The Impact of Online Social Networking (Social Media) on Interpersonal Communication and Relationships

Abstract

Social networking has been widely used to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues, customers, or clients. Interpersonal communication, on the other hand, is an exchange of information between two or more people, in the use of verbal or nonverbal messages to accomplish personal and relational goals. These two elements have brought to the use of social media which have constantly been attracting attention on its pros and cons, effects and impacts on all aspects of humans. This research is to identify the uses and usage of online social networking, to determine the impact of online social networking on interpersonal communication and to study the correlation ship between online social networking, interpersonal communication and relationships. Uses and Gratification Theory is referred in this research based on its fundamental assumptions that communication behavior is goal-directed. People are active in choosing media that fulfill their needs. People know their motives and gratifications in the use of media. Media is focused for paying attention, choosing and using between the tools of communication. Lastly, people are affected by several social and psychological factors while choosing communication alternatives. Online survey Google Form is circulated within a month among friends and families in a snowballing manner. It is to target at respondents aged between 18 to 60 years old. This research has concluded that people using social media for different purposes. The use of social media may have reduced interpersonal communication among spouses or partners but it has strengthened the bond between the spouses or partners. Though there are pros and cons of using social media for the purposes of interpersonal communication and relationships, whether these advanced devices or technologies bring people together or further apart, it depends on which decade they were born in.