Undoubtedly, the invention of cell phones was one of the best yet. They come in handy in the worst of situations. Imagine your car breaking down on the side of the road, only to not have any way of getting in contact with someone to come help you. I love my cell phone, and I’d be lost without it. I know instantly when I don’t have it, and I can’t picture not being able to contact someone instantly. But while cell phones certainly keep us connected in every sense of the word, I do think that they are hindering the most important type of communication that involves direct physical contact with people.
You may be thinking: how can cell phones hinder face to face communication. It’s not that hard to communicate with someone when they are standing right there in front of you. No, it’s not hard to communicate with people when they are standing right there, but some people to have trouble with it, especially if they are so wrapped up with their cell phones. What it all comes down to is that you can become so preoccupied with cell phones that you might neglect the person standing right there? You might want to defend yourself and say that that would never happen, but the truth is that you may not even know that you’re doing it.
How many times have you stopped to talk to someone and pulled out your phone mid-conversation to check a text message? How many times have you stopped to talk to someone and pulled out your phone mid-conversation just to check your email? How many times have you stopped to talk to someone and pulled out your phone mid-conversation to play a game or use an app? It seems rude, and it is. But I bet that it also seems familiar to you. We’ve all done it, even if we don’t mean to. It’s a common occurrence, and one of those things we just don’t think about when we do it. I know that I try my hardest to not pull out my phone when I’m having a conversation, and being more mindful helps. I know that I find it annoying, so I try not to do what I find annoying too.
I don’t want to live in a world where people only communicate through technology. If you need to talk to someone in the next room, you shouldn’t send them a text message just to avoid going to talk to them in person. It’s even gotten to a point when people break up over text message; I don’t know if it’s just me, but that’s just wrong. Do not lose the ability to communicate in person. It’s important to keep that skill alive and well, especially because it’s necessary to be able to function in the real world. You need to be able to communicate during a job interview or a meeting. I doubt you’re future boss will let you interview over text message. And I also doubt you’ll get the job if you pause the interview to check your text messages either. Just remember phones are great; but just be sure to use them wisely.
