As modernization evolve, so too is technology. Persons are finding faster, and easier methods communicating with friends and loved ones. There are many forms of communication, however, I will be comparing face-to-face and social media interactions. Face-to-face interactions is becoming less prevalent today. Social media terrace such as, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, has taken over causing face-to-face interactions to lose its symbolic. Social media is widely spread. It is now the primary form of communicating for most persons. Daily persons are finding more cool ways to make communicating fun through the media tools.
Both face-to-face and Social media interactions has their extremity and confines that makes them different. However, once compared one will notice that they share equal creative ways. The two forms of interactions are used on a daily base, but one is simply preferred better over the other. One comparison is that face-to-face and social media interaction uses expression to convey messages. When someone is texting, one can send Internet expression’ and when talking Self-expression’ is used.
Another similarity is both interactions is time consuming. One instance, it took me 3 weeks from calling my aunty, when I finally did, we spend over an hour catching up. People also meet new people face-to-face. Another comparison is bullying. This is prevalent in both interactions. Persons are bullied and harassed face-to-face and so too over social media. Face-to-face interactions and social media consist of boundaries and limits. Persons are exploited in many forms. There `are limits to what a person can tolerate and take. Constant harassment, for example, verbal harassment and non-verbal harassment, be it on both platforms. Sternberg (2012), defines face to face interaction, as the mutual influence of everyone direct physical presence with his/her body language. There are many contrasting reasons which distinguish face-to-face interactions from social media. Communicating face-to-face allows that person to convey emotions that cannot be expressed via social media interaction. Persons talk also with body language. There are instances when communication through telephone, or media tools cannot reflect the nature of that person speaking and its possible one will not be able to see through these people’s feelings. Eye contact is the key. Law enforcers trying to solve a criminal matter, then, face-to-face interaction is most helpful in determining whether the suspect is lying or telling the truth. My example is this; My mommy lives in Trinidad, we speak most of the time on phone and video chat on Facebook, but the dialogue is different from seeing her in person. From the time, she lands on the airport and she is in-sight, it’s hugs, kisses, laughter and we will chat and chat till we reach our destination. In a twinkle of an eye, persons can speak globally through social media. These days, calling overseas is so expensive. It’s usually stressful for persons who cannot afford to pay for long distance calls, so to keep in touch with loved ones is a constant struggle. Social media is like one-two-three. Websites such as, Facebook can be easier and less time consuming. A person using WhatsApp, can stay hours on their phones talking and can video chat to see each other face-to-face. Social media keeps everyone up to date about things happening with everywhere. Using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter persons can exchange one another photos, videos, post comments and even view one another personal information. Persons stay connected to each other daily. Secondly, face-to-face interaction is important for persons who have businesses and needs to discuss serious matters such as meetings, project etc. When there is an important issue that requires a decision, having meeting face-to-face will help reach a consensus more quickly, there’s more energy and opportunities to participate and creatively make contributions. However, with social media, it makes communicating easier. Buisness and companies have a choice when it comes to hosting their meeting. Before managers had a choice to sit at the office to have a meeting. The touch of one button for example whats app, the company can set up a group chat in which all business matters can be related and discussed collectively without having to meet face to face. Also, skype calls for a business meeting can be used via video in the office itself without having to drive or go out. Social media also helps save money and prevents tedious travel. Imagine having to travel every year to visit your loved ones.Third, face to face interaction tends to introduce socialization. Someone you haven’t seen in a while, when you do see, conversations are usually very long. The use of social media interactions, texting will get boring quickly. Persons tends to run out of a conversation at times. Also, timely responses also come to play. Online a person might also take long to respond to each other messages as contrast to face-to-face, responses can be faster. According to Cohen and Wills 1985, Having face to face interaction with neighbors, friends, and families have found to improve people’s level of social support, fulfillment of their own relationships, making sense of life, self-esteem, commitment to communities and psychological and physical well-being.Sarcastically, a world without no phones and media technology present, people might have no other choice but speak to one another just like back in the days. Social media acts as a secondary base for persons to speak directly to each other. Face-to-face is considered the primary base; or so it seems. The rules that dictate social media have great distinction from those of face-to-face interactions. Social media and face- to-face interaction, both vary by the use of interactions, and emotions. Social media is highly favored by most people because of the less timing consumption, making new friends, saving money and somehow improves relationships. With face to face interactions, it is easier to grow strong relationships with better bonds, easier to convey emotions and expressions and straight up responses. Both form of interactions consists of communications which we as individuals rely on heavily to carry out our daily lives and activities.