While connecting students to their friends and family in the virtual world, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter are disconnecting students from the real world. Rani Anandan, a senior and international cultural studies major from American Samoa said she sometimes feels social media sites like Facebook, can make comunication easier even with people she doesn’t know well. But she also thinks it makes people less inclined to reach out and make friends in everyday life. “It sometimes feels like people have more confidence in their online persona than in real life. Our identities these days are just so closely linked with technology, and the line between what is real and what is virtual is constantly being blurred with all of these technological advancements,” said Anandan. Another student, McKae Joyner, a senior and ICS major from Washington, agreed with Anandan. “As great as being connected is, I think technology somewhat hinders our communication with those around us. We are on our devices so much that we sometimes miss out on real life in the moment,” Joyner said. The everyday use of technology can also affect our concentration on other important aspects of our lives. “Technology can be very distracting when it comes to doing school assignments, so I limit my time on the computer and try to avoid nonessential social media sites like Twitter,” said Brandon Johnson, a junior and business management major from New Jersey. Johnson, a newly baptized member of the LDS faith, is also weary of the effects technology has on his budding testimony. “Since technology is a tool, it can also be used as a tool of Satan in drawing us away from spiritual things, such as people choosing to be on their cell phones during church and not opening up room for the spirit during that sacred church time,” said Johnson. For some plugged in students at BYUH, their digital presence proves an asset towards future career paths in cultivating a professional network. “Being a musician, I also see the great potential people have in using the Internet to promote themselves and get noticed,” Johnson said, referencing to artist Justin Beiber’s YouTube success. “The Internet allows us to promote ourselves in a variety of different formats and is a great tool for marketing. Technology can be used for good or for bad,” said Johnson.
Writer: Sydney Odell~Multimedia Journalist
