People these days watch TV, films and other programmes alone rather than with other people. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

Due to the advent of streaming services and personal computers it has become increasingly common for individuals to watch entertainment alone rather than with friends and family. In my opinion,

this

is overall a negative development despite the conveniences it offers. The advantages of more insular viewing habits relate to individual convenience.

Firstly

,

this

concerns choice. A Netflix subscriber is able to choose from a wide range of current and past entertainment without having to consult others.

This

means they are more likely to choose to program relevant to their tastes.

Secondly

, watching shows alone allows for greater flexibility. An individual can pause, switch to another program, re-watch shows, and transition between a variety of portable devices. Each of these decisions does not require negotiation with others and can be made depending on a person’s mood and preferences.

However

, I believe the tradeoffs related to social cohesion are more pressing concerns. Society has become increasingly insular in general due to the pervasiveness of one-sided technological interactions on devices

such

as smartphones and laptops.

This

transition has loosened social bonds between family members, friends, significant others, and society at large. In the past, a family might watch a television show together, joke about it, discuss it, and

then

have a common point of reference for later conversations.

This

is now less likely and many consumers now spend an outsized amount of time alone, limiting their exposure to other perspectives. Over time, the effects on mental health and social unity may be drastic and difficult to reverse.