Meaningful Human Relationships & Engagement - in a Digital Age?

     "A lot of people don't talk directly to people anymore, they just text them. I think it is kind of creating another life behind screens. The thing is when you text or message someone, it's almost different than when you talk to them face-to-face. When I talk to my friends online, and them I meet them - it's like awkward, because I don't feel as comfortable to say as much as I normally do online." 14yo student interviewed by Pauline Dakin.
     Face-to-face, & even phone conversations are becoming rare, awkward, & anxiety-provoking, particularly among those under 35. 
     How in-depth & meaningful are online "conversations" (& relationships)? 
     What is the impact of having no relief from digital distraction during most of one's waking life? We're running an uncontrolled human experiment right now - no ethics approval, no informed consents.

      Listen to Pauline Dakin's 2-part CBC Radio program, "Re-Wiring Our Kids": http://www.cbc.ca/atlanticvoice/

       Also see: http://mindfulnessforeveryone.blogspot.ca/2013/07/360-technology-must-be-balanced-with.html
     and: http://www.johnlovas.com/2014/01/gotta-serve-somebody-something-or-wake.html

attributed to Carrie Miller