Communication and digitalization: educational societies, digital master’s, but communicational illiterates

Abstract

Digitalization has transformed communication in the educational field, offering both opportunities and challenges for the development of communication skills. A qualitative and descriptive study analyzed the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the social interaction of 75 adolescents in Samborondón. The findings indicated a dependence on digital devices and a high consumption of platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram, evidencing that expressions and gestures from the virtual environment are transferred to face-to-face interactions. Although these digital tools facilitate communication and access to information, their excessive use can harm face-to-face communication. Therefore, it is crucial for education to implement strategies that balance the development of digital skills with interpersonal communication.