Octobar 2024,
Having computers and smartphones, in our daily lives have greatly impacted the way we communicate with others. While these things have many benefits, it is more important than ever, that face-to-face interactions are not replaced entirely. Young people must develop social skills through real-life interactions, because they play a significant role in building and maintaining relationships, both personally and in the workforce. For instance, the ability to effectively express thoughts is essential in handling communication, negotiation, conflicts, and even compliments and supportive words in romantic relationships. Without these skills, a relationship may become dull and eventually deteriorate and die of boredom. Parenting also requires exceptional social skills, as we are the primary example for our children to emulate. By watching us interact with others, they learn common sense and how to communicate effectively. However, if we lack these skills, what kind of life will they lead? If technology continues to dominate our free time, will future generations miss out on learning non-verbal cues, facial expressions, and body language that only humans can convey? Will this lead to these vital skills becoming obsolete due to a lack of interest? How will they know if someone is lying, bored, taking advantage, or scamming, if they are no longer exposed to non-verbal language? What if our physical world becomes smaller and lonelier, and we only see photos and information instead of experiencing the sounds of joy that developing friendships brings to us? What if our children’s only source of entertainment is a phone, iPad, or TV, and they no longer have the opportunity to jump on the Park equipment, attend friend’s birthday parties, or play games together? Will Parks no longer exist? As education shifts to online platforms, will they miss out on looking into someone’s eyes, gossiping, giggling together, telling and hearing jokes, or holding hands? We must recognize the impact technology has on our social skills and make a conscious effort to maintain and develop them. Teasing and bullying will never make us stronger. Even if we run away, what if we can’t talk to anyone about things that bother us? If we are unsocial and aren’t able to stand up for ourselves we appear and feel weaker and we become vulnerable to further bullying. We need to have the confidence to stand up for what is right. That is a social skill. Bullying online is even worse, it removes our confidence and value. We take it personally, we can’t stop reading it, and we feel helpless or without value. Everyone is so wrapped up in themselves and their technology they don’t have time to listen anyway. Family activities now a days, means that everyone is under the same roof at home, and looking at their devices silently with their family. My parents talked to us, we were taught how to play cards and games. we sat in a row and scratched each other’s backs, we showed our parents stuff and they listened and asked questions. They told us stuff and we listened and asked questions, we ate dinner together and everyone got a turn to talk, and we laughed and had fun with our family. All that is rare today, Instead, Little children are managed with their own tech toys or TV. There is less and less interaction for enjoyment. Talking to each other is all business, for example, “Was this or that done”? and “What are the plans and schedules”? That’s it, family management not family time and activities. I hear kids asking if it’s ok to hug their father, everything is sexualized of course it’s ok to hug your father. He is supposed to be your role model for all men in your life. Your social skills teach you when things are not ok, Technology itself is not a teacher of instincts of who and what is good-safe or bad-unhealthy. They only come from trial and error, intuition, life experience, and human interaction. I jumped on the sofa with my dad to watch the news and get an hour in his loving arms, because my dad taught me that he was safe, reliable, and honest by spending my childhood telling me everything I needed to know, and showing me what a real man is supposed to be like. We don’t always get the parents we need, I get that, sometimes we don’t get the parents we want either, but they are the ones we have, and we need to develop common sense by interacting with people, observing, and being aware. Those are Social Skills we need to develop these human skills, and we cannot do that on a computer or a phone app. When we can’t talk, it makes us weaker, less confident, less supported, less aware of the world, and less intelligent. No one is learning the extra life skills that are not taught in school. Especially the skills of common sense. Instead, They are entertaining themselves on their devices, and unable to communicate. Let’s not forget that people these days get degraded and ridiculed more, there is no more tolerance for human error, and as for the importance of forgiveness; it’s a word that seems to be disappearing from our dictionaries in this increasingly antisocial world. Children have less positive emotions and more negative emotions. They are certainly more entitled than I ever was. They seem unaware or are uncomfortable with polite niceties like please and thank you, excuse me, or “After you” They seem to think they have to win or be first at things. They are taught fear and to dis-associate with others because there is no longer any common sense, trust, or meaningful interactions with fellow humans. Parents are also unhappy with this crazy world, so children are learning to be angrier, and have more ADHD, (except on devices) funny that! Are we raising unconnected, unsociable, shorter versions of self-serving, indulgent adult-like humans who don’t know what to say or how to say it in front of others? Humans are social they need interactive communication and social skills to handle the complexities of life. This whole scenario I laid out, may sound extreme, but what IS coming when people cease to interact in a social world today, that’s changing rapidly? In the workplace, being able to effectively communicate and build relationships with coworkers, clients, and superiors is crucial for career growth. Some people are so used to doing whatever they want that they cannot respect authority in a work environment. Imagine leaving the steady income of a job because you have no social skills to feel adequate there. The art of conversation ended with social media, (UN-social media)?
Young people can also benefit from seeking out mentors or role models who possess strong social skills and emulate them. ( observing and learning from these individuals). A really important way to develop social skills is by learning how to handle conflict and difficult situations. Understanding how to assert yourself without fear and be able to read between the lines, which involves common sense, can help people to navigate others more effectively and avoid conflicts. This will increase your self-confidence. Assertiveness, self-confidence, understanding nonverbal cues, common sense, and becoming more capable of effectively expressing your thoughts can help you connect with people from all walks of life. We are all important. It’s self-value and self-confidence that is the key to being able to talk to anyone. Good Social Skills will never go out of style. You can talk with some of the most influential people and intimidating people in the world, be yourself, and never lose the common touch. Observe listen, learn, use instinct and common sense, speak gently but with confidence, and succeed. If you spend all your free time entertaining yourself on your devices, you’ll always feel lonely inside. Be who you were made to be, a valuable Social Human being.
What do you think technology is doing to young people? What are some things that might help them improve their interactions and win confidence? Leave them in the comments. Lauraina Bashir