How modern technology has changed the way we communicate with one another

(Topic 3:An understanding of how changes in technology impact on the way humans communicate, and the ethical issues that surround these changes)

The average American young adult receives over 100 messages over digital communication technologies (DCT) each day (Thompson, P., 2017). This marks a huge departure from the old methods of communication, and as the way we communicate with each other has changed so rapidly, it’s worth asking exactly how these enormous changes have affected our lives.

DCT has introduced a great number of new modes of communication. In the past if we wanted to communicate with someone without physically visiting them we could mail a letter, wire a message, or (by 1900 or so) make a telephone call. DCT has either improved upon or rendered utterly obsolete all three of these. Letters and telegraphs are replaced by e-mail, text messages, and social media, and calls can now be taken from mobile devices between any two points on the Earth. On top of this, these technologies work almost instantaneously.

Because of these changes, we don’t have to plan out communication ahead of time, as messages are now instant and can go anywhere. However, to utilise the speed of these technologies, we are now expected to be available to respond for far longer than we were once required, especially in the workplace. This is negatively affecting people’s work-life balance (Diaz, I., Chiaburu, D., Zimmerman, R., & Boswell, W., 2012). The obvious ethical question here is: Should we be expected to be available to communicate for work outside of work hours? It could increase productivity, but Diaz, I. et al (2012) found that the work-life conflict that this often causes could be unhealthy.

Regardless of which choice we end up taking, DCT is already forcing us to tackle ethical questions, and it will continue to do so in future.

References:

Buser, T., & Peter, N. (2012). Multitasking. Experimental Economics, 15(4), 641-655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10683-012-9318-8

Diaz, I., Chiaburu, D., Zimmerman, R., & Boswell, W. (2012). Communication technology: Pros and cons of constant connection to work. Journal of Vocational Behavior,80(2), 500-508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.08.007

Thompson, P. (2017). Communication technology use and study skills. Active Learning in Higher Education, 18(3), 257–270.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1469787417715204