That's not communicating...

This is not my typical blog post but something that has been on my mind for a while.

I find it interesting when I hear people (particularly older people but not always) wax poetic about how kids now don't know how to communicate or relate in the real world. They look at texting, and Facebook, twitter, and other forms of social media with disdain and feel that the nature and quality of communication and relationships has taken a precipitous downward shift.

My thought is that, perhaps, it is them that does not understand the "language" of modern communication and relationship.

Some contend that we need to have "real" relationships not virtual ones. We need to speak real words not texted abbreviations that are bastardized versions of our languages.

While it goes without saying that some relationships need to be in person and some face to face communication is irreplaceable, we need to consider the value of technology in the evolution of communication and relationships.

For the very few challenges created by technology, the advantages that come from a small planet with more communication platforms is immeasurable.

Practically speaking, things like Facebook allow people, like myself, to stay connected to friends and family from my home town over 2000 miles away. With traditional methods of communication, I would not be able to connect with friends and family as quickly and easily (or so inexpensively).

I work in areas of sex trafficking prevention and I am able to connect and network with people from all over the world in real time. I am able to share stories and create awareness. I am able to build relationships - real relationships. Different but real.

In a recent personal crisis I went through, it was relationships with people that I had online, that were able to sustain me in the beginning.

People who support various causes or suffer from illnesses are able to find others that share their passion or their problems.

Think of what technology like Skype has done to revolutionize communication for military families.

For you to look at young people, who have texting as a resource for communication and judge that "they don't know how to communicate in the real world," is a judgment best not passed. They could just as easily contend that you don't know how to communicate and relate in today's world.

New communication methods are neither good nor bad. There can be good communication via text and bad communication via text just like some more traditional or conventional methods of communication.

Throughout time things change, cultures change and evolve. Technology allows for things not even imagined in other times. We need to embrace the good in the technology and understand how things like social media can create opportunities for communications, education, and awareness that would not have been possible before.

It is possible through Facebook for my daughter to maintain a friendship with someone from North Carolina that she no longer has physical access to. A relationship that in times past would likely have faded away.

Because of technology, it is possible for children in remote areas to connect with people. Because of facebook and social media platforms provided by technology, potential for learning, communication, and relationships in today's world are unprecedented.

It may not look like the way you did it. But, it is truly amazing and we should embrace it as such.

There are inherent dangers with access - but that is our chance to engage deeper in our new world. To become a part. To communicate. To relate.

Next time you hear someone rant in judgement over a young person who is texting, or relating to people on social media, patiently remind them of the advantages of such platforms that help to make the world a much better place.