Final answer:
Technology can make communication more difficult due to the challenges in disconnecting from work, establishing clear boundaries, and adapting to new social norms. The digital divide exacerbates these issues, and the rapid pace of technological evolution spurs ongoing debates about its role in our lives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reasoning behind the statement that technology designed to communicate can also make communication more difficult involves several facets. Firstly, for many individuals, the constant connectivity provided by devices like cell phones and computers can lead to difficulties in creating boundaries between work and personal life. According to Smith (2012), approximately one-fifth of cell phone owners believe that their phones make it harder to disconnect from work and give undivided attention to people or tasks.
Moreover, the advent of mobile phones has created new social norms around communication. Although texting is a quieter means of communication and has largely supplanted phone conversations for its inconspicuous nature, it is seen by some as an impersonal or less engaging form of interaction. The rapid pace of technological evolution, as well as the societal divide it can create—known as the digital divide—contributes to the complexity of communication in the technological era.
Additionally, the integration of technology in daily life leads to questions about its long-term impacts on behavior and thought processes. Many people express strong opinions about technology usage, yet others may hold opposite views, further demonstrating the complexities introduced by technology into communication and social interaction.