Cell Phones and Our Children

In our world of instantaneous gratification, instant messaging software has revolutionized the way we communicate. From computer programs, to SMS text messages, to social networking chats, the way people talk across the globe is ever evolving into a digital network of endless messages. Although it is easy to promote the unending advantages granted by using technology to communicate instantaneously, the effect of social unawareness must also be monitored.

The use of electronic devices to communicate feelings and situations is limited by basic text and the occasional emoticon smile. It is not possible to convey one's unique feelings over such technology in a way that humans can with face-to-face contact. Even an actual telephone conversation where one can hear the tone of voice can offer more insight into the meaning of expression than a simple combination of black words on a white screen. Through the process of e-communication, as it has come to be called, society has been numbed into somewhat senseless beings that are less reactive to emotion and expression.

While the advantages are notable, the chilling effects of over reliance upon text-based communication are ever-present. As the sheer number of instant messages increases with each passing hour, less and less person-to-person contact occurs. As we continue to place greater usage upon these message networks, we must be careful to maintain a healthy level of physical interaction to ensure a balanced social and mental state of life.

The problems with such methods of communication do not lie within the ease of use or sheer convenience of the method, but rather in the loss of actual relationship building. It is easy to send a friendly e-message and pretend to be something you are not. The generic "LOL" (meaning laugh out loud) serves as the basic response to all statements that would generally not trigger a verbal response in person. The way we interpret text-based messages is highly vulnerable to misunderstandings and false conceptualizations of the attitudes of our peers. It becomes necessary to take all communication with a grain of salt and rely later on face-to-face contact to ascertain true meaning.

The late 90's generations (today's teenagers) are most effected by this chilling of the sensations. As the cellular telephone gained its popularity in the late 90's and early 2000's, these children were growing up in the evolving world of mobile telecommunications. The "old way" of communication was quickly diminishing as the undeniable wave of cell phones quickly gained fashion. The general sense of how once expressed themselves was in a state of limbo as the generation gap quickly built over time. Now, in our market that is dominated with cellular communications and marketing, the effect of this lifestyle is