Mobile technology makes for mediocre company

Once upon a time, about six or seven years ago, when texting and iPods started becoming really popular, I read a study that said college students were much less social due to technology.

I don’t remember exactly what it said, but I do know that it came out at about the same time that my sister and I both received our first iPods. It was a joyous occasion, even though we couldn’t figure out how to get music on them for a few days. There was still the arcade game “Brick” to play, though.

However, during the months before Christmas as we begged our family for one of those miraculous little machines, I recall my mother saying things about how iPods would make us less social.

If we constantly had our headphones in, how would we make friends?

It was also at about the same time that I got my first cell phone.

I was restricted to 250 text messages, which honestly I didn’t often use; however, it was another one of those ideas that texting would make me anti-social (plus it was expensive).

The whole idea that technology made people anti-social didn’t exactly sink in for me until just the other day when I passed two people talking on their cell phones, two more people with ear buds stuffed into their ears, and another three people staring down at their thumbs which were working wildly on their phone keyboards.

Now, don’t get me wrong, when I am on the run between classes and have to ask a quick question, I will pull out my phone and shoot a quick text. Sometimes it just has to happen.

However, I feel that perhaps that study that I read what seems like forever ago, is more true than ever. People are dependant on texting and Facebook to keep up with people.

Instead of spending an hour texting your friend who lives all the way in Lincoln, why not pick up the phone and call that someone?

Just think about it. When was the last time someone from a class smiled at you, looking like they may have wanted to talk to you about something, but you couldn’t because you were jamming out to Usher on your iPod?

The last thing I want to do is sound like my family when I’m texting someone: “Sara, seriously, stop texting. Why can’t you just call your friend?” But I have to admit, it’s a valid point.

Humans are meant to be social. If our social lives are trapped in our quick moving thumbs, we’re probably moving in the wrong direction.

So, is technology ruining everyone’s abilities to be social?

I think that may be a little radical. I mean, I believe texting is an excellent tool, especially if you’re constantly on the run, and need to just let someone know that you’ll meet them later, or need to make sure that your lab partner brings her notes to class.

And I love my iPod. The sweet sounds of Usher are great when I’m walking to class; however, the next time you’re in the cafeteria with no one to sit next to, try sitting with a new group instead of in the corner with your iPod.

Or, the next time you need to talk to your best friend in Lincoln, dial those numbers and hit the call button, instead of the send text button.