We have had several posts on teens and technology, but just a quick note about instant messaging today. According to an article in Notre Dame Magazine published by the university, one study shows that symptoms of depression are diminished when students increase their instant messaging and email interaction. The same must be true of text messaging.
According to a student study conducted by Notre Dame linguistic anthropology professor Susan Blum, students prefer instant messaging over email or letter correspondence, but surprisingly prefer it even over phone conversations. IM and texting allow a young person to have numerous conversations over a short period of time and while doing other things. According to Blum, students are reveling in a world filled with quick exchanges which make them happy.
It is clear that texting and other computer interactions alleviate the ennui that contributes to feelings of meaningless, disassociation, and depression. This is a positive side to all those little fingers flying across the keyboards of cell phones and laptops. I am left wondering , though, what is happening to the teens without a computer or cell phone, or the ones hopelessly checking to see if even one new message has come through?
For more information on Dr. Blum's report, see www.nd.edu/~sblum/InstantMessaging.pdf
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