Oct 22 2012: I feel as though future generations are going to become more dependent upon technological communication to uphold their impersonal and, even worse, personal relationships. Specifically though "texting" will be the driving force behind my hypothesis. I used to work for a church in the youth ministry. One thing that I noticed is that kids are being allowed to have cell phones at progressively younger ages. Thus creating a sense of need upon this telecommunication device. I'll admit there certainly are advantages to having a cell phone. However, when this device becomes the main source of an adolescent's ability to communicate, that's where my negative view of "texting" comes into play. Simply put, "texting" not only limits, but hinders, the sincerity one can have when communicating. For example, while working at the church I was always having students (7th-12th grade) come up to me and want to talk, sometimes serious but mostly casual. Regardless of the subject of the conversation my ability to help/communicate with the student coincided with the fact that we were having said conversation in person, not via "texting."
Looking at the next generation, I do not only see lack of ability to participate in interpersonal communication as an effect of "texting", but also the possibility of social ineptness. "Texting" gives the user the ability to hide behind technology and not convey any sort of honest emotion. The user does not have to actually speak WITH another human, but rather can just speak TO another human.
Worst-case scenario, "texting" will be the imminent downfall of the interpersonal future.
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A comment on Conversation: Debate: The effects of texting on the next generation.
Looking at the next generation, I do not only see lack of ability to participate in interpersonal communication as an effect of "texting", but also the possibility of social ineptness. "Texting" gives the user the ability to hide behind technology and not convey any sort of honest emotion. The user does not have to actually speak WITH another human, but rather can just speak TO another human.
Worst-case scenario, "texting" will be the imminent downfall of the interpersonal future.