Yes

by Andrew Carmichael

A big deal with the modernization of social media is how we communicate with one another. While some people do bring up that it is taking away from social interaction of youth and our day to day communication, and they do have a good point, but using social media as a form of social interaction is a good substitute.

Social media allows people to form new interests with others online. People have formed groups online over different interests and will regularly communicate with each other to share their thoughts on something relating to the media. It has made interacting more accessible and to share interests with people who would not regularly do so because of their limited interest in having a social life. It also allows them to pick up new interests and fan terminology from others online. Online interaction also does not just apply to only one area, as it can be across towns, cities, states or even the world. There are also social media websites that allow responses to be made for things you make that would not normally get attention. You can also easily find your friends posts and make responses—it goes both ways.

An example of back-and-forth communication over the internet is online gaming because it allows a group of friends to interact across the world where they would normally be unable to do so. Most games will allow voice chat and even the games without this feature can use apps like Discord, which is a communication app that allows external voice chat and messaging. With normal social interaction, the games would be rather limited and not enjoyed as frequently.

Whether social media is a good replacement for social interaction depends on how you use it. It can be used as a good replacement in most scenarios as sometimes a busy schedule means you cannot do a meet up with friends but can talk over social media and be engaging in their life even from afar.

No

by Josh Wilson

Social media has become a crucial part of our everyday lives. It offers a convenient way to connect with others worldwide. While social media has some benefits relating to vast communication, it will never replace in-person interactions.

Face-to-face communication offers a unique level of connection that cannot be replicated through text messages or Zoom calls. The ability to pick up on facial cues, tone of voice and body language is a crucial aspect of sincere conversation that social media conversations often lack. This depth of emotion is essential for productive conversations.

In-person interaction reduces misunderstanding. In-person conversation has instant feedback, unlike a missed call or an unread text message. People can get distracted by scrolling on social media, hence forgetting to respond. Also, messages can get lost in the pile of unread messages someone receives. Direct, in-person conversation allows the topic to be repeated or clarified if needed. It is easier to understand if someone is being truthful in the discussion based on interpreting their body language and on-the-spot response time.

Physical contact is also a vital component in face-to-face interactions. For example, a handshake or hug is a greeting to establish trust. In-person interactions also allow people to demonstrate their points through actions. For instance, if a person is learning to play golf, the instructor can help them swing the golf club. Most people understand concepts better when they have hands-on, personal demonstrations.

In-person interactions not only provide a unique level of connection but also foster memorable experiences. Imagine celebrating a birthday in an Instagram group chat or having a wedding on a Zoom call. It would be challenging to stay engaged or enjoy the event. While social media may be convenient for texting, it is clear that in-person interactions are the superior form of communication.

In conclusion, in-person interactions allow for emotional connection through tone, facial expressions, body language and physical contact, all elements that social media interaction cannot provide, making in-person interactions more beneficial than social media interactions.