Technology and Communication

Lately, I've become rather irritated with how people communicate via technology--mainly texting and Facebook. It appears as though many people are struggling to communicate without the barrier of a cell phone or computer to "protect" them when resolving a conflict in particular.

Do not get me wrong, I am perfectly fine with having conversations with someone about plans for the night, to see how a friend's day is going, wishing someone good luck on an exam, or simply just catching up through text messaging or through Facebook. However, I am not okay with someone trying to solve an issue or conflict with someone or arguing through either of these means of communication. Personally, I think technology is great and it is something that I use every single day. It is up to each individual person to use it appropriately.

Ask yourself this: How do you resolve conflict? If text messaging, Facebook, or posting a status targeted at someone came to mind, in my opinion you are handling your conflicts both poorly and negatively.

Technology is destroying the way we communicate in a negative way. When we are faced with a problem, we need to be mature about it. Pick up the phone and call that person. Or schedule a time to meet for lunch to talk about it. Do not resort to a cowardly way out by hiding behind the face of technology. By doing this, it feels okay to say mean things and we say things we would not normally face-to-face.

My whole point with this blog post was to get you thinking about how you handle conflict in your own life. Become the bigger person, do not give in to someone who may try to use technology as a means of communicating to resolve conflict. Force him or her to sit down face-to-face or pick up the phone and call that person.

The conflict will not become as messy, it will be resolved sooner, and things that we wish we could take back will not be said.