| With the integration of wireless Internet on such | | | | experimental group into ‘talkers’ or |
| devices as the iPhone, Blackberry and | | | | ‘texters’ based on a qualitative analysis. |
| Google’s Android phone, the past few years | | | | They discovered that although the majority of |
| have seen an emerging phenomenon of 24/7 | | | | both texters and talkers preferred face-to-face |
| connectivity. However, research suggests those | | | | communication, over a quarter of the texters |
| who choose to correspond via email, text | | | | preferred texting – 4 times the number of |
| messages or social networks are prone to health | | | | talkers who preferred texting. Texters were also |
| problems and diminished professionalism, as a rush | | | | found to be more socially anxious and lonely than |
| to get a message across supersedes the need | | | | the talkers. |
| for human interaction. The key is to decipher in | | | | Embellish vs. Displace: |
| what circumstances technological advances are | | | | "Social networking sites should allow us to |
| necessary and in which we’re better off | | | | embellish our social lives, but what we find is very |
| without them. | | | | different. The tail is wagging the dog. These are |
| Short Text, Long History: | | | | not tools that enhance, they are tools that |
| Though the phrase ‘text me’ is now part | | | | displace." Dr. Aric Sigman, a biologist, has warned |
| of the lexicon of modern life, Short Message | | | | that a lack of human interaction paralleled with |
| Service (SMS) actually languished in technological | | | | innovations in technology could result in a range of |
| obscurity for more than a decade after the | | | | health problems, such as upset immune |
| concept was initially developed in the early | | | | responses, altered hormone levels, malfunction of |
| 1980’s. It was not until 1992 that the first | | | | arteries and a decrease in mental performance. |
| SMS was sent over a UK network and only by | | | | In the BBC article, Dr. Sigman also cited research |
| the end of 2000 did SMS texts become a regular | | | | in which face-to-face interaction has fallen |
| commercial feature for the majority of | | | | dramatically since 1987, signifying that modern |
| contracted users. As SMS quickly became an | | | | technologies are hindering the way we interact |
| ever more relevant method of communication | | | | with other human beings. Advancements in |
| with the average Joe, entrepreneurs and | | | | technology should enhance rather than diminish |
| professionals were presented with a toy of their | | | | our social lives. |
| own, the Blackberry. Combining the latest mobile | | | | Ease of access vs. Professionalism: |
| phone with a hand held computer, the blackberry | | | | The appeal of email and instant messaging still |
| gave workaholics access to their emails, office | | | | boasts an obvious answer - It’s free and |
| networks and documents, and made it possible to | | | | it’s instant. To avoid busy signals and high |
| conduct business from anywhere. | | | | phone bills, the internet provides a more |
| Health Risk: | | | | cost-effective way to interact with workmates, |
| A disturbing side effect of this increasing | | | | clients and within a personal context. However, |
| connectivity has been its effect on face-to-face | | | | these mediums simply cannot replace real phone |
| interaction. It has now become possible to | | | | conversations or face-to-face meetings in the |
| complete your commute without looking at | | | | workplace. A poll on Edutopia has also expressed |
| another human being, or attend a dinner party | | | | the concern of social media within an educational |
| having had fifteen simultaneous conversations | | | | environment: "As more and more students |
| with friends who were not actually there. | | | | immerse themselves in Textspeak over their cell |
| Professor Gayle Porter of Rutgers University led | | | | phones and computers, educators worry that |
| research that signified the health risks of such | | | | their writing skills are suffering. [...] There is |
| behaviour, outlining that 'addiction to technology | | | | concern that students who frequently express |
| can be as equally damaging [as chemical or | | | | themselves in abbreviations and smiley faces may |
| substance addictions] to a worker's mental health'. | | | | lose the capacity for more nuanced, grammatically |
| Talkers vs. Texters: | | | | correct writing." |
| Brand new mobile phones that include a plethora | | | | Put simply, a level of formality is needed to gain |
| of socially interactive technologies may also be | | | | trust in all three businesses, educational |
| contributing to the higher levels of anxiety and | | | | establishments and in individuals. Where businesses |
| depression amongst teenagers and young adults. | | | | cut corners on formal conversations, carelessness |
| In research conducted at the University of | | | | in quick correspondence could hinder progress in |
| Plymouth, Reid & Reid (2004) split an | | | | both our social and professional lives. |