TALKING VIA TEXT

computers and kids, originally uploaded by foreversouls.

Over the weekend, The New York Times published this fascinating article about how technology is affecting the way kids and teens interact. Do you think that in the age of Facebook and unlimited text messages, we are forgetting how to talk to each other? Or, do you think that the inundation of availability is making us better communicators? That's the debate.

I was surprised when reading the article to learn that most teens send and get 50 texts or more a day in our country! To see how I compared, I logged on to check my phone bill and was even more shocked. Top this... At 2991 messages sent and received in the last month, I averaged 99 texts a day! Yikes.

We think that in this time, where we can reach and be reached at nearly any moment by the push of a button, the world has become a much more efficient place. Our parents always know they can reach us immediately. We can track down friends to ask about hanging out and know right away what the answer is. Homework questions get a quick response. Taking it even further, to save more time, we aren't even spelling words out--using shorthand and abbreviations at any chance we can.

In all of this effectiveness, are we forgetting to just "be"? It has been weeks since I called a friend just to say hi and talk. When I do take a few precious minutes away from being efficient to pick up the phone, my friends are shocked when they pick up--that is, if they are also able to take a couple of minutes to catch up in the midst of their busy lives.

Regardless of the better and worse reasons above, we are in a new world for this generation to figure out. Will we still be able to really communicate with each other and also use this technology to its full potential? IDK, it will take TOT to figure out. In the meantime, perhaps while we are texting or wall posting away, we should remind ourselves how nice it can be to hear the voice of that friend or family member and remember to pick up the phone. There is speed dial, after all...