Technology and Relationships: A Benefit or a Distraction?

By J Nusbaum

Communicating with technology is now part of our daily lives. Having a conversation with someone from any where is easy.

Using technology for relationships is rapidly increasing all over the world, but is it becoming a danger? Or is technology perfect for relationships?

Cell phones are used to call or text anyone, anywhere, any time. It can be used just to have a conversation, or in case of an emergency.

Today, texting is the number one use of the cell phone and is mostly used by teens, but some people say that teens are losing the ability to talk.

William Yordy 12 states that using technology for relationships is a benefit to most people.

“It’s easy to communicate with others and just be yourself, but some people loose the ability to talk face to face. It gets pretty irritating, ”Yordy said.

Cell phones may have the ability to really communicate face to face, but can it impair your driving too?

According to a mobile-spy.com survey, 67% of teens admitted to texting while driving.

Because of this, it has become a secondary offense if someone was pulled over and was seen texting and driving, meaning he or she will be given a citation by the local police.

Cell phones aren’t the only piece of technology use for relationships though. The computer makes it easy to talk, meet new friends, or even to try to find a date at the comfort of your home.

In 2009, 20 million people use a dating site at least once a month. Online Dating Magazine stated that more than 120,000 couples are married each year who have met online.

“Computers will make contacting my family easy when I go away to college,” Yordy said

Social sites like MySpace are made to keep in touch with friends and family.

There are over 130 million users currently on MySpace according to securityfocus.com, but some people take advantage of that fact that you only have to be 13 to be able to join the site.

According to techcrunch.com, MySpace alone has over 90,000 registered sex offenders right now as members, but in 2005, MySpace paired up with Sentinel Tech Holding to build a national database of convicted sex offenders and have been kicking sex offenders off the site.

“The creation of the first-of-a-kind real-time searchable database technology is a significant step to keep our members as safe as possible,” Hemanshu Nigam, chief security officer for MySpace said.

Using technology for relationships has and will continue to advance, but is it for the good or for the bad?