Is social media ruining the age old tradition of friendship?

Imagine this; you go to your university to meet your friends after a long week (and to study, of course) and you find them sitting at the cafeteria. When you go to say ‘Hi’ to them, you find out that they’re engrossed at their smartphones using Facebook and Whatsapp. What are you supposed to do, talk to the smartphone-crazy zombie that is your friend? This is a regular dilemma faced by Eric Mark, a media student at Manipal University. But there are other people who faced the same situation also.

This is a serious issue which is happening all around the world. Friendships before meant hanging out with people, joking with them and have a meaningful relationship with them. But because of social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter, it’s harder to talk to a person in real-life than in social media platforms. John Surya, a BBA student says, “When I talk to the same person I’ve talked to through Whatsapp in real-life, it’s really awkward.”

Facebook 

People have become harder to approach too, because of the rise of social media platforms. Talking to a stranger have become more awkward because in a matter of a few taps and swipes, all your information and photos can be known and is especially hard for the quiet introverts who already find it hard to start a conversation.

Even the professors find it annoying. According to a professor in the engineering department, most of the students check their smartphones every five seconds, irrespective of whether they’re in class or not. “You can’t make them give away their phones, maximum you can do is to limit their usage”, says the professor.

People in a group

But even that simple solution would take a long way from working out. One may argue that usage of smartphone has its benefits too, but tell that to people who talk to their friends whose face hides behind a sleek five-inch screen.