Instant Messaging as a Way to Overcome Shyness Barrier

Ding ding! Suddenly you get that dopamine rush to your system from the notification you just received. As I write this, the urge to look over my phone again and waste my time on something useless like instant messaging is strong. But rather, is it such an improvident use of technology? Some may argue it is true that messaging through virtual channels can prevent us from developing interpersonal skills. However, the ability to interconnect with the world at any time, with the shyness barrier lifted from the obstacle, and future connections possibly made due to these channels, at least to me, shows greater benefit than the adverse effects.

Indeed, technology has given efficiency in many ways in our lifestyle. Without a doubt, e-communication's tools of being able to contact anyone, anywhere, at any time is definitely productive in the world of communications. Imagine using one of the many online meeting platforms that utilize the internet, where a firm can host a meeting with one or more persons outside of the room. This method can save so much money in sponsored travel costs. Now, you need a favor urgently. With instant messaging, your friend can now go that extra favor saving you your time and failure. Amazingly, this technology allows location and time to no longer or less of a barrier.  

Speaking of barriers, the first move or initiating a conversation is certainly the biggest obstacle one can face in communication. If one thinks about it, the lack of eye contact and illustration of body language isn't present when private messaging, an atmosphere where there's less tension and psychological consequences if things were to go wrong. Say you were to try to make the first move on a person of interest. Would you rather get rejected in person or over text? Most people would say over text just because they don't have to deal with the physical expressions that come with face-to-face conversations. When this barrier is knocked down, it allows for advancement in the communication process. 

Interestingly, there are people that deny the benefits of instant messaging, stating that it stunts someone's social skills. In contrast, it helps to a point. Previously mentioned were the obstacles that e-messaging tackles and eliminates, which opens doors for more alike people to communicate. These people that now seem to talk over and over again using social networks eventually will decide to meet up. These little meetups would ultimately build confidence which would also increase these face-to-face social skills, which proves how that argument is invalid. 

To sum up, an experience that I constantly have is talking with my family and cousins overseas. Without the power of the internet, my family would've never let me stay far. Overall, instant messaging is such a great aid to us, where the barriers of location, time, and nervous first approach are brought down. Eventually, great personal connections would increase, resulting in a greater socially round character.

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