30 Minus 2 Days of Writing
Or as I like to refer to it... the OMG are you an idiot for agreeing to do this writing challenge? See the other masochists participants Nicky has strong-armed invited over at We Work for Cheese.
Texting is slowly replacing conversation and while it is convenient it has innate problems for our society.
I text, usually to keep in contact with family members, tell them I love them, remind them of things, check in on my kids. The problem with texting is that kids today text more than they actually talk to each other.
This is a problem because it is keeping kids from learning how to converse and communicate effectively with people.
When you text people you cannot see their facial expression, body language, they cannot hear the inflection in your voice. And if they interpret your message incorrectly it can lead to misunderstandings. Whenever I see my kids texting about something important I always tell them CALL the person! Do not have important conversations via text. But in a society that embraces the easy & convenient way, we are raising a generation of kids who are lacking in the basic social skills we learned prior to the boom in technology.
I work in a senior high school. Part of my job as a speech therapist is to teach appropriate social skills to my students who lack the innate knowledge that the average student learns through normal language development. When I listen in the hallways from time to time and hear some kids as they try to talk with teachers, I am appalled. It is not just the "special ed" kids who could use instruction in social communication.
There is no easy answer here.Technology will continue to advance and people will continue to text. I just hope that people remember the importance of conversation and talk to their kids.
In everyday life it is becoming harder and harder for families to sit down regularly for a family meal, but when they do I hope the use that time to talk. That's the only way children learn HOW to initiate and maintain a conversation.
I couldn't agree more. Like my wife likes to say, "Social media is a misnomer. It should be called unsocial media".
ReplyDeleteI agree about talking via phone when it's something important or if possible, face to face. Texting isn't meant for those kinds of conversations.
ReplyDeleteTexting has taken us five steps away from direct communication. Blogging has taken us one step forward.
ReplyDeleteLuckily my child with social interaction issues didn't start texting until well into his college years. It helps him keep in contact with his buddies that are at other schools, so I am all for it as it keeps the friendships alive.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Barb. :)
ReplyDeleteCrazy indeed, is this culture of kids. It's even worse when you are seeing fifth and sixth graders with their heads buried in their phones!
ReplyDeleteShawn has a good point ^ and I'm with you - I would be more than happy to have the texting feature of phones totally removed.
ReplyDeleteGood point! I texted my sister just yesterday and she totally misunderstood me. She was mad and giving me hell all because I wanted her to tell me why texting is evil so I had an idea for today's topic. Luckily, she's my sister so a quick "?" followed by a "I just need an idea for a blog post" squared everything.
ReplyDeleteI agree with sitting down and talking. That's something we don't do enough. As a teenager, I was constantly on the phone. Now I prefer to email or FB message rather than call. Best of all is visiting in person!
ReplyDeleteI actually worry about my kids and conversation. Texting CANNOT be good for our kids!
ReplyDeleteHey Barb! I nodded sadly at this: "When you text people you cannot see their facial expression, body language, they cannot hear the inflection in your voice. And if they interpret your message incorrectly it can lead to misunderstandings." Welcome to my life. Indigo x
ReplyDeleteYou have a point here, Barb. Texting is convenient and handy, but it should never replace real conversation and genuine human interaction. You have an interesting take on the effect of communication technology on child development. For humanity's sake, I hope it's not as bad as you're letting on.
ReplyDelete