We are living in an information era, a digital age, where mammoth amounts of data are easily available and accessible at just a click of a button.

There are people who are so consumed virtually that they cannot enjoy their experiences- Kristina Grech

Although the internet has enhanced the distribution of information it has its pitfalls. One such pitfall is the transference of personal and private information which may put people at risk.

The growing fad of social networking has caused much controversy over data protection. People’s lives are available online, exposing personal details be it marital status, address, phone number, work place or personal posts about their whereabouts. Personal information is no longer personal but completely public. Want someone to rob your house? Just post when you’re heading out of town.

These social platforms were intended to promote communication between individuals, and yet when you bump into old friends you haven’t seen for ages, you are no longer so excited to see them.

Why? Because you know almost everything about them. You know where and when they last were abroad, which degree they are reading for, if they have just graduated, where they work, if this friend got a promotion, how cute their kid is, their new address, and so on. So when you are lost for words and close the ‘conversation’ awkwardly you know why… You have all the information.

The main problem is that we are living vicariously through others. We do this by browsing through their personal albums or posts. You might laugh but this could become dangerous. Seeing what others are doing and what others have might aggravate some people. They might feel jealous or frustrated and this may lead people to become alienated from each other.

Think about your relationships; is their quality in your conversations? Are they dry? Do you feel awkward? When you see old friends in the street do you avoid them because you just couldn’t be bothered? Do you want to converse? Or would you rather stick to chats and texts? Do you yearn for human interaction?

Although social networks do help to improve communication among people who are separated by great distances, for some there isn’t much of a divide. Some prefer to use such platforms as a smokescreen to hide behind. The funny thing is that they gain confidence in a virtual world but when it comes to face-to-face confrontation they struggle to communicate.

A major concern is that people are not living for themselves but try to fit a perfect profile. There are people who are so consumed virtually that they cannot enjoy their experiences.

Think of the last time you went out, or the last big event, say your graduation. Was it recorded immediately? Did you upload a post at that very moment? What was more pleasing; the event itself, or the fact that people would be seeing how much fun you are having? How important is your virtual world? Would you be able to go on a 15-day fast without Facebook and Twitter? Would you be able to cope?

I cannot say I am totally against social networks although I do feel that communication has drastically changed. Real-time conversations lack quality, and confidence levels seem to be declining. It is sad to think that we have become slaves to a virtual world, a world which is completely misconstrued.

Prove me wrong and join me for 15 days free from the clutches of social networking and analyse your face-to-face encounters.