The Impact of Communication Technology on Social Interaction

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 106 views

Communication Technology and Social Interaction: Correlational Studies on the use of smartphones among teenagers

The Impact of Communication Technology on Social Interaction

The development of communication technology has revolutionized the way we interact with each other. One of the most significant changes is the widespread use of smartphones, which has made it easier and faster for people to connect with each other. In this context, a study was conducted to examine the effect of smartphone use on social interaction among adolescents, particularly in Harapan 1 Medan High School. This study aims to understand the extent to which the use of communication technology affects social interaction between students.

Theoretical Framework

This research refers to the theory of technological determinism and social interaction. Technological determinism suggests that technology has a significant impact on society and human behavior. In this study, we examine how the use of smartphones affects social interaction among adolescents. The theory of social interaction, on the other hand, suggests that social interactions are essential for human development and well-being. By using quantitative methods and correlational approaches, researchers seek to determine the significant influence between the use of smartphones and adolescent social interactions in Harapan 1 Medan High School.

Methodology

The population in this study consisted of 437 class X and XI students. With reference to Gay Recommendations (in Sunyoto, 2013) which states that the minimum sample size for correlational studies is 30 subjects, researchers set 45 as a more representative sample size. The sampling technique used is proportional random sampling. Data processing and analysis is carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 13.0.

Results

The results of the analysis show that all T-count values are greater than the T-table value of 1,645, which indicates that alternative hypotheses (H1) are accepted and the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected. In other words, there is a significant influence between the use of smartphone technology on social interaction among adolescents in Harapan 1 Medan High School.

Analysis of the Effect of Smartphone on Social Interaction

In the current digital era, smartphones not only function as communication tools, but also as social media that support between interpersonal interactions. Teenagers who use smartphones to communicate not only are connected to their friends directly, but can also interact through various social media applications such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Tiktok. This allows them to maintain relationships, share experiences, and provide mutual support.

However, this phenomenon also invites several questions about the quality of social interaction. Although virtual interactions can reach more people, there are concerns that communication that occurs directly or face to face is reduced. Social interactions that depend more on smartphones have the potential to produce less deep communication. Teenagers may experience difficulties in building important social skills, such as speaking in public or overcoming conflicts directly.

The Impact of Excessive Smartphone Use

In addition, the impact of excessive smartphone use must also be considered. Research shows that the use of uncontrolled smartphones can cause dependence, interfere with focus in learning, and affect adolescent mental health. Therefore, it is essential for parents and educators to supervise and guide adolescents in the use of communication technology to remain useful without disturbing healthy social interaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this research shows that there is a significant relationship between the use of smartphones and social interaction among teenagers in Harapan 1 Medan High School. However, behind the benefits offered by this communication technology, there are challenges that need to be faced by teenagers, parents, and educators. Regulating the use of smartphones wisely will ensure that adolescents can use this technology without sacrificing the quality of social interaction that is important in their development.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Parents and educators should supervise and guide adolescents in the use of communication technology to ensure that it remains useful without disturbing healthy social interaction.
Schools should implement policies and programs that promote responsible smartphone use among students.
Parents and educators should encourage adolescents to engage in face-to-face social interactions to develop important social skills.
Researchers should conduct further studies to examine the long-term effects of smartphone use on social interaction among adolescents.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study only examined the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents in Harapan 1 Medan High School. Future studies should examine the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents in other schools and communities. Secondly, the study only used quantitative methods and correlational approaches. Future studies should use qualitative methods and other approaches to examine the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents.

Future Research Directions

Future research should examine the following directions:

The impact of smartphone use on social interaction among adolescents in other schools and communities.
The relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents with different socio-economic backgrounds.
The impact of excessive smartphone use on adolescent mental health and well-being.
The development of policies and programs that promote responsible smartphone use among adolescents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study shows that there is a significant relationship between the use of smartphones and social interaction among teenagers in Harapan 1 Medan High School. However, behind the benefits offered by this communication technology, there are challenges that need to be faced by teenagers, parents, and educators. Regulating the use of smartphones wisely will ensure that adolescents can use this technology without sacrificing the quality of social interaction that is important in their development.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Communication Technology and Social Interaction

Q: What is the main focus of this study?

A: The main focus of this study is to examine the effect of smartphone use on social interaction among adolescents in Harapan 1 Medan High School.

Q: What is the theoretical framework of this study?

A: The theoretical framework of this study is based on the theory of technological determinism and social interaction. Technological determinism suggests that technology has a significant impact on society and human behavior, while social interaction theory suggests that social interactions are essential for human development and well-being.

Q: What is the methodology used in this study?

A: The methodology used in this study is quantitative and correlational. The population consisted of 437 class X and XI students, and the sampling technique used was proportional random sampling. Data processing and analysis were carried out using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 13.0.

Q: What are the results of this study?

A: The results of this study show that there is a significant influence between the use of smartphone technology on social interaction among adolescents in Harapan 1 Medan High School.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are that parents and educators should supervise and guide adolescents in the use of communication technology to ensure that it remains useful without disturbing healthy social interaction. Schools should also implement policies and programs that promote responsible smartphone use among students.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are that it only examined the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents in Harapan 1 Medan High School. Future studies should examine the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents in other schools and communities. The study also only used quantitative methods and correlational approaches.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include examining the impact of smartphone use on social interaction among adolescents in other schools and communities, the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents with different socio-economic backgrounds, the impact of excessive smartphone use on adolescent mental health and well-being, and the development of policies and programs that promote responsible smartphone use among adolescents.

Q: What are the recommendations for parents and educators?

A: The recommendations for parents and educators are to supervise and guide adolescents in the use of communication technology to ensure that it remains useful without disturbing healthy social interaction. They should also encourage adolescents to engage in face-to-face social interactions to develop important social skills.

Q: What are the recommendations for schools?

A: The recommendations for schools are to implement policies and programs that promote responsible smartphone use among students. They should also provide education and training on the safe and responsible use of smartphones.

Q: What are the recommendations for researchers?

A: The recommendations for researchers are to conduct further studies to examine the long-term effects of smartphone use on social interaction among adolescents. They should also use qualitative methods and other approaches to examine the relationship between smartphone use and social interaction among adolescents.

Q: What are the implications for policy makers?

A: The implications for policy makers are to develop policies and programs that promote responsible smartphone use among adolescents. They should also provide education and training on the safe and responsible use of smartphones.

Q: What are the implications for the community?

A: The implications for the community are that parents, educators, and policymakers should work together to promote responsible smartphone use among adolescents. They should also provide education and training on the safe and responsible use of smartphones.

Q: What are the implications for the future?

A: The implications for the future are that the use of smartphones will continue to play a significant role in the lives of adolescents. Therefore, it is essential to promote responsible smartphone use among adolescents to ensure that they can use this technology without sacrificing the quality of social interaction that is important in their development.