In this blog post, we’ll examine how communication methods have changed due to advances in science and technology, and explore new directions for communication aimed at restoring meaningful human relationships.
How has the advancement of science and technology changed the way we communicate?
Science and technology are advancing at an astonishingly rapid pace. Thanks to the development of the internet, smartphones, and communication technologies, the ways we can communicate with others have become vastly more diverse, and communicating with one another has become much easier. Not only can we make real-time voice calls with people overseas without having to use expensive international calls like in the past, but we can also check in on each other while seeing each other’s faces through video calls without meeting in person.
One of the services that has grown the most alongside advancements in science and technology—particularly smartphones—is social networking services (SNS). SNS (Social Network Service) is an online service that connects people via the internet and helps form and maintain relationships with others through information sharing, networking, and self-expression. Although SNS existed even before the advent of smartphones, at that time it was mostly accessible only through computers. However, with the widespread adoption of smartphones, users can now easily access these services anytime, anywhere via mobile devices, and as a result, SNS has become an indispensable part of modern daily life.
Today, various social media platforms—such as “Facebook,” “Instagram,” “X (formerly Twitter),” and “TikTok”—are used worldwide, with user numbers reaching billions. On the other hand, studies on the effects of social media addiction and excessive use on mental health and interpersonal relationships are being published consistently. Some studies have reported that the more social media is used, the more feelings of loneliness, depression, and social comparison may increase. Of course, these relationships may vary depending on an individual’s usage patterns and purposes, but it is certainly worth considering that technology—developed to make communication more convenient—may actually end up deepening loneliness for some people. Based on these points, I will examine the extent to which social media can replace real-life relationships and consider what new forms of communication may be needed in the future.
Why do people use social media? Can online communication replace offline communication?
First, to discuss this issue, we need to examine why people use social media. In a related study, Sheldon (2008) analyzed the motivations for using Facebook from the perspective of media use and gratification theory, identifying six factors: maintaining relationships, passing time, forming new relationships, entertainment, self-expression, and alleviating loneliness. These are all reasons that are easy to relate to, and they remain largely valid explanations even today.
However, it’s important to note that these factors cannot completely replace genuine communication between people. While online communication is undoubtedly convenient, it differs fundamentally from face-to-face conversations where facial expressions, body language, and atmosphere are shared. An example illustrating this difference between communication via social media and real-life human relationships is the expression “I won’t tell you,” which was once a popular internet meme.
Looking at the conversations that were popular at the time, someone would post a message that seemed to reveal their worries to attract others’ attention, but would then refuse to explain or continue the conversation when the other person asked for details or tried to follow up. While this is a somewhat exaggerated example, it clearly illustrates one aspect of the communication style found on social media. People may want to talk about their concerns, but because social media is a public space, it is difficult to be completely honest about everything. For this reason, many people selectively present only the aspects of themselves they wish to show on social media, rather than their true selves, or they may embellish or downplay certain facts.
If communication between people drifts in the direction of managing one’s image in this way, it is difficult to view it as communication in the true sense of the word. While social media can satisfy the desire for recognition from others or alleviate momentary loneliness, it cannot fully replace human relationships based on deep empathy and trust. Of course, social media also serves positive functions, such as maintaining ongoing contact with family and friends and forming communities, but its effectiveness can vary greatly depending on how it is used.
There was once a major controversy when soccer player Ki Sung-yueng’s private Facebook post—intended only for acquaintances—in which he criticized the national soccer team’s coach at the time, was leaked to the public.
This case illustrates that even when social media is set to private, it is difficult to consider it a completely private space. Today’s social media has a much more open structure compared to the personal homepages, closed communities, and messenger-based communication methods of the past. Once information is posted on the internet, it has the potential to spread regardless of intent, and it is difficult to control completely.
Although many people are spending more time on computers or smartphones, this may actually be one of the reasons they feel lonely. Even if one wants to open up about their concerns, it is difficult to speak honestly about everything in a public online space. This is because concerns about privacy and the fear of others’ judgment often make people feel reluctant to express their true emotions and thoughts.
What is needed to restore meaningful communication?
To fundamentally solve this problem, I believe it is most important for people to break away from a lifestyle centered solely on smartphones and increase the time they spend meeting and communicating with others in person. Various studies have also reported that excessive smartphone use may have a negative impact on interpersonal relationships and social skills. Of course, it’s not so much the smartphone itself that’s the problem, but rather how and how long it’s used that are the more critical factors. As technology advances, online communication has become more convenient, but if we rely solely on that convenience, people may gradually lose the opportunity to talk face-to-face with one another. Therefore, we need to make an effort to increase the time we spend communicating in person with family, friends, and those around us, while still using smartphones appropriately.
I also believe there is a need for new forms of communication platforms that differ from current social media. If an environment is created where people can share their true feelings with close friends and family without pressure—rather than in an overly public setting—deeper communication will be possible even online. Of course, since the value of social media increases as more people use it, even if a new platform emerges, it must be accompanied by voluntary participation from users. Going forward, I look forward to the emergence of services that go beyond simply connecting large numbers of people to further strengthen trust and genuine dialogue between individuals. If that happens, we can build a society where, as science and technology advance, human-centered communication also flourishes alongside them.
