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Speaking Point: Is the communication era bringing us closer together or creating more distant connections than ever?

Speaking Point: 70% of Americans send at least 1 text a day. Although teens are the biggest text users it is a growing trend for adults and even seniors.

Speaking Point: But does texting deserve a bad rap? There are advantages to it: (1) It’s a discrete mode of communication (appropriate in public settings like a waiting room); (2) It’s simple, and can be less time consuming than a phone call; (3) It can lend to more privacy than having a conversation that everyone can hear; (4) It’s not intrusive, you can send a message and not feel as though you are interfering in someone else’s busy schedule.

Speaking Point: What are the disadvantages? (1) DWT: Driving While Texting (one of the most dangerous behaviors associated with texting). (2) By discouraging conversation it may be impacting interpersonal skills and the ability to appropriately connect with others. (3) It is limited to 160 characters and lends itself to very informal communication and may encourage bad grammar. (4) It is feeding the notion that we need to be available to others 24:7.

Speaking Point: As with anything we approach in life, you may need to set some limits. Decide when it is and when it isn’t appropriate to text. A full blown conversation should not occur over the course of 40 texts; just pick up the phone and reach out and touch someone.

Speaking Point: Try to resist the temptation. It is assumed that when people partake in the deadly DWT it is not that they are initiating the conversation, they simply can’t resist the temptation to check out and/or respond to a text someone has sent them.

Speaking Point: Remember that your blackberry or mobile device is not necessarily a better companion or ‘side-kick’ than those around you. In the company of others, try to refrain.

Speaking Point: You made need to take a break from your mobile devise; try some down time if you are out on a hike or on vacation. You don’t always need to be available; try being available to yourself.