When texting via instant messaging or social media platforms, people are often engaged in other activities, and therefore, their attention is diverted, causing them to be less present. (The Good Brigade/Getty Images)
Digital communication is a convenient and quick way to engage with other people, and while emojis can be fun and playful, this form of communication lacks tone, social cues and body language. This can lead to many misunderstandings and messages being missed over texts and even voice notes. A therapist explains this phenomenon and the effect it has on our relationships.
It is hard to believe that the first text message was sent in 1992. A little over 30 years later, and most of us cannot live without this form of communication. It facilitates convenient and quick communication between friends and loved ones, and also keeps us connected to people who live abroad. The advantages of digital communication are endless, but like most things, there is a downside to it all.
When texting via instant messaging or social media platforms, people are often engaged in other activities and, therefore, their attention is diverted, causing them to be less present. Furthermore, in the absence of social cues and body language, miscommunications are more likely to take place.
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