Roman Catholic bishops in Italy have asked Catholics to give up text messaging and Twitter on Fridays during Lent to demonstrate the importance of real relationships over virtual ones.
Given the ‘virtuality’ of God, it seems a bit ironic (even as a Christian) that church officials would highlight the importance of face-to-face relationships. Nevertheless, it’s still a good idea to reflect on the negative impact that texting can have on family, friends and good habits. Texting promotes rudeness.
My Twittering habit is on the rise. My 12-year-old daughter’s network of text-thumbing friends is growing. And, the quality of the time we spend together (and with others) is affected. When a phone vibrates, rings or Tweets, it requires unwavering discipline for us to continue conversations already in process.
We waver.
Five years ago, I purchased an iGo, one of the first WAP-enabled devices that made it easy to text, email and instant message on the go using pager technology. I purchased my IGo during the apex of instant messaging when everyone was discovering Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, AOL messenger, and other IM platforms for the first time. After two weeks, I had to get rid of the iGo for personal safety reasons.
I was an undisciplined menace.
A timeless editorial by Joni Balter of the Seattle Times captures a common scenario well. “Parent and teen are driving somewhere, or two teens are driving somewhere, and in either case, one is sending and receiving a couple thousand text messages. Because they can.” That’s why schools ban cell phone use during the school day, governments ban the use of cell phones while driving, and my wife implements a ‘put the phone away’ policy at home.
Before I head out for church today, I’ll take the opportunity to share these ten commandments for texting:
- Retain common courtesy. Texting during a face-to-face conversations is rude.
- Remember that texting is informal. Don’t use it to end a relationship or communicate a serious problem.
- Don’t get upset if you don’t get an immediate reply.
- Be aware of your tone. A completely innocuous text message can be grossly misinterpreted.
- Don’t SMS while you’re driving.
- Leave the slang to the kids.
- Don’t text anything you wouldn’t say
- Be conscientious of others’ schedules.
- Don’t text in the bathroom. Someone is sitting in the stall next to you thinking “Eew!”
- Every phone has an off button. Don’t be afraid to use it.
When I’m at church, I’ll have a moment of silence to honor all the good conversations that died prematurely when I pulled out my cell phone. I’ll ask for forgiveness and try to live the 10 texting commandments.
And for Lent? I’m giving up sweets.
Daddy needs his Tweets!
Texting and Teen Safety
Texting kills and injures teens each year. My employer, American Family Insurance, supports teen safe driving with a program that instructs teens about safe driving using cameras that record risky behavior. It’s a free program for American Family customers. A video below shows the program in action.
Credits: ‘Texting: The New Heroin Shirt‘ is available from Cafe Press. Commandments are based in large part on a circa 2005 post entitled ‘Top 10 list of SMS etiquette’ published by TheFeature.com, a site that (like the iGo) was ahead of its time, but is now defunct. Like all good commandments, they endured the test of time. The 9th commandment was wholely mine after witnessing unseemly behavior.
About Troy Janisch