Some people suggest that social networking and online communication have increased social isolation. In what ways do you think this has happened? Give reasons for your answers and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
In the booming (sự bùng nổ) of the Internet and social networks, it is a prevalent phenomenon (hiện tượng phổ biến) that people of nearly all ages are too absorbed into virtual interactions to have time for real-life contact. This afflicting problem (vấn đề nhức nhối) is caused by the accommodation of personal needs and the reduction emotions in online communication.
Indeed, the provision of sought-after (được săn lùng) content to satisfy the Internet users can create addiction to the cyber space. (không gian mạng) The artificial intelligence is developed to an amazing extent that it can analyze and identify people’s needs and interests thanks to their web-browsing history. With this understanding about the Internet users, it constantly provides favourable contents through various channels including social networks. Not only those attractive contents that appeal to people but the convenience of birthday reminders, event registration, online shopping and many more online amenities (tiện ích) do draw attention and take up time previously allotted (được phân bổ) for other activities. When Internet connected cell phones or laptops have become close friends, they inevitably substitute social relationship and form chasms (khoảng cách = gaps) in people’s social lives.
Moreover, online interaction contributes to the reduction of emotions people feel for each other. The habit of communicating via social networks or posting updates of oneself on such platforms (nền tảng công nghệ) will somehow imply that one has been talking to a vast audience already. That may create a feeling of no need to share or catch up with each other in face-to-face meetings any more. Even worse, conversing (nói chuyện) through social networks, especially via text messages, somehow reduce emotions in conversation, increasing people’s willingness to share aspects of life too sensitive to confide in anyone before. That explains the increasing preference for communication mediated via technological tools which consequently pushes people away from real-life interactions.
All in all, the social isolation of people in this modern age stems from the huge fascination the online environment offers and the degradation (sự suy thoái) of emotions in online communication. (about 320 w)
