Our Opinion: Does texting accentuate a failure to communicate?

News Tribune editorial

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Is the proliferation of texting sending us a message?

Some communications experts are concerned advances in communications and social media, ironically, are making us less social.

They fear how and what we communicate through electronic devices is devaluing face-to-face interaction.

A story in Monday’s edition — headlined “Is texting ruining the art of conversation?” — begins with an anecdote about a teen texting from her upstairs bedroom to her mom, who is downstairs.

The story goes on to explore what is characterized as a communications gap between talkers and texters.

Texting may be criticized as monologue that eliminates eye contact, discourages in-depth discussion and evades confrontation.

It also may be commended as an effort to initiate a dialogue in a courteous, non-interruptive manner that allows the other person to respond when convenient.

A problem with communicating through texting, some experts contend, is the conversations tend to be superficial.

Shallow conversation, however, is hardly confined to texting.

Meaningful dialogue about issues, thoughts and emotions is the exception rather than the rule.

Such sharing requires analysis, honesty and trust. Therefore, it is more likely to occur between close friends, rather than pop up as a text message or social media posting.

We believe if a communications problem exists, it is that texting may become a habit that is practiced instead of — rather than in addition to — talking.

Communication historically has ranged from meaningless blather to intense discussion. And it has been both written and oral.

Today, only the tools — and their prevalence — are new.

More like this story

TickledPink 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I think it can be a problem but I also see it as a potential positive. Sometimes it's easier to say something if you don't have the other person looking at you. I've known teens and parents who have instigated very uncomfortable discussions by starting off with a text. It's nonconfrontational and gives each person time to think of a response without feeling like they're being put on the spot. I have 2 teenage boys and we've all texted each other from across the house. It's replaced standing at the bottom of the stairs and yelling "Dinner's done!".

Sequoia 11 months, 2 weeks ago

The main communication breakdown I experience with emails and texts is that people's writing in those formats is often very abbreviated. Fragment sentences, snippets of a sentence that probably make perfect sense to the sender but not to the receiver.

Another problem is multiple forwards, where you can't tell who is sending a message to whom.

I had a real estate agent who conducted business via text. I found it very off-putting, because I usually had to end up calling to say "What does this text mean?" Sometimes it would be a message the agent forwarded from someone else. Well, maybe your text should tell me whose words I'm reading, eh?

I don't think text is very good for business use. Email is fine, if you write in complete sentences and put a little salutation and sign off, so readers can tell who is talking to whom. In a professional context, I expect messages that are written in complete sentences. Take a few seconds to read what you have written before you send it. Your reader will be glad you did.

TickledPink 11 months, 2 weeks ago

I agree that "text speak" has no place in a business, professional or school setting. That type communication between friends is acceptable and I think most kids know the difference but some definitely don't have a clue. I was an IT headhunter for a long time and I've seen beautifully done resumes but the accompanying email was so unprofessional that it immediately went into the "NO" pile.

I did communicate through text quite a bit with my realtor but she wrote with punctuation and correct grammar so it wasn't an issue.

Nothing will replace face to face communication and I don't see that going by the wayside. I'm sure similar discussions were had when the telephone was becoming more widely used. People are social animals and we need that real life human interraction to thrive.

gofish 11 months, 2 weeks ago

The instant responses and ability to send group messages has made it easier to dialog with people I might not otherwise "talk to", arrange face-to-face contact, and arrange group events. If most of your social group and peers also use text, it's a God send. If not, you are no more isolated than you already chose to be. I do agree however, that email in letter form is more appropriate for business use as you are creating a legal record of business transactions.

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