How technology and the internet has influenced/reinforced cultural values in the Americas...

In the United States people live very impersonal lives, which is a result of the technology that citizens in this country have available to them. In the United States it is very common to meet someone online and begin a relationship with this person before even meeting them in person. The affect of internet has been both a blessing and a burden for this country. While the internet easily connects people, it also leaves many people looking for something more. This trend has only began to worsen with the introduction of popular text messaging, which allows people to now communicate without even having to speak to the other person. I believe these technologies have played important roles in American culture because they have helped society develope a unique relationship with those people around them. In this country we do not greet others in a very personal way, which is very different from Latin America. Also when saying good bye to others in Latin America is a long, and somewhat personal good-bye, which you do not find in the United States.
In the United States there are over twice as many people who use the Internet as there are in South America. I feel this subtle difference in usage has played an important role in not only helping to uphold traditional social values in South America, but it has also helped to create new values in the United States' society. The lack of internet available has allowed the region to remain an area that upholds traditional, personal greetings. This lack of technology has also allowed the Continent to remain more personal and friendly over-all because while we talk on cell phones or listen to I-pods many places in South America have never heard of these inventions, which makes them have to speak to each other?
So my question to you...... Do you believe the advantages of technology are more important than upholding the more personal relationships of the past??? As the world progresses more toward a technologically advanced world, we will discover what the true answer to this question is. It may mean that South Americans will no longer say hola in the street or kiss each other on the cheeks to say hello.