[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The swift vibration in my pocket and the illuminated screen shows the latest text: “Will you go out with me?”

My thumbs move quickly to reply: “Ask me in person.”

In middle school, I received a text similar to this one. At the time, this simple text filled me with butterflies as I realized the possibility of a new relationship. However, looking back on this evasion of real conversation makes me realize that resorting to a message by phone just shows cowardice.

Texting is the language of teenagers, which may explain why these types of conversations happen often. However, some social interactions, especially relationships, are meant to be in person, without a phone or tablet to hide behind. This generation uses bright screens and small letters to replace necessary face-to-face communication and, in the process, loses important life skills.

I wanted to actually hear the words “Will you go out with me?” I gave every clue that that the guy on the receiving end of my text was not taking a risk and would not be hurt by my answer. He just had to say it to my face. I waited expectantly for his response and the reluctant agreement finally came.

Asking someone out and hearing a no may hurt your pride temporarily, but seeing “Let’s break up” on a screen hurts your previous crush even more. The “dumpee” deserves the chance to respond and talk it through. Without this face-to-face conversation, all feelings of closure are lost meaning nights of eating ice cream out of the carton as tissues scatter the floor.

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A few weeks later, the title of boyfriend and girlfriend vanished as the “Will you go out with me?” text was replaced with a “We should break up” message. Surprise, surprise: the breakup statement was typed and followed by the signature ‘whoosh’ of a sent imessage. I probably sent a simple “okay” out of shock and for a lack of better words. No tears were wasted over my short middle school relationship, but I felt cheated out of a real conversation and an opportunity to ask why. The opportunity to learn from possible mistakes I made was ripped away, all thanks to the boyfriend who could not face me and utter the words himself.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Not only is this reliance on technology a problem for our generation, but the next one as well. Our social standards have changed. Younger siblings are now picking up the idea that technology can be used for all reasons and at any time. Ten year olds with smartphones text at dinner, an unspeakable crime in earlier years. They have no problem with sending a simple breakup text.

If this trend continues, technology as a whole will swallow up important human interaction. Who knows, maybe the iPhone 10s will replace hugs or turn into a real life version of “Her.”

The key tradition of in-person communication is losing ground against small screens and quick thumbs. Manners and respect must be preserved to save the feelings of the person on the other end of the text. Conjuring up these qualities may even raise your chances of having a yes slip by your ear. The art of communication is slowly being replaced by a reliance on technology, but there is still time to turn it around.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]