The world has dramatically changed since I was a child. I remember rotary phone and phone booths that took .25 cents to make a phone call. Remember those days? Well with technology, DVRS, cell phones and now smart phones, I have an issue with the effects of some of the technology on a psychological basis. Let me explain. Texting was useful to contact spouses or family during the work day with pertinent info. Now unfortunately I see some things that are disturbing. I now receive texts from clients' supposed family and friends making comments and questions about my clients. Why is this an issue? I can't guarantee that is the person claiming to be who it is and I never hear the voice. I meet many client's family and friends. By law I need a release of information (signed consent) to share clinical information. If you need to contact me do me the honor of calling me and telling me what is going on so I can make a judgement call as to whether or not you are who you say you are. If you do text and ignore my request, I will send a message saying call me. Be prepared for that.
Second comes dating, we have have such need for intimacy, I see many people driving their spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend up a wall by over texting and using that to substitute for normal day to day interactions such as a visit, date, walk or friends night over starting from Teens to adults. I recently had a client admit "My most intimate relationships are thru texting, and I never have met this person." I have issues with this: such as who are you talking to and how do you unless you skype and see the person inperson and hear the voice. Technology has made it easier to be a coward and never face those life defining moments such as doing a breakup face to face or telling difficult info to a friend face to face the manner in which it should be done. We have lost our personal touch, our warmth, compassion, grace to face the bad news all because AT&T now give us phones so we dont have to. Is that such a good idea? Am I the only one who objects to how our society is going?
Another problem is children texting other children at night when supposedly they are in bed. If I were a parent, I would remove the phone from my child, explaining there needs to be some family time so we are connected and the outside world has to wait. That is a healthier approach to parenting and boundaries than letting your child run wild and contact whomever without your consent. Agreed? I hope so.
I value the help technology and texting gives and the strides it has achieved in helping people feel connected and communicate but I think we have allowed the rules regarding this to be taken to an extreme. One which I dont agree with and wonder how this will affect our social lives.