Recent developments in technology have helped people communicate more conveniently. The smartphone, for example, has many great features. You can call, send pictures, post comments on social media and send text messages. Texting, in particular, is extremely popular, especially with young people. However, like many things, if overdone or misused, texting can be harmful. The most obvious problem is texting and driving, of course. There are also social situations and venues that make it inappropriate for texting. However, many young people deny labeling their actions as unacceptable (Tulane and Beckert 379).
When young people become so dependent on their phones, texting interferes and takes away from closeness in relations. Reid Goldsborough, a scholar on information technology, states, “Media is causing more distance in relationships. Over-reliance on texting has a deleterious effect on social development.” (73). For instance, in social gatherings, aren’t their moments you realize that people are more interested in their smartphone than talking with you? It is very irksome. This supports the belief that texting limits direct and intimate connection with others, influencing negatively on social development (Ling and McEwan 13).
Dr. R. Vitelli, a psychologist who has studied the effects of texting, reports that when young people receive a text, they feel stressed when they cannot respond. Perhaps, they are in class or at formal gatherings. The urge to pick up their phone or text back is so high that it creates a socio-ethical dilemma; should they ignore the text or risk acting inappropriately? Many young people have also reported feeling disconnected when they are cut off from their cell phones, even for relatively brief periods” (Vitelli 1). It is therefore not surprising that most countries have sanctioned laws limiting the use of mobile phones while driving and institutions of learning demand that all cell phones be switched off during classes and other school events.
Some researchers claim that texting and social media use can even cause emotional problems and alter how young people feel about themselves. A recent research study done by Washington University in Virginia found, text messaging in itself could exacerbate the effects of interpersonal strain due to the energy and time demanded by a revolving social environment. The nature of such an environment results in greater awareness and overall cognitive load on an individual. Text messaging by itself may not automatically be the cause of all problems. However, students already going through interpersonal stress are already more vulnerable to the issues associated with addictive text messaging (Vitelli 2).
When young people develop meaningful social relationships, this has a positive effect on their well-being and confidence. We should understand that intimacy in social relations matures through developed and sustained mutual social exchanges (Pea et al 328). It is, therefore, clear that human beings require social relationships. More so, Pea et al found that spending time together in a face-to-face situation brings about positive social feelings.
Dr. Hyman, however, says that cell phone use has become the way that young people interact socially, and this is not a bad thing (Cell Phones are Changing Interactions). Nevertheless, when texting becomes a substitute for face-to-face interaction and learning, it creates a barrier to the development of more intimate bonds with others. Conclusively, even though texting has many benefits and can be fun, if it becomes a substitute for real-life communication, then I think its use has gone too far.
References
Goldsborough, Reid. “Texting As Social Regress.” Teacher Librarian 39.5 (2012): 73. Academic Search Complete. Web.
Hyman, Ira. “Cell Phones are Changing Interactions.” Psychology Today. 2013. Web.
Ling, Rich, and Rhonda McEwen. “Mobile Communication And Ethics: Implications Of Everyday Actions On Social Order.”Nordic Journal Of Applied Ethics / Etikk I Praksis 4.2 (2010): 11-25. Academic Search Complete. Web.
Pea, Roy, et al. “Media Use, Face-To-Face Communication, Media Multitasking, And Social Well-Being Among 8- To 12-Year-Old Girls.” Developmental Psychology 48.2 (2012): 327-336. Academic Search Complete. Web.
Tulane, Sarah, and Troy E. Beckert. “Perceptions Of Texting: A Comparison Of Female High School And College Students.” North American Journal Of Psychology 15.2 (2013): 395-404. Academic Search Complete. Web.
Vitelli, R. “Stress, Texting and Being Social.” Psychology Today. 2013. Web.