Modern Communication Technology Benefits in the Digital Era

Introduction: Defending Modern Communication Technology

Critics of modern communication technology—including social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook—argue that these tools invariably bring pain and problems to people's lives. However, this one-sided and ultimately shallow view ignores the many benefits that text messaging, smartphones, social media, the Internet, and other communication tools of the Digital Era provide to individuals, businesses, organizations, governments, and law enforcement around the world. This paper argues that modern communication technology has changed the world for the better by: (1) connecting more human beings than ever before, (2) allowing information to flow and be shared more easily than ever before, and (3) allowing people to overcome time and space barriers so that they can work together and assist one another with ideas, guidance, directions, and help with medical issues, finances, education, and more.

Several high-profile individuals have lost jobs due to social media misuse: Roseanne Barr lost her comedy show after attacking another person via Twitter, and Philadelphia 76ers General Manager Bryan Colangelo lost his position after allegedly operating several anonymous accounts on Twitter to criticize his team's players. However, the fact that some people mismanage modern communication technology does not mean the technology itself is bad or that its cumulative effects are harmful. People abuse drugs too, yet many more people benefit from them and use them responsibly to manage pain and health. The same logic applies to digital communication tools.

Social Media Benefits for Businesses and Public Figures

Modern communication technology may pose hazards for those with no self-control, but for the vast majority of the population, smartphones, text messaging, social media, Skype, FaceTime, direct messaging, virtual workplace calls, and many other tools offer genuinely life-changing ways to connect and share information. Consider the tourism industry: people are going online, sharing pictures and stories on Facebook and Instagram, and offering tips on where to go, where to stay, what to see, and what to do—reaching followers all around the world. Tourism businesses such as hotels and restaurants in travel-heavy regions are responding in significant ways (Fotis, Buhalis & Rossides, 2011). They use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to connect with tourists and direct business their way.

In effect, social media has been a groundbreaking communications tool for many industries—not just tourism—because it allows companies to directly communicate with consumers. Everyone from celebrities to heads of state now uses social media to broadcast a message, engage audiences they could never otherwise reach directly, and share ideas. The positive connections made through social media help businesses increase brand visibility, boost sales, develop their image, and keep consumers informed about new developments (Edosomwan, Prakasan, Kouame, Watson & Seymour, 2011). These connections demonstrate that modern communications technology is changing the world for the better—at least for businesses.

Text Messaging and Everyday Communication

What about everyday users? Some argue that people are wasting their time on social media sites, the Internet, texting, and similar platforms. However, text messaging alone illustrates why modern communication tools represent a genuine innovation. Formerly, people relied on landlines to reach someone, risking a missed connection or interrupting a busy person mid-task. Text messaging allows a brief message to arrive without disrupting someone's day, and if the recipient is momentarily away from the phone, the message waits until they return. Information is easier to share than ever before, and people all over the world are taking advantage of it—as the widespread adoption of mobile phones and unlimited data plans demonstrates. Texting has even become the preferred mode of communication for many people today (Reid & Reid, 2005).

Conclusion: A World Changed for the Better

Modern communications technology has truly changed the world for the better. People no longer have to wait endlessly for news or stay attached to landlines while waiting for a call. They no longer have to scour a library for information or waste time and fuel traveling from place to place to network in person. They no longer feel cut off from the rest of humanity, nor do they have to decline a job opportunity simply because they cannot relocate: so many positions can now be performed remotely that geography is no longer a barrier to employment.

While it is true that for some individuals who lack propriety or self-control, modern communications technology can cause trouble and even ruin their lives, for the vast majority of people and for much of the world, it has been a force for improvement. People are more connected than ever before, ideas spread more freely, information is shared quickly, and businesses are able to reach consumers and drive sales simply by leveraging the numerous platforms that modern communications technology provides. The evidence is clear: the benefits far outweigh the costs.

References

Edosomwan, S., Prakasan, S. K., Kouame, D., Watson, J., & Seymour, T. (2011). The history of social media and its impact on business. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 16(3), 79–91.

Fotis, J., Buhalis, D., & Rossides, N. (2011). Social media impact on holiday travel planning: The case of the Russian and the FSU markets. International Journal of Online Marketing (IJOM), 1(4), 1–19.

Reid, D. J., & Reid, F. J. (2005). Textmates and text circles: Insights into the social ecology of SMS text messaging. In Mobile world (pp. 105–118). Springer, London.