How Mobiles Have Changed Communication

Mobile phones have become such natural components of daily life that it’s a wonder how anyone got on without them. Leaving one’s phone at home causes instant panic, whereas before cell phone technology people would go hours and sometimes more without constant connection with loved ones, business associates and the internet. The changing times offer much greater ease of communication. Though advancements in technology are causing more than a few regressions in the ways people converse face-to-face. So much about today’s tech gadgetry is simply fantastic. Yet all mobile users should be aware of some potential pitfalls.

The Need for Speed
Really it’s e-commerce that’s to blame for this one. Access to shopping 24/7 has become so ubiquitous that it’s challenging to realise that the same standard should not be expected to be held by independent and smaller businesses. It is simply not feasible for companies with just a few employees to be on call 365 days a year. Yet such ease of access to other companies makes it challenging to remember these are real humans one’s dealing with and thy deserve a day off, too. So if you’ve ever sent an email on a Sunday and gotten aggravated at the lack of same-day response, this is one of the negative repercussions of modern technology. Slow down, take a break and give others a break. Just as you’d like to get away from it all sometimes, remember that so do others.

Talking in Text
Texting is a brilliant method for short missives. However, such staccato bursts of communication are not suitable for conversations that could easily be misconstrued or contain deeper emotional content. In addition, rampant texting is affecting the way people write longer letters, particularly in regards to teens and spelling. It is also starting to affect the way people speak to one another. The limitations of the medium make it perfect for giving a quick update to a friend, yet shortened communications in longer form letters or face-to-face easily come off as curt and should be treated with far more care than texts. As future generations are raised with the technology communication will be affected further still.

Less Descriptive Dialogue
Before mobile Web browsing, phones with cameras and various social media platforms people were required to have longer attention spans and more descriptive dialogue. Think of how many times a forgotten piece of trivia or someone’s name required, you really need to think about to remember; all that’s required is looking at a smartphone before trying to pull the memory from the recesses of the brain. The same holds true for descriptive dialogue. When once a person might need to go into detail describing a person or place, now photos and factoids are all at hand. Instead of engaging in conversation and utilising descriptive phrasing, most conversations are foreshortened by saying, “Well here, let me find a picture.”  The changes in conversation may be less noticeable now but it will most certainly be seen to greater affect in younger generations. To help combat diminishing communication and memory in children play games with them that require short-term retrieval and enhanced word-play.

Dining Taboos
Today’s technology has made it common practice to keep the phone at hand, even whilst dining with others. Though now pervasive, it is still a major breach in basic courtesy. Constantly looking at one’s mobile whilst with others says that everything and everyone else is more important than the person with you. Such behavior is particularly rude when dining. Attention is divided at best or completely dismissive at worst. When taking time to sit with someone face-to-face, put the phone away whenever possible. Enjoy the rare moments of getting together with friends.

Today’s smartphones help keep friends and family better connected than ever before. Well the technology can—but it’s all in how it’s used. Mobiles should help facilitate effective communication, not diminish it. Use the handy gadgets yet don’t let their widespread appeal become more enticing than personal interaction and courtesy your nan can be proud of.