Apple's New iPhone Is Out! Social Skills Continue Steep Decline.

There is more anecdotal evidence mounting about the impact of technology on the social skill sets of the younger generation.  Texting, email, and chatting are certainly convenient, and serve a wonderful purpose under the right circumstances, but they lack a lot of the social information that is important as we try to connect with one another.  Facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact,  body language,  visceral intuitive feelings, and other non-verbal communication that we, as human beings, use and need to understand each other better are missing and lack context.  Socially, it can become a significant obstacle to connecting with others accurately, deeply, and appropriately.  At its negative extreme, it can impact/distort self-esteem, mood, anxiety, academic and business achievement, and social functioning.  Don't blame Apple though, since technology is neutral.  What we decide to do with it changes the neutrality of its impact.  Let's also not forget that online communities empower people and help people connect socially, in a way that was impossible pre-internet.  You can be a quadriplegic, and, with the right augmentative communication devices, still be able to work, communicate, stay in touch with family and friends, get support, and a host of other things without ever meeting, speaking, or sharing the same space with someone else.

Let's also admit that people use technology to avoid "facing" people.  The text breakup, difficulty saying no in person, not wanting to deal with strong emotions felt when with/around others are all indications of a discomfort  with being able to tolerate and communicate feelings in a respectful, assertive, empathetic, authentic, honest, and direct manner.  The more we avoid, or if we never truly learn the skills to begin with, the harder it is to establish long-term meaningful and satisfying relationships.  When children become adolescents and young adults, it is vital that they learn about communicating feelings, needs, desires to another person, perhaps, someone with whom they may share the rest of their lives. Technology's impact may explain why clinicians report clients coming in with poor social skills and a diminished ability to establish healthy romantic relationships and why we see groups of young people sitting around a table at a restaurant more interested in the their screens than with their dinner companions.  "I'd rather instagram a photo of me appearing to have fun, than actually having fun with the people I went out with."

Please remember, when the tv was first introduced, society had to make radical adjustments, which are still happening today.  Technology is neutral, not inherently good or bad.  I believe it is in our best interest as parents, children, adolescents, and society as a whole not to lose insight into the value of a smile, the tone of voice we adopt, the sound of someone breathing, the furrow of a brow, the shy or knowing glance, the words we choose in the moment,  trusting our instincts about love or danger in close proximity of another human being, and the profound impact of experiencing ourselves in the presence of others.  Our brains get nourished by sharing our lives, not isolating behind barriers.  I'm not saying give up your smart phone, tablet, or computer, but feel free to  tell me if I get lost in mine and am not paying enough attention to you when we're together.