How does technology hinder interpersonal communication?

In today's digital era, technology is pivotal in connecting people worldwide as it offers convenience and accessibility. However, this digital connection often comes at the expense of real human interaction. As individuals become more dependent on screens, face-to-face communication skills decline. Many argue that technology enhances our ability to stay in touch, especially over long distances with apps like FaceTime and Snapchat; however, it also fosters emotional detachment. To fully understand this debate, one must examine how human relationships evolve when screen and technology usage increase, emojis instead of actual faces to represent emotional expression, and group chats replace in-person conversations. Many worry that this growing reliance on technology weakens our ability to form meaningful relationships. Despite its advantages, technology has significantly hindered interpersonal communication by disrupting emotional bonds, weakening social skills, and replacing authentic connections with superficial interactions. Therefore, this paper will explore, from a statistical and analytical perspective, how technology hinders interpersonal communication by reducing emotional connection, increasing social isolation, and diminishing nonverbal communication through body and facial language.

First, technology weakens emotional connections between individuals. When people over-rely on text-based communication, such as messaging apps and emails, it hinders emotional connection. A study by Catherine Teresa Apgar found that individuals who primarily communicate via text are more likely to misinterpret emotional tone. The study hypothesis was to determine if individuals could distinguish different tones between texts. The study concluded that "Happy texts were interpreted more accurately than Sad texts only by Older Recipients when Older Senders sent the texts; however, differences emerged for a comparison between Happy and Angry texts between Younger Recipients and Younger Senders" (Apgar). Therefore, through text messages, individuals lack facial and body recognition, causing misinterpretations and hindering communication. Moreover, facial expressions, tone of voice, and physical presence are missing, which causes misinterpretations of confusing tones, mixed feelings, and unresolved conflicts. Oxytocin is a hormone released during interactions between individuals that represent trust and empathy; however, this hormone is not released during digital interactions. Specifically, "Oxytocin plays an important role in facilitating network-wide cooperation in human societies by 1) increasing individual cooperation, mitigating noncooperation motives, and facilitating the enforcement of cooperative norms; 2) fostering interpersonal bonding and synchronization; and 3) facilitating the formation of heterogeneous network structures" (Han). Therefore, without oxytocin, proper interpretation of meaning can not be achieved, and due to textual communication not releasing this hormone, there are misinterpretations of text that hinder communication. Moreover, we need physical presence to release oxytocin and form deep emotional bonds, so the lack of oxytocin in technology leads to weaker relationships over time. Next, digital platforms prioritize speed and convenience over depth and quality of conversation. A research study by Sherpa used a survey to determine the time employers spend reading emails of potential new hires, and it was determined that "15-20 seconds was the average" (Sherpa). Therefore, technology doesn't allow interpersonal relationships to form, as employers cannot accurately represent the potential new hire. This idea illustrates the reason for in-person interviews, as technology creates a fake persona that prioritizes speed and convenience over an individual's quality and in-depth representation. Moreover, technology represents our current-day culture where we sacrifice emotional connections with meaningful conversations to have instant responses, continuing to prove that technology is hindering interpersonal communication. Additionally, in 1999, with the number probably increasing, a research study sought to determine if increasing the use of technology and distractions from technology decreases social interactions, and they concluded that "The average Internet user reports engaging in 7.2 different types of activities" (Nie). Therefore, technology causes distraction, so during text messages, FaceTime, or in-person interactions, individuals are distracted by technology. Additionally, technology provides convenience and speed, which causes distractions within conversations and enforces low-quality and emotional discussions. Therefore, technology is hindering interpersonal communication. Moreover, divided attention from distractions with technology results in shallow engagement and makes it hard to interpret emotions.

Second, technology causes social isolation. When individuals excessively use smartphones and social media, it creates an illusion of connection while deepening feelings of loneliness. Based on a New York Times article, they sought to see how technology created a recipe for loneliness. There was a clear census among the scholars: "While there was little proof that tech directly made people lonely (plenty of socially connected, healthy people use lots of tech), there was a strong correlation between the two, meaning that those who reported feeling lonely might be using tech in unhealthy ways" (Chen). Therefore, technology has a strong and direct relationship with isolation, so as individuals increase their technology usage, they feel more isolated, which hinders their overall communication with other individuals. Moreover, digital communication is low-quality and doesn't fit communication needs. As a result, individuals are more isolated and have worse interpersonal relationships. Additionally, Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at the University of San Diego, reports, "Teens are spending a lot more time communicating with each other electronically and a lot less time hanging out with each other face to face" (Twenge). Therefore, as technology usage increases, especially in the younger generations, they don't engage with their peers as much; instead, individuals isolate themselves. Overall, the younger generation has fewer close friendships due to a focus on technology, which is hindering their communication. Moreover, overdependence on technology correlates with loss of strong bonds, continuing to show that individuals substitute casual digital interactions for deeper connections. Next, technology-driven lifestyles reduce opportunities for spontaneous social engagement. Grose, an author for the New York Times, argues, "While technology may help children learn, simply increasing access to computers or tablets may not significantly impact educational outcomes" (Grose). Even though this stance is thoroughly opinionated, individuals may sacrifice their child's education and social bonds that form true in-person interactions. Therefore, school is more than education; it is a place to form emotional bonds, and by prioritizing online school, individuals lose these emotional bonds, which is a form of hindering interpersonal communication. Moreover, bonds commonly form from random, impersonal interactions, but a lack of these interactions contributes to weakened social skills and communication. Additionally, children are engaging more with technology in this era, and these "early and sustained interaction with digital devices significantly influences neural plasticity—the brain's capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life" (Suárez). Therefore, as children interact with technology more, there are problems in forming meaningful neural connections as the brain's plasticity is influenced. The brain's plasticity dictates an individual's ability to change and adapt. This idea shows that altering a child's connection with their brain also changes their ability to adapt in life, which causes problems with interpersonal communication. Moreover, early exposure to screen-based interaction affects long-term communication ability as children develop socially from active engagement. 

Third, technology reduces the use and understanding of nonverbal communication. When individuals lack nonverbal cues such as eye contact, gestures, and tone, they lack essential knowledge of intent and emotion. In a research study with the University of Permian Basin, Texas, Albert Mehrabian, a body language researcher, finds that "communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only" (Mehrabian). Therefore, interpersonal communication relies more on nonverbal cues such as tone and body language than words, and with technology, these important cues to form meaningful relationships are not present. As individuals increase technology usage, relationships decrease, directly relating to decreased interpersonal communication. Moreover, nonverbal communication is lacking in digital communication, causing miscommunications, misinterpretations, and emotional comprehension errors. Additionally, another research study reports that, "If a delay is perceived during videoconferencing (even if this perception occurs subconsciously in the range of milliseconds), the human brain works harder and thereby attempts to overcome the issue of asynchronicity, which is accompanied by increased cognitive effort to restore synchrony. Moreover, this effect is likely accompanied by enhanced frustration and stress" (Riedl). Therefore, technology has delays that unconsistently signal the brain's emotions of frustration and stress due to asynchronicity and cognitive desire for synchrony. As technological communication increases and real-life interactions decrease, individuals become more frustrated and stressed, which hinders overall interpersonal communication. Moreover, even slight delays cause emotional disconnection, causing misinterpretations of emotional states. Next, Digital communication tools are not equipped to replicate human expression fully. In her previous study about emojis expressing emotion by Apgar and the University of Pittsburgh, she argued that emojis are unable to express the nuanced emotions of complex emotions, such as empathy or passion, because "Emojis have limited range of expressions … oversimplification of emotions … lack of context … potential for insincerity" (Apgar). Therefore, technology can not express the true complexity of an individual's emotions because it is limited in emotional expression. As individuals increase technology usage, they cannot express their genuine emotions, a nexus between individuals is not allowed to form, and interpersonal communication is hindered. Moreover, the overuse of emojis creates less authentic conversations, which could also decrease emotional literacy, continuing to hinder communication. Additionally, during the Covid-19 era, when students were isolated for health purposes, and technology was used for education, group projects increased; however, students reported that, "Group work experiences were rated less favorably in terms of efficiency, satisfaction, motivation, and workload demands during the pandemic versus before" (Vogel). Therefore, the COVID-19 era has shown individuals that group project work through technology is less favorable than in-person interaction. As technology continues to be incorporated into education, individuals disprove quality group work and promote isolation, hindering interpersonal communication and student relationships. Moreover, increased technology group work promotes misinterpretations, undermining cooperation and mutual understanding.

The general argument made by individuals is that technology increases communication through different apps. Technology also allows for "Freedom of online life … widening social circles" (Mitchell). Therefore, as technology continues to be incorporated into daily life, individuals can communicate more freely on a broader scale. Moreover, technological communication is constructive for individuals unable to speak in person; however, technology can not replace in-person communication. Even though this argument could be valid, research dominantly shows that having emotional nexuses and relationships enhances interpersonal communication more than increased communication. Therefore, individuals should strive for richer, in-person interactions instead of dependence on technology to form deep relationships that will not hinder interpersonal communication, so the argument that technology allows more accessible communication has nearly no validity compared to communication. Moreover, overreliance on technology leads to surface-level interaction that lacks emotional depth, so in-person communication with long-distance friends and family should be prioritized. 

It can be concluded through a statistical and analytical approach that technology may offer convenience and accessibility; however, it comes at a cost to authentic human interaction. Emotional disconnection, social isolation, and the deterioration of nonverbal communication skills are growing concerns in today's technology-dominated world. While digital platforms serve a purpose, they can not replace honest, meaningful conversations that build relationships and foster personal positives. As society increasingly relies on technology, it is essential to create a balance by using technology to enhance, not hinder, our human connections and communication to keep our communities, relationships, and emotional well-being healthy.

Works Cited

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Apgar, Catherine Teresa. Examining the (Mis)Perception of Emotional Valence in Text Messaging Across Generations. University of Pittsburgh, 2022, https://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/42692/.

Chen, Brian. How Tech Created a ‘Recipe for Loneliness.’ The New York Times, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/10/technology/personaltech/technology-loneliness.html#:~:text=The%20consensus%20among%20scholars%20was,using%20tech%20in%20unhealthy%20ways. 

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Han, Xiaochun. Oxytocin in Human Social Network Cooperation. National Library of Medicine, 2024, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39611271/.

How Much of Communication Is Nonverbal? The University of Texas Permian Basin, https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/communication/how-much-of-communication-is-nonverbal/. 

Mitchell, William J. "The Internet Promotes Social Interaction." The Information Revolution, edited by Laura K. Egendorf, Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010147238/OVIC?u=pl2095&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=08185449. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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Visé, Daniel De. Teens are spending less time than ever with friends: The Hill, 2023, https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4037619-teens-are-spending-less-time-than-ever-with-friends/.

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