As we settle in for our Sunday night ritual of watching The Walking Dead, I was reminded of a recent photo I’d seen of millennials walking along, all glued to their phones.
It’s a topic I’ve been meaning to address on my blog, share my thoughts and hear yours, as many feel the “smartphone addiction” is killing personal interaction. Ever since the advent of social media and smartphones, it’s become extremely easy to get sucked into the steady stream of information coming from a number of channels.
It’s a blessing and a curse. As someone who has embraced and studied social media, I feel that I’m more in touch than I’ve ever been. More informed on current events as well as keeping up with friends and family. My circle of friends has grown exponentially, and no longer has geographical boundaries. The almighty Google is now at our fingertips as we search for answers to anything and everything. The opportunity for learning has exploded.
I don’t think people realize just how it enhances communication. Not everyone is a “people” person. Not everyone likes to talk on the phone. What may seem isolated on the outside, is someone more tuned in than anyone realizes. This technology has opened up the worlds of those that don’t crave personal interaction.
Sure, my husband and I are the couple you see at dinner, looking at their phones. But what we’re doing is looking up and sharing what we’ve discovered during the day. We often share links via text as we come across various pieces of information. We do talk! We have more to share and discuss now than ever before.
What are your thoughts?