Pros And Cons Of Texting

The advancement of technology has revolutionized the way humans exist. From the innovation of medical technology to the further development of phones and computers, it has proven to be life altering in many aspects. While it is true that the advantages of modern-day technology cannot, nor should be dismissed, some of the disadvantages must as equally importantly be acknowledged. Although many argue the contrary, there are many reasons to believe that phones, and texting in particular, can and have resulted in a disconnect within families, friendships, and an overall disconnect with the world. Before probing into the cons, one must recognize the most favorable aspect of texting. The idea of being able to contact someone via text, whether next-door or on the other side of the world, is truly an amazing thing. Children these days seem to be getting cell phones earlier and earlier, if not only because parents love the idea of being able to reach their kids when they are at school, with friends, and so on; friends and family members are able to keep in touch without the hassle of making a phone call
or sending letters through the mail. These are just a couple of the many benefits that come with the nearly instant communication by way of texting, but just as with any good thing, there must come some pitfalls. One of the downfalls of the texting phenomenon is the way many seemingly view texting as a substitute for real life interaction. But why isn’t it an acceptable substitute? That question may be far easier to answer amongst baby boomers, for example, but the generational gap is evident once their answers are compared to those of younger generations. When texting was not around and cell phone usage was not as prevalent, people were “forced” to have conversations face-to-face; conversations that would almost certainly occur over text today. Even today, it cannot be argued that the important content that some conversations yield must be discussed in person. Is there ever a case where that is true of the contrary; where a conversation cannot be had in person, and must be had through text? Very seldom, if ever, is this the case. Moreover, texting allows people to portray themselves as someone different than they actually are.
Sherry Turkle, who is a professor at MIT in the science, technology, and society programs, alludes to such a fault in her essay entitled “No Need To Call,” in which she confronts the negative impact texting has on culture and highlights the common opinion that texting is preferential to phone calls. Turkle writes: “At the screen, you have a chance to write yourself into the person you want to be and to imagine others as you wish them to be, constructing them for your purposes” (374). There is a certain amount of authenticity that is required of people when they are speaking over the phone, and even more so in person. For some, texting exempts them, and therefore desensitizes them to such authenticity. This option of putting up a façade surely would not benefit
relationships. It is not a matter of whether or not technology will continue to grow; its evolution is inevitable. It is, however, a matter of how society adapts to such changes. Will people continue in their patterns of disengagement due to their engrossment in the digital world? Will the insincere guise that they have the option of operating under over text yield a more simulated people? It would be unfair to say that this is true for everyone, but one must regard these matters with thought and care, and question the potential effects that such changes can have on society as a whole.