Computer Mediated Communication:
dangers and benefits
While many people praise Computer Mediated Communication's
(CMC) potential to bridge barriers to promote meaningful
dialogue, others against it, caution that CMC is fraught with
dangers. CMC has become a rendezvous, where people meet
everyday through a mailing list or news groups. At present, a
large number of people from every profession use CMC because it
is an economical and convenient way of getting information, and
making contacts. It has become a social activity. Although there
are some dangers associated with CMC, but these can be
mitigated by making certain rules and regulations, and educating
people about its positive use.
Lee and Spears refer CMC relationships as “electronic
relationships”. These relationships may vary from cold
professional encounters to the hot, intimate agreed upon meeting
place. CMC relationships are different from ‘face-to-face’
communication, as it lacks eye-to-eye contact, body language,
social restrains, facial expressions etc, and individuals feel freer
to discuss their problems between them and share valuable
information in the news groups and discussion forums. CMC has
made communication easy among people of different ages,
belonging to various cultures. Moreover, it facilitates equal
participation of both genders; rather, females feel more comfort
in expressing their views regarding different issues. Online
discussion forums are monitored thoroughly to avoid the
instances of displeasures, associated with male aggression in
form of harsh comments.
No doubt, CMC has some disadvantages but its positive effects
are more than the negative ones therefore, CMC can not be
abandoned altogether. It has become inevitable for almost
everyone at present, whether they are students, teachers,
doctors, engineers, businessmen, politicians, reporters. Almost
every kind of information is accessible through internet, and
people are aware of what is going on in the world. The positive
aspects of CMC outweig