Internet communication results in losing real-life social skills (Сочинения ЕГЭ английский язык)

Virtual Internet Communication: The Downside of Losing

eal-Life Social Skills

We live in a world that is more connected than ever before thanks to the internet. With just a click of a button, one can be transported to a world of endless possibilities. The rise of social media and other similar platforms has made it easier for people to connect and communicate with one another, regardless of their location. While this has countless benefits, there's an underlying downside that nobody wants to acknowledge: virtual internet communication can result in losing real-life social skills.

In the past, people had to put in a lot of effort to connect with others. They had to go out of their way to meet new people and socialize with them, which meant there were always opportunities to practice their communication and social skills. However, with the advent of the internet and its easy-to-use communication tools, things have taken a complete turn. Whether it's for work purposes or personal reasons, communicating through a screen has become the norm.

The issue with virtual internet communication is that it is devoid of all the emotions, body language, and nuances of face-to-face interaction.

This means that people have less opportunity to hone their social skills, such as reading nonverbal cues, active listening, and empathetic responses. This, in turn, can lead to social awkwardness, the inability to hold meaningful conversations, and a general lack of confidence in social situations.

Another downside of relying on virtual communication is the inability to learn and develop public speaking skills, a vital aspect of communication that forms the basis of many professions. Through virtual communication, one does not get to practice proper enunciation, intonation, and modulation of voice, which are essential for public speaking. This can result in missed opportunities to showcase one's skills and talents in professional or public settings.

Moreover, social skills such as teamwork and collaboration are best learned through real-life interaction. While virtual communication tools such as instant messaging and video conferencing allow for remote collaboration, it cannot replace the power of face-to-face interactions. Learning teamwork and collaboration skills can help build a sense of mutual respect and understanding, which can lead to better work outcomes and more fulfilling personal relationships.

It's also worth mentioning that social media can be addictive, leading to a vicious cycle of online interaction that blurs reality, which can lead to neglecting other important aspects of life such as hobbies, exercise, and family time. Preventing this requires discipline and a conscious effort to set time limits for social media use.

In conclusion, while virtual internet communication has irrefutable benefits, we must acknowledge that over-dependence on it can result in losing real-life social skills. This can cause one to miss out on meaningful and enriching experiences and opportunities, such as cultivating interpersonal relationships, participating in public speaking, and developing team collaboration skills. As such, it is up to us to maintain balance and moderation, using virtual communication as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, face-to-face interactions.