Last week’s CI CyberNews CyberPoll asked if technologies such as e-mail, social networking and online hobby groups are negatively impacting our meaningful personal relationships with families and neighbors. Respondents answered:

Yes, this is happening, and it is a change for the worse: 46.2%
No, this is not happening: 38.5%
Not sure: 15.3%
Yes, this is happening, but it is a good thing: 0%

Comments included:

“This proliferation of inanimate, and often superfluous, communication results in fostering ‘impersonal’ relationships and will eventually lead to the blurring of the human social fabric that we have known as ‘community.’”

“Virtual relationships are a poor substitute for the real thing. The same can be said for virtual ethics, virtual empathy, virtual manners, all of which become the norm when real relationships cease. The key phrase in your introduction is ‘...connect instantly...’ In most other situations, warning bells go off when someone attempts to become too friendly too soon. This atavistic protection mechanism appears to fade when life is viewed through a computer.”

“Far from being a progressive development in communication, these new technologies are basically isolating people from each other. Frequent bad publicity concerning the vulnerability of young people to contact by undesirables is also an indication of the negative aspects of these technologies.”

“I am from India, and there is no such fear of losing touch with the family and friends. We are happily living with technology within family environment.” -- Surendera M. Bhanot


Many thanks to all of the CI CyberNews readers who have participated in our CyberPolls. Not a CI CyberNews subscriber? Follow this link to sign up for your free subscription!