"Advanced" Technology

If you are under 30, you will probably not understand this blog, but you should read it as it will give you insight into how the rest of the world views your generation.

I think it is possible we are raising a generation that will be totally incapable of communicating verbally. Megan would rather Facebook or text her friends than be with them. She has a boy that she "likes" that will absolutely not speak to her face to face. If he sees her in the hall at school, or at church, he runs the other way. Yet, she is convinced he "likes" her as well. I am baffled. We went out after a school sporting event with a family, Megan, and three other teens her age. One of the boys actually turned his back away from our side of the table just in case someone got the lame idea that he was available for conversation. I did tell one of the other adults it was almost like they were afraid to speak to each other out loud, and Megan was LIVID. How could I embarrass her in front of her friends? Really, her friends? The ones who wouldn't speak to her, who moved their bodies physically so as not to have to even look at her? Her friends? What am I missing?

I refuse to give into this phenomenon. Don't get me wrong, I like Facebook, and I'm ok with texting, but I would much rather be WITH a person, talking face to face. I have decided my children will have the ability to speak, even if it kills them and they hate me in the process. That means verbal words coming from their mouths. Facebook is gone, the cell phone is gone until I have some sort of confirmation that my children understand the importance of human contact. And until I am convinced they can spot RUDE when it is (here is where I was going to say, staring them in the face, but...) turning it's back on them (seems more appropriate.)

These new tools of communication are meant to bring us closer, but not to the point where we cannot or will not see the value in human contact and verbal expression. I think I am finally understanding Ken B.'s feelings regarding the printed newspaper versus the Internet. I just signed up for the Arizona Daily Star! "We must not be assimilated!"