Do computer impair people's verbal communication skill?

The answer to this question is No. To the contrary, I believe that computer has improved interpersonal communication.

First we still rely on verbal communication for the detailed talk. Let’s take Email for example. It’s no doubt that Email is significantly useful tool in our society. We can send a message to a lot of people all at once and avoid receiver’s interruption. Some people criticize that this aspect impairs people's verbal communication skill. However I’m against this idea. At my work place, we don’t use Email to make a decision for complicated technical issue or a billion yen business. We make a consensus at the meeting. It’s hard to think that Email is used for the conversation for marriage contract or divorce. I believe that Email is just tool to assist our communication.

Second, computer can generate chance to enlarge the circle of friends. For example, I have own blog page on the net. I post miscellaneous essay including summer vacation/conflict with boss and so on. Some people leave comments. Then we start exchanging E-mail. In some cases, we meet in person. I got a friend who is a cram school teacher through this process. We meet at least once a month. It’s no exaggeration that computer could be a good trigger to enhance interpersonal communication.

In conclusion, I don’t think that computer impair people's verbal communication skill.

If anything, I believe that computer improve interpersonal communication.