Natural Progression: Teens prefer online to face to face talking

No that's not me, and not her.

  I was talking with (OK, mostly listening to, given the circumstances) my dental hygienist this morning about how kids communicate with each other. Her daughter apparently is one of the majority who would rather text than talk face to face.

   Then I came across a study on that very topic later in the day: 
            

"It’s no secret that teenagers today are glued to their devices.

But according to a new study, most now even say they’d rather talk to their friends online than see them in person.

A survey conducted this year of more than 1,000 kids aged 13 to 17 found that texting outpaces face-to-face communication, in a dramatic shift from responses just a few years ago.

     The new study from Common Sense Media is a follow-up to the group’s previous research in 2012.

     As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the two studies show just how much things have changed in the ways teens approach their friendships and online interactions.

     According to the study, 35 percent of teenagers consider texting their top choice for communicating with their friends.

     This is followed by in-person communication, with 32 percent favoring it.

     Back in 2012, however, face-to-face conversations were the favorite by far, with 49 percent of responders choosing it as their top method, compared to just 33 percent who chose texting.

     The survey also found that a staggering 70 percent of teens say they’re on social media multiple times a day, with 16 percent admitting they’re on ‘almost constantly.’ "

                           Read the full story in The Daily Mail HERE.