Communication between friends and family has never been so quick and easy.

Staying in contact with a friend across the country is as simple as a Facebook. One would think such convenience would enhance our communication skills and strengthen our relationships with more people.

Instead of enhancing communication, new technologies are transforming how we build relationships.

Social networks, such as Facebook or MySpace, have over one hundred million members. Often, members have hundreds of friends.

These social networks have also developed into informing every “friend,” on the network of every time you write to someone else, post new pictures, your relationship status and basically any function you may perform on the network.

Mary Henningsen, NIU communications professor with an emphasis in interpersonal communication, decision making and social influence, has discussed technology in class.

“What I’ve learned from those class discussions is that these technologies both connect and disconnect relationships,” Henningsen said. “Facebook also communicates information to a lot of people quickly. That information is posted in ‘news feed’ rather than people having the opportunity to disclose the information selectively.”

Reading and interpreting a message from a person in the form of script lacks the tone of a conversation.

Instead of using inflections in a person’s voice to communicate a humorous, serious or relaxed conversation, tone is now determined with acronyms like “LOL” or “BTW.”

Texting also inhibits spontaneity because when typing, anyone can change what they want to say until their message sounds appealing to the other person.

Social networking has many of the same effects. While these networks may help you find someone from high school, people may add friends based on profile pictures or friends in common.

These meetings seem to replace face-to-face meetings in clubs, organizations or parties.

A Sept. 1998 American Psychological Association article stated that higher Internet use causes shrinking social support and happiness and will raise depression and loneliness.

This article is more than 10 years old and found early negative effects of electronic communication. Since then, new technology has developed.

Their popularity is higher than ever and continuing to rise. Like most things, moderation is the key. There are many times where it is more appropriate to e-mail or text somebody. But, do not forget about the true connection in a conversation of facial expressions, volume and tone.

There is uniqueness in human communication that no computer or cell phone will ever be able to convey.