■ INFORMEDdebate from members: Amelie Arsenault Trois-Rivieres, Quebec For me, being social means being in direct contact with people. YES Is social media making
people less social?
THE SEnSATIonAl RISE in the use of Facebook, Twitter and other
social media networks has changed the way people interact with
each other. Some people believe these networks encourage us to be
more social: They make it easier to keep up with social events, connect with old friends and meet new people who share common interests. Critics argue that we are spending more time on social media
networks than with each other, becoming more comfortable interacting with user interfaces than face-to-face, and creating superficial
online relationships rather than relationships of substance.
Frances Prins
Spruce Grove, Alberta
No more personal
interaction, which is
so important. We are
losing the art of true
discourse.
What do you think?
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
Priscilla Hay
Winnipeg, Manitoba
• www.nationalpost.com; search “Is social media harming our mental health?”
• www.swervecalgary.com; search “The brave new world of anti-social media”
• www.cbc.ca; search “Is social media making us anti-social?”
I don’t find it personal.
I’d rather meet people
in person.
• www.benefitscanada.com; search “Social networking revitalizes wellness”
• www.google.ca; search “The virtual self: How our digital lives are altering the
world around us”
• www.google.ca; search “Does the Internet increase, decrease, or supplement
social capital?”
NO
from members:
Rick Bussoli
Winnipeg, Manitoba
CANADA ACCEPTS MORE immigrants per capita than any other nation.
Many Canadians think that immigration is a positive feature of this country,
but there is controversy over whether Canada should increase immigration
in the coming years, maintain it at current levels or reduce it.
It increases the
availability for most
people. It also makes
it easier for overall
communication.
Those who support increasing immigration say this will ensure a supply
of skilled workers, promote innovation and increase demand for our
goods and services.
Evelyne Poirier
Shawinigan, Quebec
It’s how young people
communicate.
Critics argue that these predictions are exaggerated and that increasing
immigration will increase poverty among immigrants and impose social
and fiscal burdens for all Canadians.
What do you think?
Davis Kierstead
STOCKDISC
St. Albert, Alberta
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• www.globeandmail.com; search “Why Canada needs a flood of immigrants”
• www.financialpost.com; search “Don’t count on future immigrants for economic growth”
It enables people to
access social avenues
to become more
social.
• www.cic.gc.ca; search “Citizenship and Immigration Research and Statistics”
