As technology continues to progress into the modern age, more and more people are beginning to rely solely on their electronic devices to keep them connected with one another. There is much debate over whether or not this is a positive trend. Some people assert that the sentimentality and true emotion behind a written letter or a person-to-person conversation are lost when all messages are transmitted electronically; others maintain that technology allows you to express all of the same messages and emotions as you would through more traditional means, just in a faster and more efficient manner. So is online communication a boon or a drawback to our society?

Arguments both for and against online communication have some valid points, and most experts determine that the answer to this query lies somewhere in the middle road. Generally, there are considered to be both appropriate and inappropriate times to utilize online communication. Informal communication, such as quick notes between friends or a brief reminder sent to colleagues can be accomplished through online technology with ease. On the other hand, it is recommended that more formal messages such as invitations to special events or professional business notifications be sent through physical mail. 

That said, there has been a clear and obvious trend towards more online communication in recent years. The internet is becoming more and more ingrained into our everyday lives. For example, many people are receiving their college degrees through online programs. An online school is considered to be a very convenient and efficient way to achieve your degree; an online school allows you to complete your education at your own pace, to work only when it best benefits you, to hold a separate job as you pursue your degree, and much more. In addition, many people are choosing to complete all of their shopping needs through online retailers. Literally anything can be purchased over the internet. Even fresh groceries can be ordered through a nearby store’s website to be subsequently delivered to your door. 

It is only natural that an increased frequency of online communication should follow. The typical person spends many hours a day at his or her computer, and instant messaging, email, video chat, and other such forums allow you to communicate quickly and with ease. There is nothing wrong with this. It would be ridiculous to choose not to take advantage of all of the benefits that technology has to offer, and online communication is able to open up many opportunities to the modern world.

So long as people stay in touch with their cultural values, they should not hesitate to move towards online communication as a way of life. There are certain situations where online communication is simply not appropriate, and for these times, a written letter or a personal meeting should be utilized in order to transfer a message. However, for most other times, online communication is both a convenient and advantageous way to speak with the people around you. Online communication is simply a manifestation of technology’s many boons.