As our digital worlds expand, technology is pivotal in how communication evolves both socially and in business. Technology is ever-changing, and as a result, we are offered new devices, programmes, and platforms that we can utilise for communication. Recent trends in communication continue to emerge and become the norm.
This article discusses some of the main ways technology has affected communication, for better or worse.
The main ways technology has affected communication
If we stop thinking about how communication evolved over the years, technology has played a huge role in improving communication. The most obvious ways technology has affected communication is by saving us both time and money. Today, all you need is a smartphone or device and access to the internet. We have instant online access, which allows us to communicate with others globally, 24/7. Gone are the days of waiting for the phone to ring, sending letters, or using internet cafes. Technology has made communication easier, quicker, and more efficient.
Technology has also meant we are communicating more digitally than ever before. Social media has been created in the last twenty years, and it’s now one of the best forms of communicating with loved ones and businesses with their customers. Technology and social media provide new ways to give feedback to businesses, enabling companies to adapt much quicker. The likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn take the lead in social media in terms of popularity and use. Whether we use these platforms to post, share, message or comment, every way in which we use social media platforms is a form of communication.
Despite the benefits of digital communication, some fear it hinders our ability to build relationships with others, whether in our personal life or business. Some worry faceless communication can impact us as instinctively social beings. However, if people are educated on the pitfalls and are aware, we can avoid the detrimental effects of technology and keep ourselves safe online.
Indeed, safe technologies are essential. Secure communication has become a priority when considering different technologies for digital communication. We can share photos, videos, and stories instantly for our online networks to see. Technological solutions for business communication have meant teams can collaborate more practically and efficiently.
Since the pandemic, we have seen a massive shift in how people work, creating a better work-life balance. Technology has been at the forefront of making communication adaptable for these changes. New software tools in business have helped teams manage external and internal communication.
Furthermore, machine learning and artificial intelligence are paving the way for the future of communication. It’s already having a significant impact on how we communicate, with the likes of chatbots, algorithms, automated-writing software. A lot of the automated processes allow businesses to use automation tools for aspects of communication. For example, email marketing and social media scheduling.
Another huge trend in how technology has affected communication is the widespread adoption of video communication, whether video conferencing technology in business or video chats with friends and family.
In conclusion, there are enormous ways technology has affected communication, and there is no sign of it stopping. The advancements in AI mean the possibilities of how communication is affected in the future are endless.
