In many ways, digital forms of written communication have improved the effectiveness and efficiency over older analog methods. A message to a family member, friend, or colleague can be generated quickly on any computing platform or mobile device, and delivered almost instantaneously after it is completed. It is no longer necessary to wait for several days to receive correspondence via postal mail.
Starting at a young age, children access and utilize email and instant messaging as an integral part of their daily communication. It is important to teach children that unlike handwritten communication, digital communication lacks a certain attentiveness to the conveyance of emotion. With older handwritten communication, people would often take time to ensure that the message they conveyed was clear, often revising a letter into several drafts. Since digital mediums are rapid in nature, messages are often typed quickly, and sent before the message is structured in a way that properly conveys its message.
It is extremely hard to gauge the tone of a message when it is sent digitally. Handwritten communication, on the contrary can often convey messages with a feel for emotion and purpose. Although both modes of communication lack the body language present in face-to-face communication, elements such as handwriting style and revision process often make analog writing more effective.
Instant messaging began to gain popularity in the late 90's. An evolved form or IRC chats, messages can be traded back and forth rapidly between users. One danger of this medium is the speed and frequency of how messages can be exchanged. In face-to-face communication, manners dictate that we let the other party finish their thought prior to interjecting ours. IM conversations often show users typing responses at the same time, in effect stepping on each others thoughts.
Due to the difficulty of conveying tone in digital messaging, feelings can often be unintentionally hurt. There is no "cooling-off" period that there has traditionally been with handwritten letters and even phone calls. Rather than reading a letter and properly digesting its intent, followed by taking the time to formulate a well-thought-out response, people fire back quick IM replies, often escalating tension that should have never existed.
I find myself often choosing email or IM as a preferred mode of communication. It is quicker and many times more convenient that our older analog ways. However, I often long for what seems the simplicity of the analog lifestyle we are rapidly losing. Rather than typing an email to family, I really should pick up the phone and call. I think many readers would admit feeling the same way.
We need to convey to our children that digital written communication is a very effective tool, that when used properly can be very beneficial. Talking with them, and working with them to properly convey tone and purpose in their digital communications will help them become effective communicators. Teach them to be listeners. As in spoken conversation, you cannot hear someone else if you are talking at the same time.
The media recently inundates us with stories about cyber-stalking and cyber-bullying. Teach your children that there are proper ways to deal with threats and danger that arrive via a digital medium. Teach children the warning signs of these problems. Coach them to embrace their parents or trusted adults when they in any way feel threatened via digital communications. Teach them not to divulge private information in email and instant messages, as there is no way to tell who is looking at the message on the other end. There are several great resources available to parents and educators that discuss methods for children to protect themselves, including the Cyberbullying Resource Center and Microsoft Online Safety.
Tomorrow we will continue this series with a discussion on Social Media.
I welcome your comments and will continue to expand upon topics related to online safety on a regular basis.
If you enjoyed this story, please join my Email Newsletter!
Other posts in this series:
