Tim Churchill

PROS CONS

Can reach anyone, anywhere, anytime

Skype, email, cell phone all connect us around the world

More productive-talking on phone with Mom while emailing Grandma

“Why didn’t you answer your phone”?

More resources means less effort- Written Letter VS Email

Face-to-Face communication eliminated

Spending time with family?

"My BlackBerry goes beside my pillow," said Colleen DeCourcy, chief experience officer at JWT New York. "It is my alarm clock. It is my source of news. It is my calendar and my way of knowing what's happening with the two people who run my world- my daughter and my assistant.“

Females, more than males, reported feeling more comfortable using SITs (text messaging and online social sites only) rather than talking with others face-to-face.

Texting While Driving

Started out as a light hearted joke by psychiatrist Ivan Goldberg in 1995, but ideas support today’s society.

A maladaptive pattern of internet use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested by the following: Tolerance defined by markedly increased amounts of

time on internet to achieve satisfaction. Withdrawal symptoms: anxiety, obsessive thinking about

what is happening on the internet, fantasies or dreams about internet, voluntary or involuntary typing movements of the fingers.

Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of internet use.

Ebscohost search: “Technology” “Face-to-face” “Anxiety”

12 out of 13 articles explained how to use technology as a way to communicate without face to face communication.

Takes away anxiety from shy people, but how does it better our society? Do we want individuals who have zero social skills?

Is Technology Changing our Brains?

Hold a contest: Who can go longest without their cell phone?

Test individuals based upon age, sex, economic status

Allowed time to let friends and family know they will be away from their phone.

Videotape project to witness reactions and attitudes.

One hour, one day, one weekend, one week surveys

Technology is not bringing us closer to family

Too much usage is explained as “keeping in touch” with family, friends, outside world, etc.

Excessive technology use when in same room as others.

While it helps with quick conversations, gives me a sense that real conversations are less important because “at least I texted everyone”. Ex: Happy Thanksgiving Text message to all relatives.