MUET ESSAY : Online Communication

'With the development of online communication, people will never be alone and will always be able to make new friends.'
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?

Since 1990’s, there has been a gradual shift from viewing online learning as a tool for language learning toward seeing mastery of online communication as a valuable end in itself. This shows the increasing prominence of online communication in today’s society, with e-mails and online discussion surpassing phone calls or face-to-face interaction (American Management Association International, 1998).

Online communication is defined as a computer-meditated form of communication like reading, writing and exchanging information.  Along with the modernizing nation, the Internet had grown rapidly over the last two decades, and there are now a myriad of internet services available for the public. This essay will elaborate on the three advantages of online communication.

Firstly, online communication grants users flexible access. This is because online forums or any form of conversation online are available 24/7, and this is not the case for public gathering or face to face interactions. Users are able to communicate whenever and wherever convenient for them. This can also promote online learning, encouraging people to take up online courses. Working students would be able to focus on their job during their day and study at the comfort of their own home, adults who travels a lot because of their job would also find online course more convenient.

Secondly, any individual participating in online communication can enjoy the equity in the ability to share their thoughts and ideas. On the web, it is not based on who talk the loudest, or who has the highest rank in their workplace. Everyone on the internet is leveled and everyone has the opportunity to speak. According to Warschauer (1999), he found that people are more likely to participate in computer-mediated discussion compared to face-to-face interaction, thus suggesting that online communication is a useful tool or stage for the quiet or shy to voice out their opinion and ideas.

Besides that, online communications had made connecting with people easier than ever. Adolescents use the internet for making connections and maintaining relationships (Lenhart, Madden, Macsill, & Smith, 2007). Teenagers today basically grew up in the era of Facebook, Whatsapp and Wechat. These online social networks are what enable them to connect with friends and family whenever and wherever they are. Online communication also allows one user to connect with users from around the globe, users can improve and broaden their perspective and learn or discover about other cultures, language, lifestyles and so on. Other than that online communication enables individuals to connect with people with the mutual interests. For instance, a guy who likes to travel the world would be able to connect and make friends with people with the same interest and exchange their thoughts and experience on travelling.

This essay had discussed the three advantages of online communication. Advancing technologies had definitely made life a more comfortable and easier place to live in, allowing the people the benefit of staying connected, whenever and wherever.