Communication is an essential part of life. We use it almost every day. Whether it be by talking in person, texting, or even using a social media platform, the way we communicate has changed dramatically throughout the years. Smartphones and personal computers have made it so much easier and faster to communicate, for it’s much simpler and done from anywhere compared to writing a letter or hanging out with someone. For instance, how often do you talk on the phone to someone or even listen to voicemails?

Smartphones are useful in many cases, but it has changed the way we speak face-to-face exceedingly. Many consider that we’re in an age where people are unable to have real, deep conversations face to face. Most would rather have their conversations deep in iMessage or over Snapchat thank person. In fact, our generation is accused of being some of the primary individuals who are scared of the face-to-face contact. Sophomore Evan Mallon completely disagrees with this saying, “While technology is beneficial face to face, communication is a lot better.”

Sadly, these amazing devices that give us the internet and so much information at our fingertips have exceedingly changed the way we speak to one another, and it’s even altered our confidence in many ways. Think about the last five times you had a serious conversation with your friends, significant other, etc. How many were over texts and how many were in person? Our generation gets a lot of flak for tons of issues, and most don’t have merit. However, the smartphones tend to have an element of truth.

Smartphones have changed the way we speak in person drastically. People rarely communicate in person anymore, and it’s sad. When you talk face-to-face, you understand the person your speaking to better. For example, you can read their body language, facial expressions, and hear their tone of voice. You know what he or she is saying and how they feel much better. You can also be there for them in ways you cant be over the phone. For example, you can give someone who is upset about a breakup a big hug and say it’s going to be okay with a soothing tone of voice; or, if someone just won their first basketball game, you can give them a pat on the back with a huge smile and an excited tone of voice. All of these aspects found while speaking to someone are entirely lost in texting. Over text, you only have words and the way you interpret them. What you take from the message depends on how you read it to yourself–not exactly how someone might have meant their words to come across. Conversations in person avoid miscommunication and arguments.

If someone texted you, “you’re so slow,” you could read it in a rude tone of voice and think they are rude, but actually, they said it was laughing and as a joke. You can’t tell from the text what the intention was. This happens very often and can start unnecessary arguments that could be avoided if you are speaking to he or she face-to-face. Moreover, emojis are very common and can help understand the person’s meaning in their text. Although, sometimes these too are also misinterpreted. I know that I can be sarcastic and dry with my friends, but even then, the jokes might be lost because a text just can’t show everything in a sarcastic comment.

Phones can also affect relationships as well. Many times when I go out to see I might see a couple sitting together and instead of having a nice conversation together, they are both on their phones. Phones can also start arguments if one person is on their phone and the other is just sitting their not doing anything. Its rude and disrespectful and he or she may get annoyed. Then again, phones can
help when you are away from each other providing you with a source of communication no matter where you are, but when you can speak to your significant other in person use it. Just enjoy the time you have with your significant other by talking and sharing stories. That way you grow together and learn more about each other too.

In the end, smartphones have changed the game for us. We can learn so much more about the world around us, and we can do better in school with the help right at our fingertips. At the same time, the consequence is that we’ve lost the ability to communicate face-to-face and speak what is actually on our minds cause were afraid of the outcome. I’ll leave it up to you guys here at Wheeler, but I think I’m going to spend a little less time on my phone…and less time talking to
people face-to-face.