Social networks have killed our family life

Social networks have killed our family life

By: Nokuphila N

Social networks have become a nightmare in families, destroying the family values and family time. Social networks are known to be platforms to build social relations among people who share activities, personal interests, backgrounds and real life connections. All these activities are shared on social networks leaving our homes empty because all the time is spent chatting on line, facebook, whatsapp, mxit, twitter and many more.

Time spent on social networks leave no time for a normal conversation with someone you are sitting with, this has happened to me many times when with people they just take out their phones and chat like it’s a normal act to perform.

An interpersonal conversation has lost the meaning, ever since social networking communication is growing very high. More people are using social media services than ever before. For example facebook is the fastest growing social media with more than 6, 1 million South Africans subscribing. It is registering more than 1million new members in 1 month.

Facebook is a perfect demonstration of how social media have managed to transcend age boundaries. In the past years elders believed that facebook is for teenagers but recent research shows that between August 2011 and August 2012 the elders usage has grown to 44% for people over the age of 60 years. This is the age in the olden days where grandparents will sit down with grand children and share stories that build the children up and teach them more about their cultural values, customs and knowledge about their identity. In our days we have lost so much identity because less time is spent with family.

I always recall the sadness and misery we feel when there is power shading, you will hear massages like” ouch I didn’t charge my devices” this compliments that social networks have become part of our daily lives, not only with good results but with bad ones also that destroys us and our future.

Long time ago people met in different places like taxis, playgrounds and many more, but now people do not care much about the real people in the real world, they only talk with their devices they get so glued in them that they will not notice if something were to pass in front.

Social networks are good and crucial in work places, as they contribute so much in communication and productivity to widen business contacts. It is more effective because it’s free and it doesn’t have security and control. Children do not play games outside anymore but they sit indoors on social networks that expose them into all dirty things due to no security and age restriction.

Social networks will continue to grow because more people are joining the movement. Technology advancement is contributing to this growth helping everyone with all the technical tools to keep up. What is important is that we use the social media the right way not to sabotage our quality time with our beautiful families because we need each other to survive.