Positive Impact Of Social Networking On Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal speech: How many of you have a Facebook? Did you know that since Mark Zukerberg created it in 2004, over 500 million people across the world use Facebook? In fact, 117,144 of those 500 million people are from the United States alone. Communication has changed so much over the past even 20 or 30 or so years. Nowadays we use more electronic communication like texting, Skype, and social networking sites like Facebook. But one thing hasn’t changed over the past 20 or 30 years like communication. The way you communicate affects how people think of you.

So in order for others to respect and view you in a positive way, you must be successful in interpersonal communication. Personally, three ways that have helped me become a better interpersonal communicator are using electronic communication, discovering strategies for managing conflict, and learning to understand groups better. One of the biggest trends in communicating interpersonally today is by electronics. One of these trends is a social network called Facebook. Like I said, Facebook has become a past time and means of communication for over 500 million people around the world.

In other words, 1/12th of the world’s population uses Facebook on a day-to-day basis. That’s a lot of people! But, why do so many people decide to use it? Well, one reason may be the fact that it’s a good channel of communication. Most people have computers these days, not to mention the internet, so it is easy access for most of the population. It’s also a quick and easy form of interpersonal communication because all it takes to find out what’s going on in people’s lives, what they’re thinking, how their day is going, and so on is a log on to the website.

That may sound creepy, but all someone has to do for someone else not to be able to see all their information is a click to block them. Facebook allows interpersonal communication between people across the world, so when families want to see updated pictures of each other, news about a new grandchild or marriage proposal, or find out the next time they will see each other for Christmas, all it takes is a click away. I have a friend whose husband is a soldier in Afghanistan and right now, one of the only ways they can communicate quick and easily is by Facebook.

They are able to chat almost instantly like a telephone call, only through a computer. Along with electronic communication, I have gained a better knowledge in interpersonal relationships by having learned strategies for managing conflict. We all know conflict is inevitable. But there are ways we can adapt to and turn conflict around so we can resolve it. Personally, I like to manage conflict by building a compromise between myself and the person my conflict is involved with. Webster defines in the dictionary a compromise a “settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions”.

In other words, in order for the conflict to be resolved, both sides must give a little to take a little. I meet with the other person half way in order for both of us to get a little of what we want. Compromises allow both sides to get a little back of something they want, and even though this skill has helped my interpersonal communication, it may or may not be the best decision for others in order to resolve conflict completely. Others may choose to resolve conflict by accommodating. In this way, they give up their own desires for the desires of the other people involved.

They choose to give up what they want so the other people can get what they want out of the deal. This may seem like a good idea for the opposite side, but in reality, it never really resolves the conflict. It only pauses it, if you will. The worst case scenario would be to avoid conflict at all costs. Avoiding conflict never resolves it. Resolving conflict involves talents like the interpersonal skills needed that help us better understand groups. Ever since I was little, I have enjoyed doing projects and working with classmates in groups.

Unless the students in my group decided they wanted to cheat, or use me in order to get a good grade. Then, the group working did not turn out so good. But for the most part, it has helped my interpersonal skills with other people. Working in and understanding groups builds interpersonal communication skills because the members learn to appreciate each others’ opinions and work together in order to reach the group’s goals. In group work, members get the chance to get to know their partners’ behaviors and skills better in the areas that they work, which hopefully leads to successfully achieving the purposes for the group.

Members learn how the others think and in turn organize ideas to reach the objectives. Sometimes working in groups even matures the relationships into deeper friendships, which is a win-win situation for both parties. According to Lisa K, In order to have an effective group, members need to have respect for each other, should do an equal amount of work, have a common purpose, and be open to compromise. In conclusion, interpersonal skills help people by increasing their ability to make connections among others.

By using electronic communication via social networking, learning strategies for managing conflict, and understanding groups, I have gained a few skills needed in order to communicate better interpersonally. My relationships with my friends and family have improved and the abilities I have stated have affected my behaviors and skills in my interpersonal communication with them. Interpersonal skills are very helpful when seeking information from other people. They benefit both parties and are a good means of becoming a more stable and organized person.