Does technology destroy the value of relationships?

23 September 2009

By Anna Noren

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Recently, the Archbishop of Westminster told the Sunday Telegraph that excessive use of texting and emails mean that people are losing ‘the ability to build interpersonal communication’ and that collapsing friendships on social networking sites can put them at risk for suicide.

While the Archbishop is right to address issues such as loneliness and suicide, I wonder if the Archbishop has spent much time interacting the technology he is attacking.  A quick search on Facebook reveals a number of groups started by young Catholics who can come together to discuss religion.  While a congregation can bring together people from a particular neighbourhood for one Sunday morning, these user-created groups can bring together young people regardless of geography or time zone – something I’m sure the Archbishop would be pleased to see.

Technology is also changing the ways people can worship.  There are a number of ‘online churches’ where people can blog about their personal reflections, debate moral conundrums on forums and even watch streaming sermons live on webcam.  Conversations on morality now do not have to be confined within the walls of a church, synagogue or mosque; they can be discussed at any time through a number of channels.  While the Archbishop may prefer the more traditional human interactions, it’s hard to argue against those seeking spiritual guidance on ways that they feel most comfortable.

I don’t think technology destroys relationships as the Archbishop implied but merely that technology changes the way we conduct our relationships.  Social networking is an exciting and ever-changing field – I hope the Archbishop may even join to help shape its future to enrich the lives of young people everywhere.



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