Media has become a familiar aspect in today’s world.

Forms of media such as computers, TV, and all sorts of other electronics have become a modern pare of American life.

I can’t lie I’ve spent countless hours of my day using different outlets of media for entertainment, information and communication. The fact is, though, that it is such a part of my daily regimen that I never notice how much I use it.

On average people spend 41 percent of their day using media. 41 percent, you can chalk that up to about 590 minutes of the day an average person uses forms of media. That is a very big portion of one’s day to be using media.

However, the point I’m conveying is that I feel media has caused a decline in interpersonal communication. Back before media was so advanced, people used to have to talk to each other face to face or in a group to get their point across.

Nowadays, all a person has to do is pick a phone and in a matter of seconds they can talk to anybody on their contacts list, broadcast their message on the radio, or  post a blog via the internet.

These forms of communication are spread using media outlets; this form of communication is known as mass communication which has begun to outgrow interpersonal communication.

The advancement of media and its accessibility have in a sense diminished interpersonal communication. For instance when we need to talk to a friend we do not go on a scavenger hunt for them, we’d try to call them, text them, or even message them on Facebook. Why? Because it’s easier and less time consuming.

Interpersonal communication has almost become a thing of the past in our lives in a way.

While interpersonal communication is still very relevant and an important skill to have, the flow of society and how the world works today edges toward mass communication.

It is due to the fact that mass communication is far more effective in some cases than interpersonal communication.

Whatever the case may be or how you view it, they both are important. I encourage you not to let your interpersonal communication skills diminish just because it’s easier to use media to communicate. I say that, because interpersonal communication is so important when it comes to interviews, class and the real world.

So, take a break from talking on the phone and try talking face to face.