This is perfect timing because I just got a cell phone a week ago. People asked if they could text me and I said I wasn't sure that I wanted to. Then they all said it was very addicting and they would send hundreds a day! Someone was saying that they weren't sure if 10,000 text messages was enough every month. I was shocked and said I definitely didn't want any messages unless necessary because I really don't want to be addicted. Thanks so much for that post. I love your site!
Brittany | 06.28.06 - 1:45 pm | #

Hmmm... I guess I am not missing out on anything then. :)

Enjoyed the post, excellent conglomeration of the issue.
David Boskovic | Homepage | 06.28.06 - 2:07 pm | #

Cell phones seem to be taking over! I have one, but it's prepaid and only for emergencies. I think it's good for teenagers to have them if they need to work, and drive alone at night, go out with friends a lot, etc, but not to have attached to our ear. Thank you for your post!
Samantha | Homepage | 06.28.06 - 4:56 pm | #

Like many things, technology is not in and of itself bad, but it can be abused, and in this case, addicting. Let me see if I can intelligently answer some of these questions.

"How do we guard ourselves from using technology as a way to get away with sin, instead of as a tool to glorify God?"

I think this is something that each person has to decide for himself. Since technology only becomes a problem when misused, this is a heart issue that is very individualistic. In other words, if you have a problem, you may need to do something radical as a cure -- like only using the phone in emergencies. But if you don't have a problem, just keep yourself from having one, and more power to you.

"How do you think technology is changing the definition of "friendship" among young people today?"

Well, you could argue this both ways. On one hand, friendship seems unchanged; a true friend still stands by you in hard times, most "friends" are just chatter-mates you wouldn't trust with much. But on the other hand, technology has made everything so fast and easy, one wonders if "friendship" has not also been affected. People seem to spend more time talking to their many friends from school or church or work than ever before. Has the push-botton mind set affected relationships? Maybe. What do the other readers think?
A fellow soldier | 06.28.06 - 7:08 pm | #

Button. Not botton. Bother.
A fellow soldier | 06.28.06 - 7:09 pm | #

In one way, ubiquitous cell phone use decreases responsible independency: if you're always asking someone else's opinion, you won't make judgment calls on your own.

I don't use a cell phone, although my parents do. I've never had txting; I ran the IM run-around the last year I did debate, mostly to communicate with my partner who lived too far away to visit often. It became addicting, and I'm glad to leave it alone (as I'm sure you are too, Brett). Lonely people use IM like they do email to look for affirmation and companionship; they don't really want to give it unless it is necessary for the above goal, or to imitate the manners of others. The other time I've used it was when I spent a month teaching English in China, and welcomed real-time conversations with someone familiar (my family and a couple friends).

Forums (or should it be fora?) are useful when limited by subject matter. HSD is fine while you are competing in the league, as long as you keep a Christian spirit. To incessantly te controversy corners turns is a distortion of the perspective of the original forum... which was to facilitate preparation for speaking, not an end in itself.

However, the main danger of discoursing with unbelievers (or those like them) on matters of moral significance is not that you will assimilate ungodly ideas, although that does happen. The first and main danger is of tracing ungodly patterns of speech and heart. The ideas can be resisted by willpower and bullying. The attitudes are created by willpower and bullying. You can't win as long as these are your constant companions. The same thing goes for friends met in other conTEXTs. "...[Y]ou may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared." (Prov. 22:25)

Other purposes for communication make online messaging useful. My dad uses a Cabinet Makers Association forum to exchange tips for woodworking.

The advantage of letter-writing comes from having more time to think of what to say, learning to ask important questions, anticipating needs, and putting more thought into the words.
Read the diary of John Quincy Adams and the letters among his family while he was in his teens. http://www.masshist.org/exhibiti...bitions/ jqa.cfm
Nathan Straub | Homepage | 06.28.06 - 7:58 pm | #

I don't know what to make of this post, because technology is great and I don't think I have anything against cell phones, but teens are irresponsible, and I don't think taking away their cell phones and/or texting abilities will make them any more mature.

Smartening them up has nothing to do with modifications in technology, so complaining about cell phones and texting really is pointless because it's definitely not going to go away.

But you did raise some good points. I love being on the train with some friends, looking beside me to see one of them being completely anti-social to the rest of the group, texting away to some other friends or her boyfriend. Very annoying.
Emily | Homepage | 06.28.06 - 11:08 pm | #

It is annoying to be with someone who is conversing with someone who is not even in the room.

Cell phones are a great tool, but they are being used too much. It is a good thing to have some space from your friends, so that you can appreciate time spent with them and focus on them when you are with them.

I think technology does affect friendship. I appreciate receiving a letter more than an e-mail simply because I know they took the time to choose the stationary, write the letter, address it, put a stamp on it, and send it. It shows that they care.

I do not have any experience with having a personal cell phone, texting, or IMing, but I think its misuse depends on the person. Some people may be able to use it wisely and with self-control. Others should be removed from the source of addiction. It depends on their priorities.
Elizabeth | Homepage | 06.29.06 - 10:36 am | #

I've just posted a further response on my blog.
Nathan Straub | Homepage | 06.29.06 - 12:20 pm | #

good post. my dad got me a cell for working but he didn't pay for txt messaging for me. If it is iportant my friends can call me otheriwse e-mail me and i'll reply within a few hours. Im'ing can be very addicting though. And it can be very bad if you use it for the wrong purposes, like anything else. I had it but when I was starting to be on it for 3-4 hrs a day it wasn't good...so I stopped talking to anyone but family members.
abby berg | Homepage | 06.29.06 - 1:05 pm | #

Excellent post, guys. Overall it's pretty sombering, but I had to laugh at this paragraph:

"It's too complicated to send e-mail," explains 14-year-old Jennica Paho of San Jose, "I have to go in and type it, and send it, then wait for a reply."
Derek | Homepage | 06.29.06 - 7:16 pm | #

I would like a cell phone that does what its supposed to do: one that just makes phone calls. Its nice that technology allows us to fit a thousand extra things on a phone like texting, wireless internet and such, but its terribly annoying (and distractingly addictive).

When did I figure out text messaging became too much? When I caught myself texting people from work just because I was bored. So, my work suffered because I wasn't paying attention.

As for technology in general, I almost feel like my life is being run by it. Everyone I know, including myself, is obsessed with being on or around a computer or a computer-run device.

Computer related communication is nice for those who live long distances away from each other. But when you're instant messaging or texting a person who is your next door neighbor--or even your college roommate who's sitting 3 feet away (and yes, I've seen this happen)-- its simply ridiculous. I'm noticing a serious lack in face to face, honest conversation. My grocery market even went as far recently to put in a self check out computer system so that the customer can "quickly" check out without having to speak to a cashier.


Technology is a wonderful thing. But the question really is---Is our generation currently absuing the power of advanced technology or are we using it in order to aim for a better future? I think we could all do some really great things which would benefit the future of this planet, but I fear that not everyone will see that in time.
Caiti | Homepage | 06.29.06 - 9:49 pm | #

Like many of the readers here, I've know that a lot of young people I know text message all the time. Maybe for some people that is a great thing and a good way to build relationships.

However, I find it very frustrating to try and talk to someone who is typing a conversation with someone else while trying to talk to me. I find that a lot of this texting happens during class when we're supposedly to be listening to the prof. Personally, I've sent maybe two text messages ever mostly because it costs money.

I do think that technology changes friendships. I did IM for a while, but it quickly became like too much sugar--sickening. For reasons I don't understand, deep, thoughtful conversations mostly didn't occur for me on IM. I made the mistake of IMing one friend and email so much that I think it had a negative effect on our friendship.

With a couple of my friends now, I don't even want to give them my email because I feel that might ruin our relationship. I don't IM. Call me. Talk to me. Take the time.

I don't think technology is inherently evil, but there's something to be said for in person relationships. Granted, that isn't always possible. The other problem with email and text messaging is the ease with which a person can misrepresent themselves. The way a person seems on email is a lot different than in person. In email, I can edit my sentences until they're perfect. The other person might never hear a "gut" response of me. What I am really like? Who knows?

As I say this, I'm aware that I'm posting a comment on a blog, and that I will check this post over for mistakes before publishing. But, I'm not depending on this blog as the sole source of my relationships. It's a tool for discussion and information.
Sarah | Homepage | 06.30.06 - 7:01 am | #

These were all great questions...but this one especially struck me:

"Where do you think the balance is between using technology to be more effective for God and wasting time, and possibly, energy and brain cells?"

Whatever we do should be done to glorify God. So the question to ask, it seems to me, when determining whether it is "effective for God" or whether it's a time-waster is to simply ask: "Does this action glorify God?" (Or put more simply: "will this make my Lord smile, and make Him look bigger to those around me?").
Kristi | Homepage | 06.30.06 - 7:21 am | #

I think that all this advanced communication technology is a blessing. I think its great to have digital everything. All the more responsibilities you have to uphold.
Seth | Homepage | 06.30.06 - 8:48 pm | #

I have to say I really appreciate technology. The convenience of writing an email, making a quick call while on the go, the ability to create a blog that can encourage hundreds, the ease of reading it nomatter where you are--all these are things that I am very grateful for. But like everything else, technology can be misused, and it is perhaps easier to do that now than ever before.

I have never used text messaging, (I don't own a cell phone) and I rarely use IM anymore because I've found that (with exceptions) it is so prone to promote mindless chatting. Too often it is a relationship and popularity game, full of cool catch-phrases and artificial personallity that is devoid of any real meaning.

I think cell phones, and text messaging in perticular have definitely created new vulnerabilities for people, especially teenagers, in that they can take their popularity games and fake, or harmful, relationships with them wherever they go now. But...

As Christians, we have great liberty within the boundaries of God's law. We can own cell phones, computers, have internet access and even IM and text messaging, as long as we use them wisely. The purpose of everything we do shold be to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, and there are difinitely ways that technology can help us to do that. :D
Heidi Bentley | 07.02.06 - 1:23 pm | #

Thanks for the reminder!
That is precisely what teenagers need to hear these days.
Here in the Philippines, everyone has a cellphone. Even little kids, starting ages 7-8 have cellphones. And everywhere I go, I see someone holding a cellphone.
Even if I have my own cellphone, I don't generally text millions of people everyday - parents' rules (and a good thing too! :)).

I believe teenagers are too addicted to texting and IMing. Our pastor asked two Sundays ago, "What do you touch first thing in the morning - your Bible or your cellphone?" You see, most of the teenagers register for the "unlimited promo" (which allows them to text their friends for 24 hours with no end).

And teenagers today confuse the term "textmate" with "friend." Especially here...where dialing a random number is so common.

I do hope teenagers will see what the "dangers" of technology before it is too late.
Alyssa C. | Homepage | 07.04.06 - 4:19 am | #

How do you think technology is changing the definition of "friendship" among young people today?

I've found technology, like IMing, to often deepen friendships much faster than in real life. You can be open and have conversations that are sometimes hard to have face to face, especially for shy people. You can proofread. You can change what you want to say before you say it.

Because I've taken so many distance learning classes, I literally have friends all over the US. Most I have never seen and mainly know through IM. Last week I got to meet one of my best friends face to face for the first time! It was very cool!

But like warned in other comments, it can be very addicting and quickly become sinful for someone. Kind of like a sharp knife--handy but deadly. Parents are great for accountability even when you don't ask. :-)

All this to say I think I'm more on the unusual side. "Friendship" in general today is more like my definition of "acquaintance." So for it to form on IM, when many don't go beyond the "I went shopping and fed my dog today" conversations, is probably more harmful than beneficial.
Lydia T. | 07.13.06 - 9:54 am | #

Thank you so much for your post on cell phones. I have totally noticed the insane use of them among my peers and it really gets on my nerves. I have a pre-paid cell phone that has texting on it, and I must admit, I do like to text. I honestly don't think that it would get addicting for me, because most of my friends don't have a cell phone. Technology is a great tool, when used for the right reasons. I personally love e-mail, it's so much easier to express myself through writing than talking on the phone.

However, the use of cell phones has gone to an extreme. The main reason I have mine is in case I have to call my mom when I'm out with friends. Texting and cell phones has definetly changed the definition of 'friendship'. Just because you have a person on an address list and occasionaly text them doesn't mean they're a true friend. That's just my opinion though.

Anyway, thanks so much for this post, it really made me think. In fact, thanks for the whole website, I really like it!
Candice | 08.05.06 - 3:23 pm | #