Technology Disrupts Conversation

After reading this week’s lecture about conversation, I couldn’t help but reflect on the topic.  I’m fascinated with the way people interact, in every facet.  Meeting for the first time, the progression of a relationship, face-to-face interaction, body language and – you guessed it – bonding via technology.  This is why I’m such a fan of Catfish: as a viewer, I try to decipher why it’s easier to trust via the internet.  I’m determined to find the answers.

But conversation comes with a terrible downfall.  I’ve mentioned in previous posts that people are constantly on their phones in all settings, whether social or isolated.  Instead of bringing us closer, it causes an “alone togetherness.”  We’re together, but distracted.

If you’re on a date with someone incessantly using his/her phone, they’re uninterested.  If you’re a student, texting could be the difference between an A and a C.  As a waitress, I see parents eating with their children, in silence.  Mom and dad are texting, tweeting or Facebook-ing while little Johnny eats alone.  It’s sad.  There’s no other way to describe it.

Last year, Sherry Turkle led a discussion, “Connected, but alone?” about the role of phones in our lives.

Referring to the “Goldilocks Effect,” Turkle says that “people like to keep themselves at a distance that they can control.”  This is because real conversations imply pressure.  Eye contact.  Body language.  Immediate response.  Real emotion. Vulnerability.  As Turkle describes it, we can’t edit, rewrite or delete during real conversation, but with texting, we can.

Turkle goes on to say that cell phones provide an “illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.”  We aren’t required to take stroll with Lindsey, but we’ll text her at 11 p.m.  Even worse, we’re so suffocated by our phones that we don’t enjoy “real” alone time, which makes us feel more alone.

I agree with Turkle, as I fell victim to these situations.  I’ve tried to spend some “me time” reading, only to simultaneously text eight people.  Just today, I went to the gym and texted while reading, watching TV, listening to my iPod, using an exercise machine and later talking on the phone.  This was supposed to be alone time – it wasn’t.

I’ve experienced the cell phone’s lack of compassion.  I can text my old college roommates, telling them I miss them, but it’s nothing like being together, laughing and making memories.  Texting can only go so far.

And yet, we continue to use texting as a wall.  We won’t rid of the habit, but we complain when our date texts during meals or our friend doesn’t answer quickly.  It doesn’t make any sense, but it’s the fate of our generation, or so it seems.  As a nation, we’re distracted from the one tool that’s used to keep us together.

It’s a paradox, really.

Keep an Eye on Your Teen with the Kut off Kids Mobile Application

To view the Kut off Kids Prezi, click here.

Executive Summary

One-by-one, your child’s classmates are given smart phones.  Some of them have working parents, while others are involved in after school activities and need the device to contact their guardians.  Whichever the case may be, young Lucy is begging to join the mobile parade.  Sure, you’ll need to consider the increased monthly bill and rules about usage, once she joins the family plan.

But, what about safety matters?

When teens are given cell phones, they are granted free range to communicate with new people from different areas.  Rebellious teens can test their boundaries, claiming to be at the shopping mall when realistically traveling downtown.  Lucy may claim to be sleeping at Amy’s, but may actually stay at Ryan’s.  If these scenarios mimic your concerns, than the Kut off Kids app is the tool for you.

Kut off Kids is a mobile application and safety tool for guardians to track their child’s whereabouts.  For just $4.99 a month, users can customize the app, creating safety and danger zones and receiving itineraries of their child’s locations throughout the day.

If a child ventures to an unwarranted area, or, a “danger zone,” the phone will immediately cease all communication aside from contact with their guardian. Your teen will be unable to call, text or utilize any social media until returning to a safety zone.

Aside from different zones, guardians can customize whether they’d like a safety report of their child’s whereabouts sent directly to their e-mail or cell phone.  The phone will record their child’s locations at customizable times during the day, whether every twelve hours or by the hour, sending an itinerary of Lucy’s locations.

How will this communication block help, you may ask?  For teens trying to sneak around, lacking the ability to communicate with their cohorts is frustrating.  It makes their plans more difficult and discourages them from pursuing whatever activity he/she has in mind.  It stalls them, allowing you, as a guardian, to develop a plan of action.

Kut off Kids will only be available to account holders.  The purchasing process will require specific information only obtainable by those directly billed to prevent malicious use of Kut off Kids.  Since only account holders can use the app, Lucy’s jealous boyfriend or the suspicious neighbor cannot track her whereabouts.  But, mom and dad can.

The application will only connect with Lucy’s phone through the GPS standalone service.  And, when Kut off Kids is purchased, your child can no longer deactivate their GPS service.  Your child will have no way of knowing the app is in use, and you won’t need to tell them!

If you’re weary about Kut off Kids or don’t want to exhibit parent-stalker syndrome, allow me to dissuade these thoughts.  The teen years are some of the more rebellious, confusing processes in one’s life.  WebMD’s Jeanie Davis reports that teens are now exposed to adult activities more than ever before.

It is mainly during the 13 to 17-year-old demographic that teens will experience their first love, sexual encounter and exposure to drugs and alcohol.  At this stage, parents know whether Lucy is the rebellious type, but regardless of her demeanor, monitoring her behavior and whereabouts could prevent poor decision-making.

Kut off Kids could be the difference between Lucy involving herself with Mike, the marijuana smoking outcast or Sam, the driven baseball player with college plans.  It could mean the difference between a Friday night movie or booze fest.  It could give parents a leg up on their child’s extracurricular activities.

Kut off Kids will initially receive its funding after the official website is launched.  Here, interested consumers can learn more about the mobile application, its capabilities and the story behind K.O.K’s development. Current users can share their experiences with the device and how it has helped their families.

The site will ask for donations to kick off the project, and will reach out to organizations associated with teen safety for help getting started.  Over the course of six months, while the K.O.K. app is in development, a social media campaign will be launched for publicity purposes. K.O.K. will use popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to reach large groups of people.  After the application is launched, 10 cents of every user subscription will be donated to the organization that contributes the most to K.O.K.’s development. The application will be available for purchase in the mobile application store corresponding with the user’s smart phone and service provider.

Prezi Photo Works Cited

N.d. Photograph. AIS MEDIA. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.aismedia.com/social_media_marketing.php&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. Business Insider. By Dan Frommer. 28 Oct. 2009. Web. 22 July 2013. .

N.d. Photograph. Esuranceblog. By Jessica Guerin. 10 Sept. 2012. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://blog.esurance.com/the-latest-trends-in-teen-driving/#.Ue1sZKxt5dN&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. Flash XML. 20 June 2011. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.flashxml.net/blog/web-design-techniques-that-boost-website-usability.html&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. Gateway. By Team Gateway. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.gatewaytechnolabs.com/blog/2013/04/possibilities-of-mobile-application-development-to-increase-your-business/&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. The Jay Block Companies. By Jay Block. 29 June 2012. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.jayblock.com/your-comfort-zone-is-the-danger-zone/&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. Living Bulwark. By Jamie Treadwell. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/may2012p9.htm&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. Livestrong. By Cynthia Measom. Livestrong, 3 June 2013. Web. 22 July 2013. .

N.d. Photograph. Marc A. Theermann. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.theermann.com/blog/&gt;.

N.d. Photograph. The Telegraph. 18 May 2010. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/canada/7738371/Woman-to-sue-phone-company-after-husband-discovered-affair-through-bill.html&gt;.

Rebellious Teen Girl. N.d. Photograph. Change Coaching Institute. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.mariakhalife.com/children/insight-to-the-rebellious-teenager&gt;.

“Teenagers with Cell Phone from Web” N.d. Photograph. The Crusader. 20 Apr. 2013. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.thecrusaderschs.org/showcase/2013/04/20/what-cell-phone/&gt;.

“Teens Who Sneak out Are Often Hiding Unsavory Activities.” N.d. Photograph. Global Post. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/monitor-teen-keeps-sneaking-out-3630.html&gt;.

Winer, Dave. N.d. Photograph. ARS Technica. 19 June 2013. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/01/att-tosses-smartphone-tablets-users-more-data-jacks-up-prices/&gt;.

WM. N.d. Photograph. Works Management. Web. 22 July 2013. <http://www.worksmanagement.co.uk/health-and-safety/news/euticals-ltd-fined/43978/&gt;.

Kut off Kids Mobile Application Proposal

In the world of the modern teenager, anybody who’s anybody owns a cell phone.  And if you don’t, you’re missing out.  But aside from just a social tool, cell phones have a REAL purpose– safety.

 When teens are given cell phones, they are granted free range to communicate with new people from different areas. Teens may say they’re going to the mall, but realistically travel downtown. Sally may claim to be sleeping at Amy’s, but realistically be at Ryan’s. If these issues sound like your concerns, than Kut off Kids is the app for you.

 Kut off Kids is a new mobile application and safety tool that parents can use to track their child’s whereabouts. For just $2.99 a month, the app allows parents to create safety zones and danger zones for their child’s cell phone. If a child ventures to an unwarranted area, or a “danger zone,” the phone will immediately cease all communication activity aside from contact with their guardian. Your teen will be unable to text, call or utilize social media until returning to a safe zone. It will also provide you with a daily report of your child’s whereabouts, regardless of danger zone breaches.  With Kut off Kids, you’ll become the world’s smartest parent. Your child will have no way of knowing the application is in use, and you won’t need to tell them!

Kut off Kids will initially receive its funding after the K.O.K. official website is unleashed. Here, interested consumers can learn more about the mobile application, its capabilities and the story behind K.O.K.’s development. The site will ask for donations to get the project started and will reach out to organizations associated with teen safety for help. Over the course of six months, while K.O.K is in development, a social media campaign will be conducted for publicity purposes. K.O.K. will join popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to reach large groups of people.  After the application is developed, 10 cents of every subscription will be donated to the organization that most contributes to K.O.K.’s development. The application will be available for purchase in the mobile application store associated with the user’s cell phone.

 

With PlaceRaider, Cell Phone Privacy Is Nonexistant

In light of my classmates’ posts about internet safety, I was inspired to carry over the vibe to cell phones.

A couple years ago, a friend told me to be wary of my cell phone.  She said that a hacker had tapped into a family’s cell phone system, monitoring their habits for months until finally robbing them.  At the time, I hadn’t heard anything about this crime, nor had I read any follow-up information. But recently, I began to wonder – could this be true?

It turns out, it can.

Recently, a crew of researchers at Indiana University, led by Robert Templeman at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Crane, Indiana, teamed up to develop “PlaceRaider,” a form of malware.  Designed for Android devices, the program takes over a cell phone’s camera to capture user behavior and download personal information.  Simply put: PlaceRaider can record users’ surroundings, identity and financial information, such as credit cards and PIN numbers. The program can even tap into calendar notes to document when users are away from their homes.

Normally, when Android phones take pictures, a shutter sound plays.  To combat this, PlaceRaider has the power to shut off this sound, taking pictures while “recording the time, location and orientation of the phone”  without user awareness.

According to PlaceRaider’s research document :

“The final objective of PlaceRaider is to siphon images from a user’s surroundings such that reconnaissance and visual theft can occur in an efficient manner.”

To test the program, Templeman and his colleagues provided 20 individuals with PlaceRaider-affected cell phones. The individuals, who were unaware of the program, were asked to use their phones for “various ordinary purposes in an office environment.” The study yielded detailed images of the office collected by the phones, deeming the test a success.

But, the program isn’t entirely foolproof.  At least, not yet.

The PlaceRaider research document also states:

“While providing a very general and powerful surveillance capability, our implementation of PlaceRaider relies solely on human vision for the extraction of detailed valuable information.”

In other words, the device only works if we allow it. If our cell phones are placed face-down while in office, the camera cannot physically photograph documents or surroundings.

The system also isn’t universal.  It only runs on the Android system, but will probably expand to different markets in the future. And even though various articles about PlaceRaider claim that it shouldn’t be of concern [yet], we can never be too sure.

 

Teen Sexting

*Giving credit to IMNOOB71, one of my classmates, for mentioning sexting in a recent post and inspiring me to create this one.*

 

Random studies will tell us that one in five Americans are chronically late , urinate in the pool or believe in witches. You can easily fact-check these miscellaneous statistics on your mobile phone – of which, one in five  American teens use to “sext” with.

From beepers to BBM, there’s no doubt that mobile technologies have helped teens experiment with social skills. But, has it been for the right reasons?

Defined by Merriam Webster , sexting is “the sending of sexually explicit messages or images by cell phones.” Not-so-ironically, the term was first coined in 2007, when the camera application was born.

As flip phones evolved into minicomputers and more teens took ownership, youth sexuality progressed from innocence to scandal in the face of technology. With 78 percent of teens owning a cell phone and using it incessantly [or so it seems], we now know what the fuss may be about.

Not only have 20 percent experimented with sexting, but 20 percent of this number has sent semi-nude or nude photos or video of themselves. To put this into perspective, for every 1,000 teenagers, there are explicit photos/videos of 40 different people, floating around.

And teens are overlooking that these photos don’t disappear, but rather, will wind up online or on mobile applications such as Instagram, and enter cell phone company databases for the duration of history.

Sexting is a moral problem, but it has now become a legal concern as well. Over recent years, sexting has triggered numerous suicides and humiliation by students who were victimized, mostly by a trusted significant other. To crack down on such situations, law enforcement created two categories to classify sexting misconduct.

First, the law questions whether the photo, video or communication itself is legal, which is intended to protect minors or harassment cases. Second, the use of technology to obtain and/or distribute the explicit content is questioned. The FBI provides the example of a school computer as an illegal device used.

Even though the law is taking action, this action simply isn’t enough. The sexting frenzy has brought awareness to schools, parents, the law and merchandise alike. Products allowing parents to monitor their child’s texts are now available. But, is this really the answer or, is there a better method to combat sexting?

As technology progresses, the open avenues to communication will only increase. Awareness and parental monitoring simply aren’t enough anymore.

How to Flirt via Text

Recall the last time you had a “crush” that sent you text, asking to hang out.

“Wanna hang out l8r? Ppl r coming over my house, would like 2 c u there :-)”

Your stomach is in knots and a wide grin spreads across your face. He wants to hang out with me?

Of course, you’d like to go, but you’ve already made plans with Cindy. So, you try to continue the conversation, letting him know you’re interested without being aggressive. But, how do you do that?

The simple solution to any text message flirting is the emoticon, with the winking emoji winning the title of “THE flirty smiley.” Adding an emoticon to any text message automatically lightens the mood, but when texting with a person of interest, the proper emoji has the power to transform the conversation, hopefully working in each party’s favor.

Emoticons are funny, in the sense that they can communicate so much, by sending so little. But, just like with everything else, there’s a proper way to use them, and a way to avoid. The most important mistakes to steer clear of are sending too many emoticons and overusing the winking emoji, which can have a negative connotation. Note the difference between these texts;

“Sure, I’ll come over later.”
“Sure, I’ll come over later ;-)”

I probably don’t need to explain why the latter text sounds suggestive.

Or, note the difference in these texts;

“Sure, I’ll come over later :-)”
“Sure, I’ll come over later 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 :-)”

The latter text appears slightly psychotic, as you can see.

So, how do we use emojis to flirt?

When Johnny first sends his invite text, he included a smiley at the end of the sentence. This smiley communicated a friendly, inviting vibe, which would immediately have changed if the smiley were winking or crying. This is a positive way of informing you of his excitement to see you, without appearing excessive. Respond in the same manner.

“I’d like to hang out, but I made plans with Cindy already. Maybe tomorrow? :-)”

The smiley face Johnny know that you aren’t brushing him off, and that you’re excited to see him as well. However, don’t continue the texting game by including emojis at the beginning, middle or end of every sentence. That’ll appear a bit much.

Fast forward two months from now. Johnny invites you to an exquisite dinner overlooking a lake. You purchased a new sundress for the occasion, complete with a new hairstyle. After the date, he sends you a text;

“You looked beautiful tonight.”

Overcome with excitement, you want to respond accordingly, without letting him know that you’re melting. Here, the winking face can make good use.

“Thanks. You didn’t look too bad yourself ;-)”

Coy, but not suggestive or clingy. That’s the best way to text using your trustee emoticons. Always remember, less is more.

If you have earlier versions of Android devices, which lack all the interesting emojis, I suggest you download an emoji application. Trust me, they’ll come in handy.

Texting Ruins Interpersonal Skills – Especially Amongst Teens

In my devil’s advocate piece, I argue that texting is beneficial for introverts. It helps them to remain connected with others without leaving the comfort of home. However, I believe quite the opposite; that texting hinders social communication between people by eliminating the need for physical encounters.

Two years ago, text messaging surpassed safety on the list of reasons why teens purchase cell phones. If this says anything about our priority list as consumers, it’s that we’re become unhealthily obsessed with our mobile phones.

Today, you can visit nearly any public setting – a park, school, restaurant, shopping mall, town pool – and see most of our youth on their cell phones.  Despite being with friends and family, they’re overcome by whoever is on the other side of their screens. With Americans sending an average of 3,339 texts per month, amounting to more than six texts every hour, we can’t help but imagine what everyone is constantly talking about.

Although it can be argued that texting helps introverts communicate or that it keeps teens out of trouble, I believe otherwise. For introverts, this is probably the majority of their social interaction, deteriorating their interpersonal skills. How can you learn to communicate with others when you’re hiding behind a screen? For teens, this means late-night texting, texting during family outings, and texting while driving, none of which have positive outcomes.

According to the Pew Research Center , 72 percent of teens text every day, with one-third sending more than 100 texts daily. Although parents may support texting because it keeps their child home and behaved, rather than roaming the streets, it also distracts them from family conversation and quality time spent. I’m sure that more than a handful of us have seen teens incessantly texting at the dinner table, ignoring conversation and passively escaping the situation.

But teens aren’t the only problem. Adults can avoid contact with a family member or unwanted suitor by ignoring their phone calls and sending a quick text instead. “Busy. Sry.” Not only is this rude, but it hinders our ability to handle certain situations, such as a family fight or rejection of an unwanted mate. Constantly hiding behind text messages only leads to avoiding important situations.

Although by nature, human beings have problems communicating , texting only worsens the situation. The only communication is via words and emoticons, which prevent friends from exchanging laughs, physically touching and learning general behaviors such as appropriate eye contact or personal space. You can be friends with someone for months via text and have extremely poor physical communication and body language upon meeting.

It’s true that for introverts and teens with strict parents, texting provides an avenue to get to know others. Wikihow.com suggests asking open-ended questions that illicit a longer reply. Specifically, the site says not to ask yes or no questions, such as, “Do you like pop music?” instead asking, “What are your favorite genres of music? ” But, wouldn’t it be more impacting to listen to music together? Or, learn what your friend’s favorite music is by spending time with him/her? These conversations can be meaningless without physical time spent to support them.

There’s no reason for text messaging to replace physical interaction or to invade in your encounters with others. Although it’s exciting to preoccupy one’s self with texts throughout the day, it’s better to physically leave the house and chat with a friend. You’ll get to know his or her habits and quirks – even simple details such as his/her clothing style. And if you’re using text messaging to meet a potential suitor, how can flat words be an indication of chemistry? Texting can only connect people to a certain extent, but beyond that, these fabricated don’t have much substance.

Rewrite of First Assignment – Excerpt from ICM 505 Essay, “America’s Youth, Romantic Relationships and Texting”

Overlooking my previous work, I was inclined to go back and rewrite some posts, using what I’ve learned so far. My greatest challenge is my wordiness, and I struggle between knowing when to use very sophisticated language versus more casual language (more conversational). Here’s the re-written post from our first assignment. It’s sure much easier to read, and I feel it flows a bit better. Input would be great!

Mobile technologies have begun governing how Americans interact. Rather than simply use a land-line phone or send handwritten letters, we communicate using devices no bigger than our hands. America’s youth currently overshadows all other demographics as the largest text messaging consumers (Drouin, Michelle and Carly Langraff). Since texting amongst our youth has become the social norm, it has impacted the course of friendships and romantic relations. Its prevalence even caused customs, such as proper emoticon use and lingo, to emerge. Since cell phones became ubiquitous, it has significantly impacted daily communication for Americas.

Today, 85 percent of adults own cell phones, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet Project (Brenner). An additional 80 percent of these owners claim to text on a daily basis (Brenner). Aside from the camera, “text messaging is the most common non-voice application Americans use on their mobile phones,” according to a September 2011 Pew Research Report (Smith). The most avid cell phone users, however, are the 18 to 24-year-old demographic, with 95 percent owning a phone and 97 percent of owners texting every day (Smith). According to the Pew Research Center, this demographic sends over 100 texts daily which translates “to more than 3,200 texts per month.” These numbers are twice the amount sent by 25 to 34-year-olds and 23 times the amount sent by ages 65 and older (Smith). With nearly all of our youth texting, the communication tool is now recognized as an acceptable way to socialize.

Younger generations, who were born in the midst of technological innovations, are accustomed to settling for the most convenient, fast-paced communication tools available. The popularity of texting lies in its combination of “email and instant messaging,” while simultaneously representing “a merging of written and oral communication modes” (Holtgraves). Even though texting shares similarities with email and instant messaging, its mobile capabilities offer “a written form of communication” that occurs “interactive in real-time” both of which appeal to younger consumers (Holtgraves).

Brenner, Johanna. “Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project.” Pew Internet:
Mobile. Pew Research Center, 4 Dec. 2012. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
<http://pewinternet.org/Commentary/2012/February/Pew-Internet-Mobile.aspx&gt;.

Drouin, Michelle, and Carly Landgraff. “Texting, Sexting and Attachment in College Students’
Romantic Relationships.” Computers in Human Behavior 28.2 (2012): 444-49. Academic
OneFile. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.<http://http://dx.doi.org.libraryproxy.quinnipiac.edu/
10.1016/j.chb.2011.10.015,>.

Holtgraves, Thomas. “Text Messaging, Personality and the Social Context.” Journal of Research
in Personality 45.1 (2011): 92-99. Academic OneFile. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
<http://http://dx.doi.org.libraryproxy.quinnipiac.edu/10.1016/j.jrp.2010.11.015&gt;.

Smith, Aaron. “Americans and Text Messaging.” How Americans Use Text Messaging. Pew
Research Center, 11 Sept. 2011. Web. 11 Dec. 2012.
<http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Cell-Phone-Texting-2011/Main-Report/How-
Americans-Use-Text-Messaging.aspx>.

Texting Can Improve Our Social Interaction

* I’ve always believed that text messaging erases the connection between people that can only occur with physical communication. Placing a cell phone between two people not only gives them unusual convenience when interacting, but it enables them to manipulate their interactions. My original argument for this piece would be that texting hinders social communication by allowing people to focus more on themselves than others. However, the reverse argument suggests that texting is beneficial because it allows us to set aside conversations and continue on with our personal lives.*

There’s no better tool to accompany the introvert than a smart phone. With their text messaging device in hand and an eye for avoiding phone calls, the introvert is keen at socializing through this pocket pal. After all, that’s nearly 50 percent of us, fully equipped with a socializing machine that doesn’t interrupt our personal lives.

If we ask one another why we prefer texting, the typical reply is, “Because, it’s easier.” And, it is. Unlike everyone else, these introverts benefit from avoiding unwanted phone calls by sending quick texts instead. Ok. Got it. Cya. If you’re looking to end a relationship, save the sobbing and send a text: “We r done.” If your mom asks you to make a pit stop for milk, just reply, “No.” If your girlfriend wants to come over and “talk” about her job, just type, “Can’t. Busy.” Enter those few words, and you’re golden. A superfluous conversation will never happen again.

For us introverts, this means that dodging the doorbell or wearing large sunglasses is no longer needed to secure our personal time. If your loved ones need you, they know that a text will find you.

Teenagers, introverts from strict parents, though not by choice, have already jumped on the bandwagon. According to the Pew Research Center, 72 percent of teens text every day, with one-third sending more than 100 texts daily. Parents support texting because despite the silent dinner table, their child is behaving rather than roaming the streets. Instead of hogging the house phone, grandma can call while little Jimmy sits in his room, silent. A whole generation of quiet, pleasant teenagers: what a revolution.

If we consider all the ways texting can improve our social skills, the list is endless. Never again is an embarrassing public argument needed. Simply quit the bickering, walk away, and text your friend from a distance. Instead of telling your brother he upset you, just ignore his texts. The world would be a much calmer, orderly place if we only followed these suggestions.

As human beings, by nature we have problems communicating. With all the colorful personalities in the world, it’s impossible to fully understand everyone, every day, at every moment. We may grow irritated, nervous or upset when a conversation goes sour. Why not avoid this discomfort by wedging a phone between you and your pal?

For us introverts and regulated teenagers, texting provides an avenue to get to know others. Wikihow.com suggests asking open-ended questions that illicit longer a reply. Specifically the site says, don’t ask yes or no questions, such as, “Do you like pop music?” but instead ask, “What are your favorite genres of music? ” A momentous conversation, like this, can spark without requiring you to leave the couch, finish a painting or exit the tanning bed – and most importantly, not intrude on “me” time.

Texting is a tool that can improve our social skills, as a nation. Rather than have lunch with a friend, save yourself the cash and gas by texting them for an hour. If you’re overcome with nostalgia, ask them to send a picture message. The conversation will seem just like the person is physically there with you. Especially ground-breaking for nervous parents, avoid the “birds and bees” conversation by texting your children instead. Even include a link or two to informative websites or info-graphics. You’ll grow closer to them by the minute.

Texting isn’t just for introverts or teens anymore. As a nation, if we’d only just text more and talk less, communication would be far more efficient, practical and enjoyable.

About Me

I sent my first text on my first flip phone in middle school.  As a young teen with strict parents, I didn’t get out much, so texting was my social life.  As a rebellious kid, I would stay awake until wee hours of the morning, texting and talking, hiding from my parents’ prying ears.  Old habits have since changed (luckily), but relying on my cell phone hasn’t.

The cell phone makes my life easier. As a recent graduate, I can text friends who live nearly anywhere. I can make plans while at work, the gym, the movies, even in the shower. The convenience level is ridiculous. But text messaging hasn’t just been Santa’s little helper in my life – in fact, it’s been quite the instigator.

I’ve fought with friends, lovers and parents, just from sending delayed or vague responses. When I’m upset with someone, I text passive aggressively, which only makes matters worse. I’ve had hundreds of arguments with a past romantic interest due to miscommunication that only occurred via text. But, the funny thing was that a lesson wasn’t learned. With each argument, numbers were never dialed, but heated texts continued for hours.

Only recently did I realize that texting lacks three essentials: tone of voice, eye contact and facial expression. How could a recipient know that “oh” meant “ohhhhhhhh” (as in “oh, I understand”) or “oh” (period), which our generation translates as fighting words? The haziness is constant, and we won’t ever be able to escape it.

Texting has been quite the troublemaker, at least for me. It’s ruined relationships, permanently. So, why go back to it? Simply put: because it’s easy.

These experiences are what drew me to delve more into this topic. Sure, it’s a tool we’re all familiar with, but are we aware of the aftermath? Ignoring friends surrounding us, getting distracted in class, swerving while driving – every day, texting squirms its way into these situations.

As part of this generation, everything I’ve researched and learned about texting was something I’d experienced firsthand. Something I can sympathize with and decode. Something I can imagine, because I’ve probably done it. Statistics and demographics can only have so much value if their meaning isn’t understood. With this topic, I can connect the numbers to my history of texting, for valuable insight with a personal twist.