Problem-Solution Essay Draft 3

The advent of the Internet and social networking sites has given rise to the condensation of time and space since geographical barriers can now be overcome. However, the unprecedented ease from using the Internet has also resulted in numerous problems among youth in Singapore. One of such problems would be the difficulty to hold a real time conversation with one another because youth rely heavily on online tools for communication.

According to Sproull and Kiesler (1985, cited in Bargh and McKenna, 2004), computed-mediated communication is an impoverished form of communication that will result in a behaviour that is more self-centered and less socially regulated. The over-reliance on the Internet as a tool of communication could eventually erode one’s ability to carry out a proper face-to-face conversation. In addition, social networking sites make it harder for youth to distinguish between the meaningful relationships they foster in the real world and the numerous casual relationships formed though social media (Jung, n.d.). As such, the imperative issue at hand would be to raise awareness about the need to form tangible interpersonal relationships though a proper real time conversation. Schools and peers will play an important role in the creation of such awareness among the Singaporean youth.

As mentioned above, social media and texting can damage one’s ability to relate to each other (Titcomb, 2012). It will also leave them ill equipped to communicate with the wider world (Barford, 2009). This is especially apparent in Singapore, where students prefer to use the online platform to ask questions instead of physically consulting their teachers when in doubt. Although this may not pose a problem to youth at that point of time, it may jeopardise their ability to integrate into a society that thrives on real time interaction in future.

Schools have always been emphasising on the importance of disconnecting from the online community. They actively encourage students to represent the school in a sport or performing art, and also organise field trips and camps for students to foster interpersonal relations with one another. Such varieties of programmes will focus on the engagement of youth, which will then serve to forge a greater interaction between youth and the society. However, the above given suggestions have long been used and applied before. Yet, students failed to acknowledge the purpose of such activities and are still spending the bulk of their time on social media. As such, it is vital for schools to conduct lessons and workshops to raise awareness about the need to disengage from the Internet and form tangible relationships with one another. Workshops are effective platforms to convey information to people. They do not only allow for knowledge improvement; they also create a space for networking, thus encouraging real time interactions. In the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) made it an imperative for all students to attend a module that will prepare them for their future. Many career and professional development workshops were also conducted for postgraduates to equip them with the necessary skills to get the job they want (Office of Student Affairs, n.d.). The creation of awareness is the most vital solution to curb the abovementioned problem. It will set the foundation for youth to understand the reasons behind different actions and thus enable them to be receptive about the need to foster interpersonal relations. Just like the modules introduced by CFG, schools can also offer compulsory workshop sessions that will emphasise on the need for face-to-face communication.

The Internet and social networking sites has become more and more accessible as wireless Internet services are easily available on mobile phones. This can make it even harder for youth to disconnect from the online community. As such, hard system approaches should be taken to propagate the importance of real time communication. In 2012 and 2013, a game known as the ‘Phone stack game’ became popular in many parts of the world. The game requires diners to stack their phones in the middle of the table, and whoever touches their device first will have to foot the bill (Tell, 2013). Such a practice will not only allow youth to momentarily disengage from the online world, but will also effectively give them the chance to conduct real time communication with their friends and forge a more substantial relationship with their peers. In addition to this, applications such as Rescue Time, Minutes Please and Facebook Limiters can serve as an intervention to limit the time spent on social networking sites (French, 2012). Thus, other than raising awareness about the need to conduct real time interaction, it is also important to carry out certain actions that will propel youth to appreciate the joy of talking to people on a face-to-face basis. This will not only improve youth’s interpersonal communication skills, but will also improve their overall well-being.

As the Internet becomes more pervasive in users’ daily lives, it is important that they identify the possible advantages and disadvantages of utilising the Internet. The paradox regarding social networking sites is that users get more disconnected while being connected. Real time interactions should not be compromised by the use of social networking sites; online communication should be built upon real, physical relations. To encourage youth to disengage from the contrived online world and to form substantial relationships with one another, soft systems and hard systems approaches should be employed simultaneously to achieve the best result. Youth must not only be aware of the potential harm of not being able to communicate on a face-to-face basis; they must also be willing to change their habits readily. Singaporean youth have to start to learn how to strike a conversation with people in the physical world. This is an essential life skill that will enable them to have an edge over people from other countries.

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References

Centre for Future-ready Graduates. (n.d.) NUS Office of Student Affairs. Retrieved from http://nus.edu.sg/osa/ncc/students/careerworkshop

Barford, V. (2009, December 8). Mind your slanguage. BBC News. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8388545.stm

Bargh, J.A., McKenna, K.Y.A. (2004). The internet and social life. Annual Review of Psychology,55, 573-590.

French, A. (2012, April 3). Programs that limit your time on social media. Sheknows. Retrieved from http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/955407/programs-that-limit-your-time-on-social-media

Jung, B. (n.d.). The negative effects of social media on society and individuals. Small Business. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/negative-effect-social-media-society-individuals-27617.html

Sproull, L., Kiesler, S. (1985). Reducing social context cues: electronic mail in organizational communication. Management Science, 11, 1492-1512.

Tell, C. (2013, September 20). Step away from the phone! The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/22/fashion/step-away-from-the-phone.html?_r=0  

Titcomb, J. (2012, May 3). Texting, tweeting and social networking are behind ‘rough behaviour’ of teens, says Pratchett. Daily Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2138791/Texting-tweeting-social-networking-damaging-childrens-ability-communicate-says-Pratchett.html