Communication DB8
What is happening to communication in our culture? There seems to be an escalating need to communicate–to connect. But do Facebook, Twitter, texting and email meet that need? How effective is our communication? Before you send me a text suggesting I am down on technology, allow me to clarify. Technology is an invaluable tool. It allows us to communicate on our own time schedule, leaves a clean communication trail and is efficient. But does it enhance our ability to communicate in our personal relationships?
For example, much of our communication today is done via texting. When we text, words are reduced to their simplest form. We don't take time to craft a sentence; we go for brevity and even abbreviations. And after all, how close can you be with just 140 characters? Texting has become a language unto itself.
As an educator I have a number of concerns. To name a few: "Text speak" showing up in school papers, sexting, cheating, and escalating conflict issues.
Let's look at the latter which is conflict issues. Teens communicate things on line or texting that they would most likely not say in person. Electronic communication is void of emotion. Young people are not developing the ability to read body language, or social nuances; and social etiquette is often perceived as part of the "old millennium." Cyber-bullying is a growing epidemic. Researchers such as Nielsen Mobile report the growing number of teens communicating via texting. In fact, teens often prefer texting over talking even when they are in the same room.
The word "communication" has a rich history. The Latin communicare means to impart or share. The Bible abounds with verses on communication. "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." (Proverbs 17:27) "The tongue has the power of life and death." (Proverbs 18:21)
This same power of life and death exists in the written word as well, perhaps more powerfully because one can read it over and over again. How life changing would it be if we used the power of the word–logos--to encourage one another and build each other up…daily? (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
The questions I pose to you are as follows and I would enjoy your response:
- Do you see this trend in technology as something to be concerned about?
- To what extent do you depend on electronic communication via texting? Email? Tweeting? IM? Facebook? Other?
- Do you think this has enhanced your communication?
- Or has it reduced your ability to connect and communicate with others in person? In what ways?
- Are the tradeoffs worth it?
- Are you compromising your communication?
- What are your thoughts on the article "Why Twitter will endure"? (Points section of the Dallas Morning News on January 18)
- Oh, and how addicted are you to your Smartphone?
TTG JMO LMK WDYT? WWYC TU GBU
(And in case you don't know what I just ‘said', you may make a comment below.
and I will explain)
4 Comments
Sharifa Stevens
Raising My Hand
I am such a texting/grammar snob that I do write complete sentences when I text. And so I am raising my hand to say, I have no earthly idea what
Jody Capehart
Technological Interventions for the Hearing Impaired
Love your response, Sharifa. Thank you. The school principal in me thanks for you for
Dana Bailey
Keeping up
As a mother of 5, almost 6 teenagers with several more coming up behind I am just trying to keep up with them. I learned to text because they did. I got on Facebook because we let them get an account. I chose Twitter on my own. I quickly learned that to my teens & to young moms also, email is “old school”. What? I just figured that out!
Yes, in a way my communication with others has been compromised because if I can text them I will instead of call. If I can email instead of calling a meeting, I will. But, I still prefer the good old fashioned phone conversation. But, I also see it as a way of helping me accomplish more than I could before. I can reach more women across the world via Facebook & Twitter as I seek to encourage & minister than I could before. I use it as an Evangelism tool & am amazed at the results! As good as it can be, it can be abused & misused. Texting is not the appropriate way to have a heart to heart conversation with someone. Facebook wall is not the place to vent your feelings for a person, especially if they will read it. We can get so lazy in our communications with others that it can damage our relationship with them. There should be a giant warning label:”Warning! Use with discretion!”
And I don’t have a smartphone…at least I don’t think it is. :o)
Jody
I love your response, Dana.
I love your response, Dana. You are ‘right on’! If we want to encourage, evangelize, and equip women we need to connect in the ways they best communicate. I congratulate you for being responsive to your own teens as well as the women you serve. I know how busy you are with home-schooling 10 (!) children, heading up a big Mom’s ministry, writing a blog for Moms and much more. You’re right, young people don’t email anymore. Some universities have even taken that question off their applications. Interesting… The dinosaur in me finds I am so weary after answering all my e-mails that I am too tired to check Facebook. Perhaps I should do things in reverse order. Thank you, again, for the fabulous Mom2Mom conference in March.