This is with reference to the article “The growing social isolation” (Aug. 29) by Ibraheem Alammar. The writer has highlighted an important issue that we are facing due to the current technological onslaught in the form of smartphones and easy access to the Internet. I am not against the use of technology but we cannot, however, ignore its negative impact on overall human behavior.
Human interaction is very important and in the absence of it or a lack of it affects personality development. Internet and smartphones are changing human behavior at a rapid pace and there is a need to make people understand that these inventions or gadgets should be used as a utility like any other that was introduced in the past like telephone and electricity.
Excessive use of anything is hazardous. I do agree with the writer that we are fast wrapping around a cocoon of technology around us and slipping into our own isolated worlds, which in the long run would spell disaster for human development.
We cannot ignore human relationships and switch to online friendships instead. By default, humans are not designed to act in this manner. We need to revisit our priorities. This growing phenomenon needs our immediate attention. Social scientists need to step in and address this issue on an urgent basis before it’s too late for us to act. — Kamran Ahmed, Riyadh
Going high-tech
