Maintaining Family Connections Across Countries

Conversations with My Mother and Younger Brother

Conversations with my mother and my younger brother. Every weekend I speak with my mother by webcam, because she and my younger brother live in Ecuador. Unfortunately, my other two brothers and I live here in Spain. At first, for my two brothers and me it was very difficult to establish a conversation with my mother and my younger brother, since we were accustomed to speaking with them in person and now we have to do it by webcam. As time went on, we are getting accustomed little by little to this situation, since now it is easier and less complicated. However, though we have already been separated from them for three years, we still prefer to be with them and to speak with them in person rather than by webcam. What makes us stronger is thinking that for them this situation is also difficult, and eventually we will get used to it.

Social Networks and Face-to-Face Interaction

Redes sociales — social networks are not as influential as other things when people prefer to establish a conversation on Facebook or Messenger instead of face to face. First, I would say that it is not bad that these networks were invented: for example, in my case my mother is in my home country and to see and talk to her is much easier to do so through social networks like Messenger. I use Facebook more for photos of old friends I have not seen for some time.

On the other hand, it is true that social networks affect face-to-face relationships, because, for example, if you are connected and your neighbor is also, you may prefer to speak to him by computer instead of going to his door to start a conversation. Another disadvantage of social networking is that many people add you and you accept them thinking they are your friends. But in reality you could be mistaken, and that is risky because these people you do not know can see your personal information.

Therefore, I think that social networks do affect people in general but they have their advantages. I would advise people to try meeting friends and talking to them face to face, because you can learn about your friends in a more complete way and not only through a computer.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages: Easier contact across long distances, seeing relatives, sharing photos.
• Disadvantages: Reduced face-to-face interaction, possible privacy risks, mistaken online friendships.