How has the use of technology affected people’s ability to communicate face to face?

 
Technological advancement in the last century has had a drastic  impact on the way individuals communicate. The introduction of  ever-progressing cell phone technology, personal computers, and social  media has enabled increased control over our personal interactions with  each other and is playing a large part in the shifting of social values  and priorities. As communications technologies continue to advance ever  further, it calls to question whether the shift in communications is a  good thing or a bad thing and whether technology is aiding or hurting  personal relationships.
After reading the module notes and all of the supplemental materials, respond to the following:

How has the use of technology affected people’s ability to communicate face to face?
Do you think that the mere presence of technology, such as in the  form of smart phones, affects people’s ability to communicate with  individuals in a public place?
Has the increase of technology decreased both the quantity and  quality of face-to-face interactions? In what ways have you experienced  these changes?
Do you see a change (increase or decrease) in this human-technology dependency in the future? What kind of change do you favor?

Support your position using appropriate sources that are properly cited.