilities

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It is amazing that technology has advanced so far, but it has come at the cost of communication.

With posts, tweets, snaps and chats it seems every friend and family member is a few clicks away. But, with a heightened ability to come in contact with many friends and family, a disconnect from daily life is created. People may like or retweet a persons post but avoid eye contact in real life.

It is amazing that technology has advanced so far, but it has come at the cost of communication.

With posts, tweets, snaps and chats it seems every friend and family member is a few clicks away. But, with a heightened ability to come in contact with many friends and family, a disconnect from daily life is created. People may like or retweet a persons post but avoid eye contact in real life.

Social media and technology in general has the ability to be an amazing asset, but its major downfall seems to be the inability to use it responsibly. Cellphones especially have created an addiction that leave people clinging to their phones and even feeling naked if they do not have it with them. Nine out of 10 teenagers today own a cellphone with access to the web. Suffering from this, the Internet has widely become a means for bullying. As if bullying was not already an issue without the ease of access, it is now even simpler to harm others with the ability to hide behind screens without realizing consequences of words and actions. Studies show that 43 percent of teens between 13 and 17 said they have been the victim of some form of online bullying and 80 percent of cyber bullies said they believe that it is easier to hide what they are doing, unlike in real life. Every generation is still adapting to the explosive growth of technology and what needs to happen is it needs to be extensively studied. Parents need to monitor and regulate Internet activity just as much as teens need to be taught the importance of using it correctly.

Studies show that along with the increase of technology based activity, mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety have also increased. Staring at screens has done no favors for health.

Technology can be an advantage and a way to mobilize the public on political issues, share major life events with friends and family, promote community outreach, build new connections and renew old ones. On the other hand it can be a monotonous waste of time and space with posts containing nothing more monumental than meaningless droning. While it is usually no harm to post content of little value, it is a waste of time. Productivity is a factor that can be increased if people are taught in the light that the way they act here on earth leaves an ecological footprint, in the same way the way they act online leaves a mark as well.

There are currently many different classes on how to use technology in general. What there needs to be more of however are classes on how to use technology more responsibly and efficiently.