Technology such as computers, cell phones, tablets, television, video games, and self-serve services can influence social isolation by replacing face-to-face interactions. However, technologies may also reduce isolation by allowing people to connect over long distances and through social media. While excessive use of technologies can lead to neglecting human interaction, controlled use does not necessarily have to be negative and may enhance community involvement.

1. Technology Creates Social
Isolation and Neurosis
By: Cody Woodhouse

2. Introduction
Definitions
Types of technologies
How these technologies effect social isolation
Pro’s and con’s
Is it really that bad?
Conclusion

3. Definitions
Isolate- Neurosis-
to set or place apart; de a relatively mild personalit
tach or separate so as y disorder typified by exce
to be alone. ssive anxiety or indecision
and a degree of social
or interpersonal maladjust
ment.

4. Technologies that influence social
isolation
Computers
Cell phones
iPhone Siri
Tablets
Television
Video games
Self serving services

5. Computers
 Many people will  Attending to a
often spend mass computer in order
amounts of time to update your
on the computer facebook page or to
doing tasks that tweet becomes a
serve no purpose priority to some
People have started to believe that conversing with
others via computers is an acceptable substitute for
face-to-face interaction

6. Cell Phones
 People are constantly  We often text people
texting others to talk when we have bad
instead of actually news rather than
calling them telling them in person
 Smartphones are a  Kids are obtaining cell
portable substitute phones at such a young
method to check age and are using them
facebook or twitter every day

7. Tablets and Siri
Tablets Siri
 Tablets such as the iPad  iPhone’s ‘Siri’ allows for
influence social isolation by voice communication, but
being so portable and only with a device.
convenient to bring
everywhere  For some, talking to Siri
fulfills their personal need
for interaction with others

8.  It is common to spend Television
any leisure time watching
television
 Following the stereotype
that men don’t want to
be disturbed by their
wife/girlfriend or family
while watching sports
“over the course of
childhood, youngsters spend
more time watching TV than
they spend in school” (Daily
Telegraph reporter, 2012.
para 2).

9.  Countless hours have
Video Games been spent playing
video games by kids,
teenagers and young
adults
 An obsession for video
games can be
developed
 Playing games online
with “friends” that have
never met in person
“These days, screens of one kind or another occupy
youth for 50 hours a week” (Oskin, 2012. para 7).

10. Self Serve Services
 Self serve services
reduces the social
interaction on a day-to-
day basis
 You can get money from
the bank, fill up your car
at the gas station, go
buy groceries at the
store and go home and
have no human contact
whatsoever

11. Pro’s and Con’s of Technology effecting
Social Isolation
Pro’s Con’s
 Keep in touch over distance  Spend too much time using
 Quick and easy these technologies
 Text when you get the  Neglect human interaction
chance  Rely on these technologies
 Can be relaxing to be there
 Bring the technology with  Failure to limit time isolated
you by using these technologies
 Lack of brain power
required

12. Is it really that bad?
Although these technologies can lead to
social isolation, it can also reduce it. Using social
media networks provides opportunities to meet
new friends that we may keep for the rest of our
lives.

13. A company called Pew Internet conducted
a survey which provided results that suggested
these technologies reduced social isolation.
“people who regularly use digital technologies are more social
than the average American and more likely to visit parks and
cafes, or volunteer for local organizations” (Olsen, 2009. para
3).

14. Conclusion
It is logical that those who are involved in
social media networks are also involved in the
community. Social media networks provide the
option to discover new and existing community
events. As socially isolating as technology can
be, as long as we are capable of controlling how
much we use it and what ways we use it, it
doesn’t have to be such a negative aspect.

15. Sources
Daily Telegraph reporter. (2012) Children 'spend more time watching
TV than at school. Retrieved from
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/95953
17/Children-spend-more-time-watching-TV-than-at-
school.html
Dictionary.com
Olsen, S. (2009) Does technology reduce social isolation?. Retrieved
from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/does-
technology-reduce-social-isolation/
Oskin, B. (2012) Teens and video games: How much is too much?
Retrieved from
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/13/teens-and-video-
games-how-much-is-too-much/