IN today`s world, we find ourselves communicating more and more through online platforms, such as messaging, social media and video calls, often at the expense of a face-to-face dialogue.

There are many advantages and disadvantages of online communication.

It provides an opportunity for real-time communication with people in different places. This has considerable benefits as official meetings can take place via videoconferencing among people livingin different parts ofthe world without the need for timeconsuming, exhausting, long-haul business trips.

It also strengthens long-distance relationships and provides opportunities for families and friends to keep in touch on a daily basis. Online communication also gives us the option of responding either immediately or at a time that suits us as well as allowing us to edit and polish our message.

On the other hand, there are several significant drawbacl(s of over-reliance on online communication. For instance, lack of face-to-face interaction impedes the development of vital social skills, such as empathising and reacting to situations in real life.

Also, the very nature of conversation is different in the virtual world. If short snippets of dialogue embellishedwith emoticons end up replacing longer stretches of direct conversation, we are running the risk of losing the art of actual conversation.

Online communication has brought ease in today`s fast-paced, global society, but we should not overlook the benefits of engaging in face-to-face dialogues.

Abdul Sami Nawabshah