Millennials. Generation Y. Peter Pan Generation. Whichever moniker you ascribe to today’s young adults, certain defining characteristics exist that unify our generation.
According to author Jean Twenge, Millennials tend to be more confident and tolerant than nearly any other generation. There are more tangible, material characteristics that set Millennials apart, as well. Most of us will graduate college with the highest rate of student loan debt this country has ever seen, the highest rate of recent college graduate unemployment, and the greatest exposure to technology. In fact, it was found that 94% of Millennials had a personal cell phone beginning early in high school, and that 76% of the cell phone owning youth participated in some form of instant messaging, such as texting (Junco and Mastrodicasa).
Beginning at age 13, I can recall communicating with friends frequently in this Millennial-defining manner. I remember the constant competition among my peers for having the newest, trendiest cell phone in middle school, and the race to keep up with the latest iPhone that has carried on since the release of the first model.
Along with the “latest and greatest” competition, youth cell phone ownership brought in a revolution in the way our generation makes plans, gathers information, and communicates. Once we grew old enough for cell phones, a whole new world unfurled before us. Today, it is hard to recall what life was like before everyone had a phone, but rather tempting to imagine what life would be like if everyone did not have one, and communicated in a more traditional, personal manner.
I must admit, cell phones have provided many benefits: the convenience of being able to contact nearly anyone from almost anywhere makes relaying information much quicker, and is very helpful in emergency situations. Social media, too, despite its many faux pas in recent years, has enabled us to keep in touch with family and friends in a much more time and cost effective way.
I feel that is it important that we ask ourselves, however, what is the cost of this convenience? Some may argue that cell phone usage has led to an overall increase in interpersonal communication, and they may very well be correct, as far as numbers go. If you look around in nearly any public setting, you will notice many people engaging with their cell phones, some paying closer attention to what is on the screen than where they are walking. In social settings, you will notice many people on their phones instead of engaging with their companions. This is not interpersonal communication.
Cell phones allow us an easy out in awkward situations – it is not uncommon to reach for one's phone when there is a break in the conversation. Cell phones have become a crutch. Though they are wonderful for facilitating relationships and plans, cell phones should have no place in in-person conversations. There is little face-to-face communication in many face-to-face interactions. It's time to switch our phones to “do not disturb” and enjoy the company of the people in front of us.
